Where ships go to die

[Doc Vernon]

One from our Shipmate Neil Morton,requsted it be put on site.
Thanks Neil
Cheers

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/technolo...-1226894839476

Also scroll down the page to watch the Video!

[Lou Barron]

Very interesting I wander if the find any loot hidden by ex crew members hidden from the customs ???

[happy daze john in oz]

There was a time when the expected life of a ship at sea was about 30 years, though there were a few, Windsor Castle 45 years, that went on a bit longer.
But today what is the expected life, how many ships are scrapped each yaer and who is building the new ones, not UK.

[Ivan Cloherty]

John, according to the information I have, China is set to deliver 2300 Ocean and coastal vessels under the Chinese flag over the next five years, this excludes the ships they are building for non Chinese owners. Add then add the Korean and Japanese yards, also the Brazilian and USA, looks like we have missed the boat (pardon the pun).

Having taken a couple of ships to the breakers yard, I can tell you it is a heart breaking situation no matter how much you had cursed them during their operating life, it just didn't seem right, better they had died a natural death at sea, as long as everyone was safe, sentimental crap and highly impracticable I know, but that's the way I felt when I saw ships being torn apart, was like watching someone being murdered.

[j.sabourn]

Thinking back Ivan there were many a ship we cursed at the time, but some of the worse I have been on kept us afloat besides being cursed with such verocity. Standing on such vessels and sometimes leaving port after a long overstayed welcome (would never happen nowadays) to feel the vibrations going through your feet through the steel plates as the engines were started up and you knew you would soon be clear of all the shore dirt and grime. Some of us may have been suffering bad heads, others hoping to get away from a disgruntled husband or Father, or hoping to get away before any police car appeared on the jetty as couldnt remember the result of the fracas in the local hostelry last night, all wanting to get away for various reasons. Knowing that once back at sea were untouchable and could get back to normal living once again. The log book was certainly better in some cases than remaining, until next time another port another scenario, but usually the same results. The ocean was always an escape exit apart from being a hard taskmaster. I envy the chinese with all their new tonnage which will supply many chinese with a worthwhile career for their lifetime. Ours was given away. Cheers John S

[cappy]

remember on a long run from canada to oz .....cargo of timber ...a fine smell of pine .....day after day in routine could have stayed at sea forever day after day....never had that peace since in my life

[gray_marian]

#1, I find it obscene the conditions these men have to endure to earn a wage. Life is cheap right enough. I would have thought in this day and age technology could have been introduced in the dismantling of old ships? Or is it down to costs which no one wants be held accountable for?

[cappy]

but marion ...we used to do the breaking of ships here ...they undercut us ,,,,,,this is what makes the world go round ......yes its sad but it is the way of things and will never cannot change regards cappy ......if we had to do it to feed our families or see them starve what would we do ......love cappy

[gray_marian]

#8, I do appreciate and understand what your telling me Cappy, so it's down to cost and "man's inhumanity to man"

[cappy]

yes marion and we do it.....for the love of our women.......love cappy