[BITList] Fwd: BI Tankers

[FA]

John
Think it would be a good idea to open the list to fellow seamen, as it 
would  good to swing the lamp and hear how others faired
  frank

On 11/20/2014 3:23 PM, John Feltham wrote:
> G’day folks,

>
> I have been corresponding with another salty who was at sea on tankers.
>
> He sent me this yarn.
>
> Is there any one who wants to open this List to new blood?
>
> Just let me know yes or no. It can be done in private emails to me if you’re shy!
>
>
>
> ooroo
>
>
>
>
> The one and only time we picked up a stowaway, I rang H.Q. Aberdeen.
>
> Unfortunate timing - two of our ships had just bounced off a rig in the South China Sea something to do with being asked to supply in extreme weather conditions.
>
> So, I was not very popular when I rang in with my glad tidings.
>
> It did have its farcical side: we had been working (pipelaying ops) out of Tunis across the Med. to southern Italy, and then from another base, in Trapani, for the second part of the pipe.
>
> On completion, we sailed for Aberdeen, clearing the Straits on Christmas Eve and encountering some bouncy weather, when I heard a startled cry - the 2/ E had just discovered a pair of eyes looking at him when he opened an enclosed lifeboat for a routine inspection.
>
> Brought to my office, this little dusky man could not understand my classic Italian/English dictionary or any other attempts at linguistic contortions.
>
> His wallet help a photo of his brother and some Monopoly money - literally.
>
> We thought he was Tunisian although he was not Arabic looking.
>
> When we got closer to home, and H.Q. had calmed down a bit, I phoned again and this time they had the local Italian consul who spoke with our escapist.
>
> Transpires he was a gypsy from Sarajavo, who worked his way (legally) down through Italy and when he reached Trapani wanted to catch a ship to Marsailles where his girlfriend was at a big Romany convention
>
> He had been robbed of his passport etc but managed to pay for false information and having overpaid was given back some Monopoly money by those very generous Siscillean dock works.
>
> On arrival at Aberdeen we were met by the boss (who couldn't stop laughing), the Italian consul who had a restaurant in town, and a really sour immigration prat.
>
> The latter asked where our man was from - he shrugged but I solved the problem by crudely sketching a caravan - the Prat got sourer, by boss left the cabin in near hysterics
>
> Prat said he had to go back to Italy but consul said No - we're all part of the E.C. He suddenly became very unpopular with Le Prat
>
> Prat said he had no work so I innocently asked the consul/restaurant if he had a violin.
>
> Gypsey / violin. - seemed so logical
>
> I thought Prat was going to arrest me too but we had to organise a stretcher for my boss first who was about to expire from mirth - he really was not much help.
>
> The consul thought it was all great fun and offered us free pasta.
>
> I rang for a straight jacket for the Prat before he could call for his goon squad to arrest the ship and all who sailed on her.
>
> Well, they may have been small but those offshore support vessel did offer some variety and fun.
>
>
> ooroo
>
>
>
>
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