Curcao

[Captain Kong]

We were in Curacao ont the T2 Tanker, TECTUS, Shell running six times up the Maracaibo lakes,
Then we had orders to load for Trincomalee out east, They said once a Shell tanker goes out east your there for two years, so Two Firemen jumped,
I went Fireman /Watertender for the rest of the voyage, a Very easy job, just change the tips once a watch and watch the water levels.
We went to Trinco, up the Gulf to load and then to Thameshaven, six weeks,
A few months later I met one of the Firemen outside the Pool in Liverpool, He was amazed that we were home.
He looked like a Skeleton, He told me that in Gaol in Curacao you had to buy your own food, they had no money so they starved for a few weeks and nearly died,. until the British Consul found them and then he got them out and sent them home.
Cheers
Brian

[Ivan Cloherty]

I wonder how many of those 16,000 are actually British ?, "I'm just saying". JC

On the Stats it just describes them as 'British Registered Seamen' so guess they could be anybody and not indigenous populace, there are only 300 vessels over 100 GRT currently registered under the Red Ensign, haven't got the breakdown I'm afraid, but guessing not many will be cargo vessels

[j.sabourn]

Tugs of all classes, and mostly oil related special vessels I would imagine Ivan. The British MN as such no longer exists no matter what the politicians say to the contrary. They should know as were the cause of it. A hard way of getting an estimate would be to count all the rigs and structures in the British sector of the North Sea, allow 1 British supply boat for each and one safety vessel. Although this would be a very rough estimate as the likes of BP and other British companies seemed to give preference to other European countries vessels, this was 30 years ago now. Count the vessels run by the likes of Star offshore who at one time had a heap of converted Fishing Vessels the same as some of the ex Lowestoft fishing companies, think the likes of Harrisons of Glasgow still have supply vessels, as well as a few others think these will account in numbers to what stated. 300 vessels maybe a bit optimistic. Cheers JS

[happy daze john in oz]

With what we knew as the British Merchant Navy now gone it is amazing how many ships now still fly the Red Ensign.

All registered in the Bahamas but as it is still a British Protectorate they are allowed to continue flying the flag.

It gives those who know no better the wrong impression.

But on one cruise I heard a lady say,' never knew Scotland had so many ships'.
The reason, all registered in Hamilton.