Timeshift: Sailors, Ships and Stevedores

[Sloop_Jon_Bee]

I watched it and it was well worth watching, I worked down there in the sixties and remember how different it is from now

I was 35 years as a seaman, and ironically only shipped out of Cardiff once. But well remember the times having to go to the Shipping Federation on Roath Basin dock to sign on the Seaman's pool. Containerisation changed the whole shipping and stevedoring culture in a massive way. The people in the documentary obviously did their homework/research properly.
Spedger

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

I was 35 years as a seaman, and ironically only shipped out of Cardiff once. But well remember the times having to go to the Shipping Federation on Roath Basin dock to sign on the Seaman's pool. Containerisation changed the whole shipping and stevedoring culture in a massive way. The people in the documentary obviously did their homework/research properly.
Spedger

35 years!!! - that's some feat


What do these shipping companies use now ... Filipino crews?

I had an old school mate who joined up with Shell, circa 1977. I remember seeing some of his photos at that time - all the deck crew were just wearing shorts and flipflops and with a can of beer in their hands as they happily posed for pics. All you're likely to see of British deck crews these days is those working on coasters or ferries, wearing overalls, hi-vis, toe-caps and hard hats.

I went to the sea training school in Gravesend about a month before my mate, I completed my 14 weeks deck course, had a ship lined up to South Africa with a company from Liverpool - Holder Bro's, but got cold feet and never joined the ship ... hugely regretted that in later life!

I think during the 70's there was still plenty of opportunities for British seamen and the British Shipping Council offices down the docks were very busy - I'm not sure anyone could have foreseen at that time the sad decline of the British Merchant shipping.

I bet when you meet up with your mates from sea you have plenty to reminisce about

[Sloop_Jon_Bee]

35 years!!! - that's some feat


What do these shipping companies use now ... Filipino crews?

I had an old school mate who joined up with Shell, circa 1977. I remember seeing some of his photos at that time - all the deck crew were just wearing shorts and flipflops and with a can of beer in their hands as they happily posed for pics. All you're likely to see of British deck crews these days is those working on coasters or ferries, wearing overalls, hi-vis, toe-caps and hard hats.

I went to the sea training school in Gravesend about a month before my mate, I completed my 14 weeks deck course, had a ship lined up to South Africa with a company from Liverpool - Holder Bro's, but got cold feet and never joined the ship ... hugely regretted that in later life!

I think during the 70's there was still plenty of opportunities for British seamen and the British Shipping Council offices down the docks were very busy - I'm not sure anyone could have foreseen at that time the sad decline of the British Merchant shipping.

I bet when you meet up with your mates from sea you have plenty to reminisce about

I caught a few years of the Flip flop and shorts era. I retired last September after having Heart surgery. I did 10 years moving around companies from 1980 -1990; Geest, Shell Tankers, Blue Star Line among others, very care free, international traveller-like times. Then did 25 Years with RFA (MOD) which is very much the Navy these days an ships are operating autonomously in areas such as anti-pitracy a disaster relief etc . Worked my way up the ladder, so ended up with a good pension. So the 35 years of partying was worth it! Houlder brothers were a good outfit, so I guess you missed out on something there mate. There is very little commercial sector British Shipping companies around that employ British Seaman these days. I would wager not one deep sea trading company that employs British Seaman. RFA is the biggest employer of British Ratings and Officers.
Spedger