What is a third officer?

[j.sabourn]

Those were all in byegone days Des my immediate thoughts on the subject were immediately after the strike and whilst still in locks in Port Talbot there were 2 on a watch. It was stated officially that if the ship had automatic steering and communication with the messroom by bell or phone this was permissible , not too long after this am not sure as I was gone to friendlier climes there was only 1 seaman on a watch which persists to this day . All under the good auspices of the demanning of vessels . I did at one time ask some official about tying up the vessel and letting go , ship maintainance etc etc. I was assured that extra labour would be put on vessel if required , I must be honest and say I never saw any such used, perhaps I wasn’t there long enough . Cheers JS

[j.sabourn]

Some of those poor much abused 3 mates , I am sure I heard some of them singing or whistling — The working class can kiss my Ass I’ve got the 3rd. Mates job at last . Every trip wanted to check the lifeboats , had the best sun tans on the ship , sure they laid down in /on bottom boards of the boats sun bathing and making overtime to spend in the first available honkey tonks showing off their sunburn to the girls . JS

[cappy]

to whom are you asking the question, please bring a little more clarity into your posts, it may prove beneficial for yourself as well as others

log him ivan log him ......then double dr......lol.....r683532

[Mo Docherty]

Des,you got it fella,good on you.

[Keith Tindell]

On the short fruit boats down the Med, McAndrews, always liked the 4-8 watch, 6 hrs a day overtime, could keep that up for a few trips, then pay off with a wadd, knackered, but an enjoyable break, then back to the pool.

[Fouro]

Were 3rd mates permitted to telegraph the engineroom during màneuvers.

Fouro.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Were 3rd mates permitted to telegraph the engineroom during màneuvers.

Fouro.

That was part of the 3/m's job, as well as keeping the movement book which recorded every telegraph instruction,it also noted pilots name(s) times of boarding /disembarking, tug(s) names and positions when made fast and when let go, passing way points and many other things; it was a book together with scrap log books could win you, or lose you, a court case or maritime dispute with charterers or others

[Mo Docherty]

Gone is old tradition of watchmen reporting,' LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT'

[j.sabourn]

That served two purposes 1. That the lights were at least burning bright as stated.and 2. That he was awake and not asleep. A third one to make sure of alertness was that every bell rang from the Bridge was answered by the lookout on the focsle head. Even the one bell rang 15 minutes before the end of the watch. As no bells are used at sea today to let people know what time it is . The international rules for fog are still used so the bell is still used , also used when anchoring or unmooring to let the bridge know how much cable out. JS

[j.sabourn]

#27 Also sometimes known as the Bell Book Ivan. 0n longer pilotages where just normal sea watches were maintained kept by whoever was on watch .was a very important document when was involved in a collision in the River Plate think it was 1962 with the Dutch Passenger ship the Rhuys. Another bit of trauma ,but no deaths resulted from.It was the first document looked for by the shore authority’s together with the ER movement book. JS