14th February 1972

At age 16 (turning 16 on 19th February), I enrolled at the N.S.T.S. in Gravesend, Kent.

9th June 1972

I joined my first ship, the cruise liner Reina Del Mar, as a Deck Boy in Southampton. The ship was owned by Union-Castle. I stayed on through my J.O.S., S.O.S., and then E.D.H.

7th May 1975

I joined the Good Hope Castle in Southampton.

17th December 1977 – 6th January 1978

I completed a trip on the Balmoral Castle.

16th January 1978

I joined the Table Bay, owned by O.C.L. but crewed and managed by Cayzer Irvine & Co. Ltd. By this time, I had accumulated enough sea time to obtain my A.B.s Certificate. The ship went to Hamburg for modifications and was renamed Zim Barcelona. I was promoted to Bosun’s Mate.

3rd May 1980

I joined the bulk carrier King George.

22nd October 1980

I joined the King William, sister ship to the King George. Later, I moved to the King Alfred, a smaller bulk carrier with 7 hatches instead of 9.

19th January 1982

I joined the Balmoral Universal for one trip.

7th August 1982

I returned to the King Alfred.

16th December 1982

I joined the Edinburgh Universal.

5th June 1983

I joined the tanker Scottish Eagle in the Falkland Islands, anchored off San Carlos Water. The tanker was basically used as a fueling station for Royal Navy ships—frigates, destroyers, R.F.As, and submarines all refueled from us. On one occasion, we had four Royal Navy ships alongside—two from the old patrol heading home, and two from the new patrol just arriving. The crews were transferring ordinance across our deck between the ships. To join the Scottish Eagle, I flew to Ascension Island and then took a 10-day ferry to the ship.

4th July 1984

I joined the Scottish Lion and circumnavigated the world on this voyage.

11th June 1986

I joined my first ferry, Thoresen Car Ferries’ Dragon. After that, I worked on various ferries including F E 5, Viking Valiant, Viking Trader, and Viking Viscount. While on the Viscount, we did a Ministry of Defence charter, code-named “Purple Warrior.” I also served on the Pride of Hampshire, Pride of Cherbourg, and others.

14th March 1990

I was promoted to Bosun and joined the European Trader. Later, I worked on the new Pride of Cherbourg (formerly Isle of Innisfree), as well as the Pride of Le Havre, Pride of Bilbao, and finally the Pride of York.

And I have enjoyed every moment of it.