Big changes little changes , but ones that stick in the mind.

[Shaun Gander]

Carbon technochloride which had been used for years suddenly disappearing from the sphere of use as was discovered it could be harmful to your health. JS
Lifebuoys suddenly appearing as no longer canvas covered kapok painted red and white , but one complete moulding painted high luminosity orange,
JS

We have have a red and white one the wife tracked down and customized to our wedding on the Queen Mary for a present

SDG

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Re. Blue Peter unless your referring to the kids tv show, the last time I looked at ithe international code of signals well over 20 years go, was still then when flown in port meant “ all persons are to return on board as vessel is about to go to sea” P could also be flashed at night at a ship to indicate his lights were out or burning badly.. Today may be different ? Maybe they pull the flag up at night and shine the aldis. On the flag. ? Cheers JS

I seem to recall from my childhood that the tv show raised a lot of money for the RNLI and provided several inshore boats.

SDG

[j.sabourn]

Anyone remember when the present day lifejacket was incorporated into the MSA, must have been about the 60s ?
Have faint memories of the proposer of the Bill in parliament being accused by the press of having shares in the company who were going to produce this huge money earner at the time. ? JS

[happy daze john in oz]

Life jackets.
Though boat drill is compulsory for all on a cruise the taking of the life jacket to the drill is no longer a requirement.
Apparently there have been a number of accidents with people ripping over the strings on them.

But I had to pull one crew member up when he said you must put the jacket on before you jump into the water.
I pointed out that umping wearing one can be very dangerous, hit the water from a few decks up wearing one and risk breaking your neck.
He then rephrased the statement.

But no doubt in a genuine emergency some would do just that not understanding the danger in doing so.

[Shaun Gander]

Our crew are supposed to do a demo on every trip. One of my beefs is some are too lazy and don't bother BUT just like when flying some people think they are too important not to pay attention and listen, they will be the first to complain when something goes wrong and they don't know what to do.

If I do the brief I keep it short and brief as most aren't listening or talking over me. We have some crew who do a really good funny brief and get applause. There are some good airline ones out there too.

For survival suit drills I always picked the most obstructive or the least interested to put it on. The USCG has a 2 minute requirement - I have never had anyone who could do it .

I know it's a personal beef and I keep saying it but safety, safety, safety ALL the time! I want to go home to my wife and dog and want you to do the same but so many just 'flip' me off over it.

Sorry for the rant.

SDG

[Shaun Gander]

I also remember a flight back to the UK when I was flying helicopters. I had the middle row exit seat, a pilot in uniform had the window seat. He was so arrogant to argue with the cabin crew over reading a newspaper during the safety brief. We got into an argument over how he was disrespecting the crew and should be removed from a safety critical seat. The purser got involved and he was removed from the seat.

SDG