Ships and the Sea

[captain kong]

Hi Waterways,
Yes I agree that the Mate and Master should have made sure that the cargo was trmmed level before sailing and that the hatches were battened down with the required number of locking bars in position. If there was a problem with the ship`s trim then he should have gone to shelter, he could have gone to an anchorage in the Downs, in the lee from the westerly gales or into the anchorage at Bembridge in St Helens Roads, in the lee of the Isle of Wight.
Many Ship Masters are under terrible pressure to maintain schedules regardless, by the owners, and do not stand up to the Man in the safety of his office hundreds of miles away. I have had the same pressures but never took any notice, my safety and the safety of the men on my ship were always paramount. I was not very popular in the office, but we are all still here.
The ESSO "Security" men, were like someone from the CIA. At the time they didnt want anyone to speak to the press, TV, Radio, and newspapers. I was told I shouild not have got involved.
When I went to Court, then I was not interfered with. So all my answers were the truth as I was under oath.
In Court, I answered over three hundred questions. 304 to be precise. over a period of three days.
As regards the payments of the wages that had been stopped, I believe at the time, the Ship owner was waiting until there was a verdict both from the Inquest and the Court of Inquiry before settling any monies owed.
Since then, 29 years ago, I have not met or heard from any of the dependants involved, I only know what they told me at the time of the Court hearings. I should imagine that the wages owed were paid out eventually, tho` they should not have had to wait. and the expenses should have been paid to them when they were summoned to the Inquest, instead of having to beg from the friends and neighbours.
I do not know if there was any compensation paid for the loss of life.
Don Crane never went back to sea, he emmigrated to Canada and is now married over there. Mark Fooks didnt go back to sea again after the Derbyshire incident. another close call. He took up scuba diving and dived on the wreck of the Pool Fisher, which took a lot of courage.