Shore Leave in the USA

[John Arton]

This appeared in Maritime News and shows that any seafarer wishing to be granted shore leave whilst in the States, faces many hurdles and the latest travel ban on certain people is causing even more hassle.
Seafarer’S Shore Leave, Travel Bans … And The Big
rgds
JA

[Ivan Cloherty]

This appeared in Maritime News and shows that any seafarer wishing to be granted shore leave whilst in the States, faces many hurdles and the latest travel ban on certain people is causing even more hassle.
Seafarer’S Shore Leave, Travel Bans … And The Big
rgds
JA

Remember in/post McArthurism I had trouble getting shore leave in USA because my name and my father's name was Ivan, interviewed once for two hours, I was 16, a real threat to USA citizens

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John.
I don't think it is any different for seamen now than it was when I went there, in 49 in Galveston had to go through all the questions and answers before we were allowed ashore.
Then was up in Baton Rouge in the 50s, armed guard on the Gangway to stop a firemen going ashore because he refused to answer Questions, he had spent a month in an open boat after being torpedoed and told the immigration official to get stuffed, so what's new, I bet the luvies don't know about those days otherwise they would be out in force.
Cheers Des

redc.gif

[j.sabourn]

Most on here have seen it all before, The McCarthy era and reds under the bed. The Argentine had to have special passes with photo on, Japan special shore passes, although suspect that one was to distinguish us from AWOL GI"s to the shore patrols. Germany believe if remember had to have shore passes as well as all the communist countries. Is nothing new and is easy to live with, and if it contains one ISIS scumbag is well worth it. Cheers JS

[john walker]

I was on a Hong Kong flagged vessel in the 80's that had a mainland crew (Communist) as opposed to H.K. crew we were doing a regular run of Loading in Baton Rouge and discharging in Bilbao. Two of the crew were not allowed to land in Baton rouge and we had guards on the key to stop them. On the third visit there, they just borrowed two other seaman's passes from their mates and waked down the gangway. Showed them to the guard and proceeded ashore. When they returned to the ship the captain read the crew the riot act as the consequences of that little jolly could have cost the ship a huge fine and probably the loss of the charter.

[j.sabourn]

Have seen practically everyone of a Chinese crew jump in Newark. We had to employ Pinkertons to supply guards to ship. There was a 10,000 dollar bond on every chinaman in the crew. Years later when in Hong Kong on another ship received an invitation to sup with one of the big taipahs in H.K. from the Bosun who had jumped ship in earlier years. Cheers JS

[happy daze john in oz]

There were many countries where going ashore was almost impossible.
We had a one day stop at a port in China in 1964. No going ashore, armed guards on the gangway, but looking at the people working it did not look as if we would miss anything by not going off.

[Colin Wood]

Had more problems with the Septics than with the celestials.
First trip we get to LA and have to have a 'short arm' inspection, a fireman taken ashore for questioning, turns out he was a Latvian and had been frogmarched onto a Russian ship during the war. Ashore for 28hours and came back and tried to commit suicide. Couple of trips later in La all presented for short arm and 1 crew missing. All hell let loose, where was this man. He appeared up the gangway a short time later having gone up the road to buy some stores. It was Old Bill who was going to be night watchman. Luckily the gendames on this occasion had a sense of humour. This was not so on another occasion in the Puget sound where we were having the 3rd. inspection in 24 hours at about 0200 when one crew remarked that they should do this when we left the US not on arrival. Guard got uppity and walked off so no work until 0800.
At least in china they took you to the 'Club' only polace you were allowed.

[Ivan Cloherty]

There were many countries where going ashore was almost impossible.
We had a one day stop at a port in China in 1964. No going ashore, armed guards on the gangway, but looking at the people working it did not look as if we would miss anything by not going off.

In Mainland China 50/60's I had to have an armed guard with me to read the draught fore and aft everyday and also had to show my pass to the guard at the bottom of the gangway when leaving and reboarding and I'd had my personal escort with me at all times...............happy days!

[j.sabourn]

Last time in Shanghai was in the middle of the river at a buoy mooring, if I had walked on water to read the draft, wonder if they would have clapped or what. Plenty of boats to run one ashore paid by the great Chinese Republic. But mainly the Seamans and Tourist place the only place worth going, although did get taken to the Chinese opera and one of the peoples Farm Communities. Absolutely a different place today I believe from people I know who travel there on business. Ivan they probably thought you were a Russian Spy when they saw the crew list. Cheers JS