N. Sea Collision

[happy daze john in oz]

Then what is the situation going through Suez when a crew for lights etc came on board.
Who is in control there, from what i recall they had almost total control over the ship all the time on board.

[James Curry]

I would say although it is compulsory pilotage, it is the Master who is still held responsible.

Let's face it when the container ship Evergreen Given got stuck across the canal and closed it for several days it was not the Suez Canal state owned company that footed the bill or compensation claims.

[James Curry]

Anyway back to the North Sea Collision. Anyone know what is going on with the Solong ? news has ground to a halt here. Has the fire been put out, has she been taken on tow. Some experts said she would sink?

[j.sabourn]

#61 They were there John probably hoping for a square meal ? What I remember of them they were only there for the searchlight and for the pilots convenience if had to tie up or any other emergency . Ship was under control of the master. How much did it cost the shipowner with the last blockage of the canal by the container vessel and which one reporter insisted on calling a tanker. JS
The Panama Canal was a different situation those mules in the locks used to get hungry ? The Panama Canal was an extremely important waterway and still is and would be a target for any terrorist or country wishing harm to the USA as well as other countries. The Panama Canal is the only waterway I knew which had such rules as they used to have but any port under naval control one does what one is told. Otherwise you ain’t going anywhere Cheers JS

[happy daze john in oz]

Yes recall having to feed the 'light men' going through Suez.
But the cheif steward was in love with the cook, a one way deal, so he showed the pot of stew to the light men and in it he had put a ham bone.
Poor bloody cook they wanted to klll him but he was smart and locked himself away in the chain locker until they left the ship.

[James Curry]

First request from the Suez canal crew , I want 200 Red Marlbro, next was I need electrician , and also some batteries.
Funniest thing concerning a suez canal light, we were a new ship so had our own light. Never been used so decided to see if it worked. The ETO was an x R/O gets the light out and rigged switched it on worked first time. He said it was getting very hot, go figure!!!. He found a plug (for draining any water) so he has an idea to fit a deck airline and crack open the air to supply cooling air. BIG problem he could get the air in but not out. BANG !!! blew the light to bits breaking the glass front anfd shattering the bulb. Think all them years of listening to morse addled his brain. Tuened out regardless if you had your own light or not you still had to have a canal light and crew for the transit.

[Tony Taylor]

First request from the Suez canal crew , I want 200 Red Marlbro, next was I need electrician , and also some batteries.
Funniest thing concerning a suez canal light, we were a new ship so had our own light. Never been used so decided to see if it worked. The ETO was an x R/O gets the light out and rigged switched it on worked first time. He said it was getting very hot, go figure!!!. He found a plug (for draining any water) so he has an idea to fit a deck airline and crack open the air to supply cooling air. BIG problem he could get the air in but not out. BANG !!! blew the light to bits breaking the glass front anfd shattering the bulb. Think all them years of listening to morse addled his brain. Tuened out regardless if you had your own light or not you still had to have a canal light and crew for the transit.

sounds like he was a bit dim

[Johnny Kieran]

I only remember these guy's as "Boat men" with their rowing boat on the deck ready to row ashore with ropes in an emergency. During their stay aboard, they tried to nick anything they could, they were trying every door. Once, one even asked me to show him my white **** while he cleaned his nails with a huge knife. He said "you brown all over, what colour you down there?" One of the older blokes soon had him running for safety. He then gave me a lecture on Arab geezers and their sexual preferences. I still consider Arabs in the same light. I suppose that's how the term "Bumboat Men" came about?

[j.sabourn]

Or the well known saying of theirs “ me all same as Queen Victoria , all red inside “. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

Then the pirates who came along side in a Dhow.
Amazing how hot salt water moves them on.
Something about a regular wash maybe?