New Boy

[Kevin Trott]

Hello everybody,
I joined last week but hesitated to post anything because, to be honest, after reading some of the posts from long-serving members, my own brief service feels a bit 'inadequate'. I sailed as a DHU in the 1970s, first with P&O's Oriana and later with Sealink's 'Essex Ferry' but did not complete my EDH certificate. I still, however, consider myself a former Merchant Seaman - albeit of brief service - and have strong emotional links to the sea, ships and all who have served.
My father, Bernie Trott, (whose career at sea inspired me to at least 'give it a go') is a different story: from a Boy at Vindicatrix in 1943, he sailed on the Atlantic convoys during WW2; he then went on to have a 20 year-long career with several major shipping comapnies until ill-health forced him to, very reluctantly, come ashore. In 1973, after 10 restless years, he tried again and gained a position with Atlantic Steam ferries operating out of Felixstowe where he stayed for 14 years until he finally retired.
Looking forward to being a member of this site and reading everybodys stories. Perhaps even catching up with people who might remember me or Dad.

[Ivan Cloherty]

[QUOTE=Kevin Trott;435977]Hello everybody,
I joined last week but hesitated to post anything because, to be honest, after reading some of the posts from long-serving members, my own brief service feels a bit 'inadequate'. I sailed as a DHU in the 1970s, first with P&O's Oriana and later with Sealink's 'Essex Ferry' but did not complete my EDH certificate. I still, however, consider myself a former Merchant Seaman -
[/QUOTE

Doesn't matter how long you served, once you've been in the MN you're always in the MN. There is no other career can open your eyes like the MN does, or generates such fondness even though experiencing crap times occasionally.

You will have stories, even though you may not realise it! jump in and start

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Kevin
Like said by Ivan , no matter the time spent at Sea with the Merchant Navy, you are still one of us, so again as said fire way with a few of your own Stories!

PS Was your Dad perhaps from Somerset!

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Kevin.
Welcome to the site the best MN site there is. We had a DHU on site a few weeks ago who wrote about his first trip to sea, great story, you will find many ex Vindicatrix boys? on here so if you post the dates your Dad was there maybe there are still one or two around.