[BITList] BI Tankers

[Michael Feltham]

John,

I would like to stay as we are, with a common link - the BI.  There are lots of other sites such as Ships Nostalgia to go onto if you want.

Mike
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> On 20 Nov 2014, at 16:04, FA <franka at iinet.net.au> wrote:
> 
> 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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