Doing our Competency Exams

PREAMBLE

The traditional and statutory requirememnt of completing the required "sea time" and doing our competency exams was held in great reverence in our time-The ships job and employment was all that held us together for our livelihood. In fact many of us helped to support our parents and siblings at home with monthly allotments-although on a meagre salary.That was a different time altogether and an era of  "Family first"- This applied to all of us working on ships at that time.

Recently I met a ships colleague at a function and was so happy to meet and chat. He is 3 years older than me and linked from 1967-2nd Mates Exam days of LBS Nautical College student life. We recalled the exam days including the boarding & lodgings esp; We spent some happy time and laughed  about our student days and the sheer simplicity of life then post sea for  Exams and the conditions that prevailing . 

Life ashore during our Competency exams-at Bombay.

In October 1967, I had completed my sea time and got off the coastal tanker m.t.Jag Jwala  for  appearing for the 2nd mates exam at Bombay. I had studied in my last year as an apprentice and as was the practice then The Self Examiner model test questions (called Selfi) and all text Books were carried by us. Besides Dufferin training held us in good stead.

Writtens and Oral examination, LIfe Boat -survival at Sassoon Docks, Radar at LBS COllege , First Aid at St John Ambulance office and the Defense Course at Navy office was all added in the list.  ROR & Orals was seen usually by all as the greatest challenge.

Boarding & Lodging at economical terms was the greatest problem in Bombay then and even later. I had initially used the Seamans club, Ballard Estate Bombay which provided a share space (divided by a wooden partition-not a room) for 3 weeks but that was only allowed for maximum period of 30 days then and then you had to leave as per rules.

The next choice was Sagar Vihar -a small building which was a Udipi Lodging on Frere Rd fora very short while -- a very  down to earth lodge, but decently maintained. The food was of course  just a Thali of Dal - Bhaath and veg with pickles and pappad at Rs 5/ room delivery! I had used the place for a short while only. Later, I shifted  into LBS Nautical College Hostel at Hay Bunder, 3 km from Reay Road station following the normal "wait your turn" procedure vacancy booking through the college secretary, who was very fair and kind. 

The college hostel was much better, clean, neat and quietfor study. I did my 2nd mates in Dec 1967 and cleared all straightaway.

Then in 1970 1st Mates Exam study there and cleared. Only at Masters time in 1973  I stayed outside ina rented place in Bandra, as I was married by then   .

All ship's personnel  did our Exams with a study friend as it was a great help to both and so it was with me also. We shared books, notes, ideas and practiced Morse signals on a Torch and even  ROR model questions and the MS Safety Notices with typical questions asked for the greatest challenge then of the grilling called --"Oral Exam" --viva voce, which usually was left to the mood and personality -whims and fancies of the MMD examiner on that day.

LBS College faculty were excellent , kind and helpfull--all of them supported students with great patience and helped us in every way. I can never say Thanks enough to all of them and my Salutations always to each one.

                                        LBS College entrance 

Whereas, the MMD Examiners were just awful. They were viewed by all candidates as just aggressive bullies -typical Babu style. Some copied the negative styles and traits of of the earlier colonial era with a harsh dictatorial, condescending  outlook. A small omission like a Tie not tied properly was a Fail case and the order was -     " Get Out, Fail, Come next month  barked out like a Capt Bligh of the Bounty in command. We just said Yes Sir & left. --that was all. Many candidates faced serious problems, were severely discouraged and some had to switch to Calcutta MMD which was far better as  the treatment was fair and very cordial. It is a matter of regret to state all this  in a blog post decades later-but is a Truth.In that era bullying and harrasment at exams was more common than realised. Later it was again a greater  mess as corrupt practices crept into these Govt offices, as I am told. The entire system was unable to cope as is is even now. 

I was fortunate to manage reasonably well as I used to study a lot and did my Revision extensively --but still felt the tension and the oppressive behaviour--

Overall, for many it was a difficult time, especially  in Bombay.

But that is Life--we learnt to take it all in stride and Life went on .

TR