The royal navy navigation way

[j.sabourn]

#32 I wonder if the quarantine anchorage there marked by the Q buoy , and was the first thing waterside that I remember, has seen much usage the past nearly 2 years now ? Cheers JS

[Keith Adams]

Not sure if this quote appeared on this site or another ?
MN Sailor to RN Sailor leaving a bar to join his ship, about to sail; “You look after the ports and we will look after the seas”. I have a son who served 7 years on the USN “MIDWAY”, a nephew who served on the USN “NEW JERSEY”and my sister was a WRN (Wren), so done jump all over me — i still think it a funny quote !
When on “OXFORDSHIRE” (Trooping) meeting a RN vessel, mostly in the Mediterranean in daylight, with just me on the bridge with 2 QM’s, a Bridge Boy and a Bridge Walla. I know what is coming — a “J” hoist, “I want to communicate by Semaphore” a Morse lamp blinking “AA, AA” and some times simultaneous International Code Flag hoist. I already had a little Morse lamp rigged on the port wing and answered with that, while ignoring all the other stuff. Surely they were trained to know a merchant vessel’s limited Bridge Watch capability was. Was on the “OXFORDSHIRE” for a year so this happened a number of times. I always wanted to hoist a simple “4Q”
Code Flag hoist and just go on my merry way, dodging other traffic or taking bearings. Sadly, I lacked the courage.
Did get my own back on one trip when a couple of RN sailors were aboard for Aden. Very respectfully came to the Bridge during outbound Biscay leg and asked if they could please do some signal chores occasionally. I was really chuffed and got permission from Capt Fitch to have them up on the Monkey Island as needed. They were actually a team of four and old hands as well. Joined me every afternoon watch to familiarize with our limited equipment and got in some Bronzy as well. The Gib signal station was great fun … and must have thought i was brilliant ! Anyway, we did meet a few warships en route, which got the surprise of their lives when my little crew hit them with everything requesting to practice signals. Great fun !
In Aden there was one USN Destroyer tied up and a RN Destroyer at the buoys; we anchored. In addition to the regular flags, the USN vessel had a white pennant hoist “SECOND TO NONE”. The RN vessel sailed just before us later that same day, proudly steamed past flying a similar size white pennant “NONE”. I thought that was choice, a real One up ! Even though i am now a Yank I am still proud of the joke. “Snowy”

[Bill Morrison]

#31 Aberdeen. For example imagine 4 ships lying abreast of each other alongside a Quay and the quayside vessel wants out to go to another Quay where another 4 ships are in the same order . That means 8 vessels on the move in a very small area at the same time. This could happen many times in the day. Going in and out of the Port was no hardship in comparison . JS

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#32.. Thanks Colin. JS

One for your memory John. Not so busy these days and the GREENS want to stop all oil exploration. You can now get a pilotage exemption when you complete the simulator course to their satisfaction. Best viewed with no sound.
Bill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUzZbd28hkw

[j.sabourn]

Recognise some of those pipe carriers from 3 years ago Bill when was up there then. Will make a big difference now I suppose with not having any restrictions as to having pilots . Thanks for the memories . JS

[Kenneth Crawford]

I rather take exception to:

'Precision is the order of the day: whereas a civilian sailor might bring their ship into port by glancing at navigation buoys and steering as required so they don't bump into anything, the Royal Navy plans every single turn and straight leg and speed with military precision.'

I lived in Plymouth for about 10 years. During that time, the Royal Navy hit the Torpoint ferry twice. The ferry has a little difficulty maneuvering, as it pulls itself across the river using chains laid on the river bed. And has been doing so since 1832. The ferry service actually started in 1791, so the Navy has had good time to get used to it.

I was at sea for 50 years and didn't 'bump into' anything.

T*ssers.

[happy daze john in oz]

Speaking of the GREENS, our nutters here want the gov to reduce spending on national security by half.
They say if China or any other country trys to invade we should sit down with them and talk about it not stand up to them.
You just would not read about it.