I joined in July 1965, freshly qualified as a 2nd Class Steam Engineer at the age of 23. I remained in service until March 1971, completing my last trip as Second Engineer on the SA Vaal at age 29.

During those six years, I sailed on 17 different ships: 9 with Clan Line, 1 with Bowaters, 6 with Union Castle, and 1 with Safmarine. I had three separate assignments on the SA Vaal, totaling nine voyages. On a return trip from Cape Town in early December 1970, we lost a propeller blade from the starboard engine south of the Canary Islands, resulting in a one-day delay arriving in Southampton.

I also completed seven consecutive voyages on the Good Hope Castle, finishing my time there as First Engineer. During this period, I experienced a tragic accommodation fire that resulted in loss of life.

Throughout my maritime career, I met and worked with many wonderful people—though sadly, fewer remain today.

After my time at sea, I transitioned to a maintenance engineer role with Shellstar at a fertilizer complex, initially as Ammonia Plant Supervisor. I later became the Rotating Equipment Maintenance Supervisor for the site, where I worked for 13 years before leaving.

Missing the travel, I took on the role of Field Mechanical Engineer for Air Products, a manufacturer of cryogenic gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, helium, and hydrogen, along with related equipment. This role involved working across the UK and Europe.

Eventually, I advanced to UK and Ireland Maintenance Manager and then to European Maintenance Manager, with offices based in Ellesmere Port and Rotterdam. Additionally, I served as the Refurbishing Manager for all cryogenic machinery across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.