As time goes by

[James Curry]

Not the shipping forecast. I was talking to a friend I sailed with in the BP LNG fleet. A lovely girl who was 2nd mate onboard at the time.
She was telling me it was 20 years ago since we sailed together. The ship was British Merchant and became known as the love boat lol.
She recently had her birthday and it was also her wedding anniversary ,16 years since her and the second engineer tied the knot (hence the love boat)
I did about 4 years on that ship, loved it best accommodation I have ever had, I was Gas engineer also the best job I ever had.
20 years , life is a blink

[Doc Vernon]

Good Memories James , like many here i guess that have had some of their own, myself included!
But your story header reminds me of the Show of that name , which i always watch when its on the Box.
I really think its so down to Earth and quite real, with the two Actors playing their Roles so well.
Love Judy Dench and Geoffrey Palmer! ( Jean and Lionel)

Yes time does go by so very fast indeed!
Now almost 58 Years since i got hitched , and would have been over 62 if i had stayed with the first one ! Gosh!!
Cheers,

[J Gowers]

Hi James I was also Gas Engineer with BP on the Gas Enterprise (LPG carrier) in the late 80s one of the most interesting jobs I did at sea, unfortunatly the engine room was a disaster with Piestick engines. The ship had been French and built in France and the accommodation was the best I have every sailed on. I was new to the job but the mate Ken Fraser (Ex Souters) who was very experienced with Gas Tankers kept me on the straight and narrow. The only problem was never getting ashore as the Gas Engineer was pretty busy when loading and discharging. It was Bermuda flag and we were working through Wallems IOM on a dollar contract. The ship ended up going up the gulf for a cargo and and my trip was cut short as most of us refused to go and were paid off in Fujairah, it was the time when ships were getting hit with exocet missiles. The photo below shows a happy bunch of guys getting off before she went into a war zone. After the Gas Enterprise I stayed with BP and went to the British Trent, as 2/E and this was the best ship I was every on, good ship, great bunch of guys, and quite a few runs up the road.

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[James Curry]

Was she anchored up off Peru ? I am sure when I was with Bibby LPG we did a ship to ship transfer, us to you, It was either the Lincolnshire or the Staffordshire. Think we had a darts match and a few beers in the bar. I do reemember getting a tour of the engineer room. What with Pielstick engines and
Crepelle gennies that must have been a floating hell. Do remember though she was spotless down below.I was 3rd eng at the time.