Southampton name removed from QE2

[captain kong]

When we used to be coming into a mega storm and the captain wanted to go through it and not around he had to call for permission. We all hated that. Silly of us really as they do own it.

When I was Master or Captain, I never ever once asked the Office if I could alter course, That is the reason for having Masters on ships, they are the professionals who know their ships and how to handle them in any situation.
How do the office people know what weather conditions are like??? Are they expert ship handlers??? Do they understand the effects of weather, also depending, is it from ahead, astern, on the beam.
Are the Office Staff home in bed when the weather changes and the Captain calls saying "What do I do now" ??? Do they get up and look through the window of their apartment in New York and say "The weather is OK here whats it like in the South Atlantic??. No you cannot have permission to alter course."
Cunard and every other Company I have ever worked for in 47 years of seafaring have never told their Captains to contact the office and ask permission before altering course. Captains are paid to make the decision as they see it. No one in an Office thousands of miles away have a clue what is going on.

[ChrisGeorge]

When we used to be coming into a mega storm and the captain wanted to go through it and not around he had to call for permission. We all hated that. Silly of us really as they do own it.

When I was Master or Captain, I never ever once asked the Office if I could alter course, That is the reason for having Masters on ships, they are the professionals who know their ships and how to handle them in any situation.
How do the office people know what weather conditions are like??? Are they expert ship handlers??? Do they understand the effects of weather, also depending, is it from ahead, astern, on the beam. . . .

Well said here, mate. The captain is master of the ship for a reason.

Chris

[Berger]

When we used to be coming into a mega storm and the captain wanted to go through it and not around he had to call for permission. We all hated that. Silly of us really as they do own it.

When I was Master or Captain, I never ever once asked the Office if I could alter course, That is the reason for having Masters on ships, they are the professionals who know their ships and how to handle them in any situation.
How do the office people know what weather conditions are like??? Are they expert ship handlers??? Do they understand the effects of weather, also depending, is it from ahead, astern, on the beam.
Are the Office Staff home in bed when the weather changes and the Captain calls saying "What do I do now" ??? Do they get up and look through the window of their apartment in New York and say "The weather is OK here whats it like in the South Atlantic??. No you cannot have permission to alter course."
Cunard and every other Company I have ever worked for in 47 years of seafaring have never told their Captains to contact the office and ask permission before altering course. Captains are paid to make the decision as they see it. No one in an Office thousands of miles away have a clue what is going on.

I concur!
Did you sail as master with Cunard, which companies were you captain with?

[naked lilac]

Captain Kong.. Priceless.. You said it so well.. and congrads on a life long profession you loved to do...


Your stories and contributions to this forum are excellant!

[captain kong]

If you read page one of this thread........

...............I worked for Cunard and sailed as A.B. and Quartermaster on many of its ships, also since retirement sailed world wide many times on their cruise ships, Caronia, QE2, Queen Mary 2.

[Ronijayne]

If you read page one of this thread........

...............I worked for Cunard and sailed as A.B. and Quartermaster on many of its ships, also since retirement sailed world wide many times on their cruise ships, Caronia, QE2, Queen Mary 2.

Yes, I can read but thank you.

[naked lilac]

Captain Kong.. Priceless.. You said it so well.. and congrads on a life long profession you loved to do...


Your stories and contributions to this forum are excellant!

I am noting this above statement, one more time.

I am also a woman, and I do not think this thread should reflect any gender. Its' about a mans' life long knowledge.

You can either appreciate it, or, if you need a question answered.. , then, do so without that feeling of who knows more...

Obviously, my choice would be a man (Captain) that sailed the seven seas and then some... I appreciate people with great knowledge and accomplishments in their chosen fields... You can learn alot from these folks..

I am too a Professional at what I do.. I understand that some words maybe taken derogatory to someone whose has reached that pinnacle of knowledge..

Ronijayne.. I just think they were trying to tell you their knowledge ..and don't take it as gender attitude..or personally.. Your contributions are also warrented ... ta

[M6AJJ]

Well said, we need all the different opinions on here, it is what makes it so interesting. Ronijayne, we need you as much as Captain Kong so please don't take offence!

[captain kong]

Hey, Ronajaine, we love you, no one is getting at you, next time I am in Manhattan I will take you for dinner. I enjoy ladies on this site, I enjoy ladies anywhere. it would be a very boring site if there were none. It is good to have a difference of opinion, that is what a debate is all about and we can all learn from other peoples experiences. There are too many boring sites where people just agree or make a one line comment. Lets have some more constructive comments.
As long as there are no personal insults lets talk about everything and enjoy it.
Cheers
Brian.

[Ronijayne]

When we used to be coming into a mega storm and the captain wanted to go through it and not around he had to call for permission. We all hated that. Silly of us really as they do own it.

When I was Master or Captain, I never ever once asked the Office if I could alter course, That is the reason for having Masters on ships, they are the professionals who know their ships and how to handle them in any situation.
How do the office people know what weather conditions are like??? Are they expert ship handlers??? Do they understand the effects of weather, also depending, is it from ahead, astern, on the beam.
Are the Office Staff home in bed when the weather changes and the Captain calls saying "What do I do now" ??? Do they get up and look through the window of their apartment in New York and say "The weather is OK here whats it like in the South Atlantic??. No you cannot have permission to alter course."
Cunard and every other Company I have ever worked for in 47 years of seafaring have never told their Captains to contact the office and ask permission before altering course. Captains are paid to make the decision as they see it. No one in an Office thousands of miles away have a clue what is going on.

Why are you getting in a tizzy over this It is of no matter to me. I just remember that the officers were VERY mad when we were headed for a huge storm and the captain was wanting to go through it and had to argue with who they just refered to as 'the Americans'

Is the red ensign the red flag at the back of the ship? We were told that was flown only when the captain was ROYAL NAVY, if he was merchant navy it could not be flown.

We had to join the merchant navy before we got on the ship! I had a lifeboat I was in charge of at lifeboat drills, we had to do the fire course as well as a few more I cannot remember. When I left the ship I had to 'sign off' from the navy!!! I still have my certificates somewhere.