World's largest cruise ships on trials

[Paul K]

Now there's a thread to evoke some memories.
I joined the Methane Progress as a first trip Deck Cadet in 1979 on the Canvey to Arzew run but mid trip we had a dry dock in St Nazaire.
I still have vivid memories of cold spotting in her ballast tanks for frost patches where the tank insulation had broken down. I knew the thing inside out by the time I paid off.
I also served on Alinda which was one of the Midships and Aft "A" class. Another very happy ship. Some very fond memories of time on Shell Ships.

Steve M

Steve, a fellow STUK man ! We were tied up on the next jetty to the Alinda in Europort in late 1975 and I went aboard to meet up with a college mate who was an engineer cadet on her. I shall be meeting up with him again at Newark Aviation Museum sometime next week, as it happens. I must dig out some of my old photos. Which other Shell tankers were you on ?

[Steve M]

Hi Paul

Between 1979 and 1983 I was on, Methane Progress, Erinna, Opalia, Alinda, Lima and Naticina. I qualified as 2nd Mate in 83 but like all others on my intake was made redundant as the fleet was shrinking.

I then turned to Policing for 30 years from which I retired 3 years ago in June.

Many happy memories from both

Regards, Steve

[Paul K]

Arianta twice, Halia twice, Serenia ( blech ! ), Acavus, Labiosa, Siam ( ex-Dorcasia ) twice, Lepeta, Northia, Gadinia, Geomitra twice, Genota. Got my 2/E steam ticket in Cardiff and my Chief's Part A in South Shields. Oh and I have the G-boat tee-shirt still, somewhere up in the loft ! I also took the redundancy cheque in 1987. Happy days ? A lot of them, but there were some bad ones too.

I tell you, the rest of the forum must be absolutely enthralled by all this, and can barely wait to log in and see what's new in nautical nostalgia. Try to contain your excitement. chaps

[airboatr]

I tell you, the rest of the forum must be absolutely enthralled by all this, and can barely wait to log in and see what's new in nautical nostalgia. Try to contain your excitement. chaps

Any stories about smashing fingers, toes, hanging inverted by leg from yard arm would be of interest....

[Paul K]

Well, one experience I had brought home to me the advantages of working for a large multi-national like Shell. I was injured in an engine room accident on the Acavus while we were tied up alongside in Rotterdam . Nothing too serious - a crushed right foot with a few small broken bones. Anyway, I was taken to hospital, a plaster put on, and returned to the ship in an ambulance. My colleagues had packed my bags, and waiting for me by the gangway was a large green Mercedes. I was taken to a hotel in Amsterdam, given a room to rest in and told to help myself to room service. Later that afternoon, the Mercedes returned and I was taken to Schipol airport, where two KLM staff awaited me. The young man took my bags away, and a young lady put me in a wheelchair. She pushed me round the terminal, browsing the duty-free shops, having a coffee - that sort of thing, while we waited for my flight home.

Come departure time, I was wheeled out onto the tarmac, helped up the few stairs into an Air UK F.27, and found I had two adjacent seats booked for me, nearest the door at the back, so I could stretch my injured leg out if I wanted. When we arrived at Norwich airport, Air UK staff were waiting with a wheelchair, and after some idiot customs officer enquired as to whether I had any contraband hidden in my plaster, my bags and I were taken out of the terminal building to where a taxi was waiting. The driver knew who I was, where he had to take me, and there was no fare to pay.

All this happened on a Sunday - May 4th 1980, which was a memorial day in the Netherlands, and everywhere was closed. Except the Dutch Shell offices, and someone there managed to organise all that for me, because I was one of their own and needed help. It's something I've never forgotten. I recently became a member of the Shell Pensioners Association, and I feel almost like I've come home.

[Airspeed]

A heart - warming story there, Paul!
Thanks for telling us that one.

Do you remember:
"I'm the Esso Blee dooler"?

Maybe not, being a Shell man!

[DaveB]

You're going back a few years there Mike

ATB
DaveB

[robbie]

This one Mike?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NRbmfLVoWo

[airboatr]

Paul
Good to hear they took care of you the way they did.
How did you break it.

btw.. I asked because OTJ wounds make pretty interesting stories....

[Airspeed]

THAT'S the one, Robbie!

btw, did you miss your birthday greetings?
(he's been drinking Esso Blue, fellas)