The Apprentice and his Ship --in our era of 1960s.
Dufferin cadets joining the Merchant Navy did their 2 years pre-sea sea training and then -went for "apprentice ship" to learn the ropes-- literally and it covered all work from sundry, basics to advanced in 3 years. A Cadets Diary of functions was introduced in later years in good companies-to be covered. Post Sea was 3 years actually, but for us ex.Dufferin cadets, we gained a 9 month Remission basis Dufferin Passing Report.Then, direct to Nautical & Engg College in VT area -later in late 60s was shifted to the new construction at Hay Bunder, Bombay for about 3 months post sea study and exams -
Apprenticeship Life went on as we did --all basic tasks, chipped & painted, washed holds, oil tanks etc in 1st year , then in 2nd years were allowed to assist the OOW on the Bridge and on Cargo watches in ports.
Ships side work recalls
WE were 3 Cadets on Jag Laxmi- 1965 in a US Port (-I think it was Bellingham or Tacoma ) near Canadian border- in winter time, loading Wood Pulp. As per usual practice, painting the name at flare and stern, draft Marks & Load lines was the Cadets job those days--paint Draft Marks, Name on Flare of Bow/Focsle - (dangerously curved outwards) was a bit difficult. The midship Load lines was easy. All this on a Wooden Stage (parancha) secured with usual 2 ropes --Later from a wooden Raft at water line
The Coast Guard boat passed by -saw us- stopped and came back--barked out" --Hey-- you Boys should be wearing Life Belts/Jackets & where is your Supervisor" --The next thing was the Ch Mate panicked and cancelled the ships-side "name painting"- on Bow- Flare -It may be noted that unless you pull in the stage with a Rope -and do a fine balancing act of -one hand- hang on tight & -one hand Paint - Ship's Circus Act- there was a good chance of falling in icy waters below -I dropped 2 brushes -and got a firing from the Ch Mater later .We were 3 Cadets I may add that on some ships there had been falls ..
However, such work was seen as the typical jobs for learning the ropes as apprentices-then!! --Also splicing wires, overhauling cargo blocks and so on. Frankly, most of the time there was no briefing or training for this and we learnt from Older Seamen and the Carpenter-Fitter!!--
On shipside woirk--If you fall Swim--throw him a life buoy was the logo; Hmmm-- Today someone in Gen Y may think of Parancha as a cousin of a Paratha maybe -----the old language --Cassab store se rasi aur sammam le kar , Burush le -aur Paint karo--jaldi--LOL Brit Malim Saabs language of that era. But. Plimsolls -Load Lines painting wasa routine -was easy and done always; even alone sometimes. and I was ok with that -but Flare of Bows- Focsle Name!! OMG .....Mad Days but we somehow survived--Today with ISM etc, one would require a Task Risk assessment, work permit, tool box talk, Full PPE including safety harness with fall arrestor before undertaking such a feat.
APPRENTICESHIP TERMS
We were mostly often referred to as Apprentices (aka A’ pentis Saab by crew) -possibly a British seafaring legacy . We sailed long term and did our full Apprenticeship period with no leave - break usually.
We received a stipend of Rs 90/, 100 & 110/- pm (3 years ) + with shared Cabin and Food in officers Mess - free then but some times got poor treatment with nasty Ch Stewards who ran the Catering
This tenure included aprovision for us to sign an Indemnity Bond for ensuring Discipline -aka Good Behaviour !! This was set at Rs 500/- refunded after 3 years subject to good behaviour !! The legal wording of the Indemnity Bond was ridiculous and archaic-- but in force then...
Despite all that -and the long voyages, we managed and this was by our own choice. Few took or got leave ..or maybe once in between. Transfer to other ships occurred with no break of service as we were all on Long Term basis.
Term contracts were unheard of then.
For sea study, a Correspondence study course from UK was in use in some good companies- However, for most of us , we had our own books and a Self Examiner --a sort of text book from UK with specimen exam questions -to study and practice Navigation calculations etc in our spare time. It was popularly called "Selfi "--and served us well for all Competency Exams from 2nd Mates FG to Master FG. We all took this seriously and the goal was passing 2nd Mates Exam abd becoming qualified officers --the greatest dream fullfilment -For me in Dec 1967-
NOTE After the T.S. Dufferin was scrapped in 1972- the systems began to change steadily and the examination syllabus was also totally changed. Systems were periodically altered with and experimented with till date--and now it is a completely new scene. 50 years later, the service we saw and experienced –cannot be recognized in most ways anymore. Nevertheless we all have to thank the service for a Career that has lasted us a life time .
TR
Dufferin cadets joining the Merchant Navy did their 2 years pre-sea sea training and then -went for "apprentice ship" to learn the ropes-- literally and it covered all work from sundry, basics to advanced in 3 years. A Cadets Diary of functions was introduced in later years in good companies-to be covered. Post Sea was 3 years actually, but for us ex.Dufferin cadets, we gained a 9 month Remission basis Dufferin Passing Report.Then, direct to Nautical & Engg College in VT area -later in late 60s was shifted to the new construction at Hay Bunder, Bombay for about 3 months post sea study and exams -
Apprenticeship Life went on as we did --all basic tasks, chipped & painted, washed holds, oil tanks etc in 1st year , then in 2nd years were allowed to assist the OOW on the Bridge and on Cargo watches in ports.
Ships side work recalls
WE were 3 Cadets on Jag Laxmi- 1965 in a US Port (-I think it was Bellingham or Tacoma ) near Canadian border- in winter time, loading Wood Pulp. As per usual practice, painting the name at flare and stern, draft Marks & Load lines was the Cadets job those days--paint Draft Marks, Name on Flare of Bow/Focsle - (dangerously curved outwards) was a bit difficult. The midship Load lines was easy. All this on a Wooden Stage (parancha) secured with usual 2 ropes --Later from a wooden Raft at water line
The Coast Guard boat passed by -saw us- stopped and came back--barked out" --Hey-- you Boys should be wearing Life Belts/Jackets & where is your Supervisor" --The next thing was the Ch Mate panicked and cancelled the ships-side "name painting"- on Bow- Flare -It may be noted that unless you pull in the stage with a Rope -and do a fine balancing act of -one hand- hang on tight & -one hand Paint - Ship's Circus Act- there was a good chance of falling in icy waters below -I dropped 2 brushes -and got a firing from the Ch Mater later .We were 3 Cadets I may add that on some ships there had been falls ..
However, such work was seen as the typical jobs for learning the ropes as apprentices-then!! --Also splicing wires, overhauling cargo blocks and so on. Frankly, most of the time there was no briefing or training for this and we learnt from Older Seamen and the Carpenter-Fitter!!--
On shipside woirk--If you fall Swim--throw him a life buoy was the logo; Hmmm-- Today someone in Gen Y may think of Parancha as a cousin of a Paratha maybe -----the old language --Cassab store se rasi aur sammam le kar , Burush le -aur Paint karo--jaldi--LOL Brit Malim Saabs language of that era. But. Plimsolls -Load Lines painting wasa routine -was easy and done always; even alone sometimes. and I was ok with that -but Flare of Bows- Focsle Name!! OMG .....Mad Days but we somehow survived--Today with ISM etc, one would require a Task Risk assessment, work permit, tool box talk, Full PPE including safety harness with fall arrestor before undertaking such a feat.
APPRENTICESHIP TERMS
We were mostly often referred to as Apprentices (aka A’ pentis Saab by crew) -possibly a British seafaring legacy . We sailed long term and did our full Apprenticeship period with no leave - break usually.
We received a stipend of Rs 90/, 100 & 110/- pm (3 years ) + with shared Cabin and Food in officers Mess - free then but some times got poor treatment with nasty Ch Stewards who ran the Catering
This tenure included aprovision for us to sign an Indemnity Bond for ensuring Discipline -aka Good Behaviour !! This was set at Rs 500/- refunded after 3 years subject to good behaviour !! The legal wording of the Indemnity Bond was ridiculous and archaic-- but in force then...
Despite all that -and the long voyages, we managed and this was by our own choice. Few took or got leave ..or maybe once in between. Transfer to other ships occurred with no break of service as we were all on Long Term basis.
Term contracts were unheard of then.
For sea study, a Correspondence study course from UK was in use in some good companies- However, for most of us , we had our own books and a Self Examiner --a sort of text book from UK with specimen exam questions -to study and practice Navigation calculations etc in our spare time. It was popularly called "Selfi "--and served us well for all Competency Exams from 2nd Mates FG to Master FG. We all took this seriously and the goal was passing 2nd Mates Exam abd becoming qualified officers --the greatest dream fullfilment -For me in Dec 1967-
NOTE After the T.S. Dufferin was scrapped in 1972- the systems began to change steadily and the examination syllabus was also totally changed. Systems were periodically altered with and experimented with till date--and now it is a completely new scene. 50 years later, the service we saw and experienced –cannot be recognized in most ways anymore. Nevertheless we all have to thank the service for a Career that has lasted us a life time .
TR
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