BLOG 59 - My Way of Paying Tribute to my Colleagues on the Navigation Side

Courtesy Marine Observer

Foreword :

There is no denying the fact that present day Shipping, be they Indian or Foreign, today have their foundations firmly embedded in the direction and discipline provided by the contributions of the stalwarts who were products of DMET and TS Dufferin.

For most of them, they were humble beginnings., often starting from financial hardships. They were full of hard work and toil, often under duress. They were the times when life had to necessarily be frugal, often skipping meals to conserve what little was left in the pocket. They were the years spent working under seniors who encompassed the entire spectrum in terms of their knowledge, moods, mannerisms, often under racial bias.

But for a multitude of boys, barely out of their teens, it formed the bedrock of character building, of a steely determination to succeed without being over ambitious, of a desire to carry forward the traditions that had been inculcated into them, to not give in in the face of adversity that was, surely, part and parcel of a life at sea, of a mindset to face all hazards that the sea has to offer, even in the middle of fright and fear.

And so they all made a career of the sea.

It would be unfair on my part to leave out those who were direct cadets or apprentices and who had to put in more effort than their counterparts from DMET or Dufferin to 'arrive'. It is a sad fact, but true, that they had to overcome double the adversity to climb the rungs. But many did make it and I salute them. I had the privilege of sailing with quite a few of them.

In the first paragraph, I made a reference to direction. What did I mean by this?

The 1940s, and '50s, threw up the odd alumni of these two institutions who struggled his way to the top, either at sea or ashore or in a policy making organisation, in spite of the restrictions imposed by colonialism and race bias. But they inched open the floodgates for others to scramble and slither through in ever larger numbers, for the generation that followed.

The early 1960s saw the alumni of these institutions spread their wings and find footholds in most of the top shipping companies of the world - read mostly European or British - but only in relatively junior positions such as Second Mates, Third Engineers and the like, even though they were certified and well qualified for the top rungs, having passed their Master's or Chief's exams. They had to contend with an artificial wall built by European hegemony, but the chipping away had begun in earnest.

The late 1960s saw a rather large crack in this wall. The influx had begun.

The 1970s were the years of the harbinger of things to come. European money and Indian intelligence took shipping into another direction, a direction that has not changed for over the last 50 years. This was a conceptual change, a change totally different from the traditional concept of a ship owner administering every aspect of operating his ship, keeping hundreds employed under his nose for that purpose.

"Ship Management" came into vogue, distinctively different from the traditional usage and coinage of the same words of the previous centuries.

"Ship Management Companies" were set up using, as stated, European money and assets, along with Indian think tanks, organisational expertise and technical skills.

The parent European companies substantially increased their bottom lines of their financial statements, as they were saving more than 50% of their personnel wage costs.

They now had a smaller workforce in their head offices.

They were now saving anywhere from 30% to 60% on the maintenance costs on their ships due to the frugality of their new management teams set up in Asia.

It was the "coming out" age of the Asian seafarer.

The advent of Ship Management Companies opened the doors to career minded seafarers, who now had the opportunity of climbing to the top of the ladder, as long as they were certified, qualified and experienced enough for the rank. The flood gates had, finally, opened.

By the end of the 1980s, Ship Management Companies were operating a substantial percentage of world shipping. The paradox was that the Indian training establishments could not fulfill 100% of the demands of the Ship Management industry who, then, had to turn elsewhere.

The weakness of the Indian Government sponsored training established were, then, revealed. There was no expansion in the intake of trainees, nor permission given to private training enterprises.

The lacunae lasted for a decade before a liberalised economy allowed new institutions to appear.

By then, India had lost its firm hold on the supply of seafarers to world shipping, which prominence they could never, then, retrieve.

The rise was in the 1970s, only to be followed by the fall in the 1990s.

The rise to prominence happened because of the perseverance of the Indian seafarer over the many decades, with the lead given by green horns from the two main institutions, TS Dufferin and DMET.

All Hail TS Dufferin.

All Hail DMET.

This particular Blog is a first hand account of a close friend and colleague of mine, T Rajkumar, giving the bare outlines of his first days of joining as a Cadet in Great Eastern, followed by the trials and tribulations faced when obtaining his Second Mate's.

This is only one of many, including me, who struggled to life in the first few years.

Sorry about the logos - I tried to align the two, not malign the two. I am not versatile enough to align them properly, nor am I able to able find a colourful DMET logo.

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WAITING AT CALCUTTA AT SEAMENS CLUB

AFTER DUFFERIN TRAINING--- JULY 1965 Joining first ship mv JAG LAXMI-

Sitting outside an Office on the Steps –the Waiting Game -

Today most youth are used to instant touch click –and get it, be it ATM or mail or what ever in an online - Mobile era . In my time from joining school at age 5 till today Waiting Patiently –was a way of life-

ANECDOTE 1 –Starting my Sea Career

I joined my first ship m.v. Jag Laxmi, a small cargo freighter of Great Eastern shipping at Calcutta Jetties in July 1965 after completing T.S.Dufferin with a First Class final passing out and some 4 Badges---

On arrival Howrah Station at 5.30 am, I proceeded by a local taxi direct to GESCO office and waited there from 0630hrs till 0930 at the foot of GESCO office. With just about Rs 50 left in my pocket this was the only economical and practical way.......and it seemed quite alright then .

The Personnel Manager, Mr Bose at Calcutta, a very kind man and a fine gentleman arrived in the office at sharp 9.30 am. He observed me with keen interest and possibly saw a very naive, tired & disheveled youth esp. after 2 nights in a 3rd Class train compartment and asked –

When did you arrive ?–

I said at about 5.45 a.m, Sir

Where were you till now?

I said-waiting on the steps on Gr. Floor, sitting on my steel trunk, Sir.

Have you at least had Tea – I said No. (I had to look after the steel trunk –so did not move!!

Tea and even biscuits was served-

He smiled and was indeed even more understanding and helpful. Not only was I provided board & lodging at Mariners Club for 11 days, but added in was Re-assurance and friendliness to a youth at 18, which was something most needed. Till date... 56 years later- I have never forgotten his kindness at that first meeting. He lives in Calcutta I am told. God Bless him with Good health-

The first meeting with a Principal Employer is a real challenge and an important landmark in anyone’s Career. In the present world I have seen it is more like “Strange encounters of the third kind” these days.

My ship was held up at Sandheads and so had a long wait. So. I settled in to the Marine Club- my temporary Home till due date of docking at Calcutta Jetties. In all spent 11 days waiting in the Marine Club for my ship to dock from Sandheads.

The Marine Club was a convenient place and rooms and meals were extremely good.

When I joined this ship I never realised that it would be my Home away from Home for quite a few years – 1965 to January 1967. Then again in 1968 and 1969 .

Recalling the joining days .

The resident seafaring crowd at Marine Club Calcutta were all senior to me by at least 3 years or more. Mostly, from ISS and Scindias - who were doing their respective Competency Exams., popularly then called Meal Ticket at 2nd Mates levels. Almost all Seniors ex Dufferin and so easier to connect. All were friendly & most helpful with a relaxed cooperative ambience. What struck me whilst observing these officers and meeting some of them was their very friendly attitude –

Miss that today.

I had to go daily to Marine House to get my ID card. This was a slow and tedious process as it is even now at pass-port offices. Cadets – Apprentices were not given a Company Passport on joining and only an ID Card was provided as per rules then. (Unless you had your own passport).

The daily trudge to Marine House to get a ID Card was also herculean feat. During this time (July ), Calcutta had very heavy rains - and flooding, but no TV & media to report it. Had to once wade through 4 feet of water and walk to Mercantile Marine Office, from the Marine Club on a few days to get my travel documentation & ID Card done.. We just managed to some how survive & still smile on a frugal budget- This was a slow and tedious process as it is even now at pass-port offices.

We managed to some how survive & still smile- -The Weather (& the Sea) have the final & last say in Life on earth.. a useful lesson for any Mariner-to-be!!

M.v. Jag Laxmi finally docked at Calcutta Jetties and a co cadet and I boarded one late evening and reported on duty for our Apprenticeship.

We had finally arrived at Destination Stage 1.

Never knew there would be so many more Waiting stops and stations in the Waiting Game in a Career as Life went by...

57 years have passed with Gods Grace

TR

Late SK Wadhawan (my batch) was my co cadet. Anthony Heredia our senior was senior cadet.

· Capt SK Vaswani about 9 years our senior on Dufferin was Master; rest were not Dufferin

· Later many trips in Gen Cargo. Then transferred to Oil Tanker Coastal, relieving Vinny Batra at Pir Pow one afternoon .

About l year on Tanker m.t. Jag Jwala regular Bombay-Cochin Madras - Calcutta port meant Budge Budge Tanker jetty.

I joined these same two ships after 2nd Mates till 1969---

· Have memories of the Tidal range Bore tides and Anchor stations watch and all –Calcutta was a Friendly simple place –economical, esp for a Cadet and as a Junior officer. Food, Chinese shoes, Nizam's, Tiger Cinema etc Good memories and thank you Seamens Club –Marine House and Gesco Cacutta who were really helpful.

TR

BOMBAY STAYS FOR EXAMS--- 1967 for 2nd Mates From the All India Qualifying Exam to Dufferin Finals was the first stage in a Career- Then we All Mariners have do 3 Exams after Dufferin training, spaced at intervals with Sea service for ascending Ranks to officer and finally Captain . Engineering Dept has the same system to Ch Engineer... NOTE:Now we have Combined Ticket Qualifications Abroad For me from 1963 -till 1970 (1st Mates exam) was Rustic Simplicity as the code of living but the 2nd Mates Exam after Apprenticeship and Sea time was the first real challenge ; done at MMD Bombay or Calcutta. We had to live a frugal life as any Apprentice (cadet/Trainee only got a stipend of just Rs 100/ per month even in our last year and if we scrimped and saved most of us barely managed to save for a 3 month Bombay and LBS College Fees and the rest Life Boat, St Johns First Aid and Radar training courses plus boarding and lodging –Dear God How ever did we manage that. We never troubled our Families for money ever as most of us came from middle income homes of Thrift and Save and had younger siblings –Parents were always hard pressed for home running. Only spend wisely for Essentials was our background. Yes money was always a Crunch . Life in Seafarers Club Bombay Dorm Room was shared, but Food was outside and basic in a Dhabha - Neelam in VT area or a Udipi Hotel called Dilkush Vishranti Griha -near Dock Gates. Meals was on a tight budget and so it was not easy .This Neelam Dhabha and Udipi hotel outside Alexandra Docks, called Dilkush Vishranti Griha -became a regular stop ; a quaint but loving description which I think can read as Happy Heart-Resting House, catering to both South Indian khana and Marathi snacks (misal /usal/ sabudana vada etc etc). Simple eats and quite cheap- Poori with Sheera was Rs 2/- This was enough for us . At 2nd mates exam time in Sept 1967, whilst staying at Marine Club we had shared Rooms – used to eat here. The Poori item never cost more than Rs 2-3/ with Coffee or Tea at breakfast. Neelam was occasional -for Dinner only- was just plain rotis one curry shared with papad and salad. Dear Harpal Singh Sahi batchmate was my joint study Mate in Marine Club shared space of the lowest cost Dormitory with wooden partitions and common bathrooms etc. It was then just Rs 25/ per month but that was decent and clean and neat . However max stay time allowed here was a month Later when a room was allotted we used to shift to LBS Nautical College Hostel- where rooms were neat and clean and Shared by 2 students .It served our purpose. The college food was spartan-but served our purpose The UK publication SELF Examiner(compilation of questions and answers published in UK for study and preparation -for the Written exam was a wonderful self tutor.. .and College teaching was good. The only recourse for economics at Exam time for us at 2nd Mates Exam Study was Study Hard- Clear the exam and all courses as soon as possible – 2-3 months was the minimum and I did that. Got off my ship in early October 1967 –College and Course over by November and appeared for the Exam in early December -Passed and cleared all. There were three of us in this first set-in my Dufferin batch - Harpal Sahi, Nigel Chaves and Me—All of us had come prepared and studied at Sea. The Bombay exam stay was just serious study. No movies or fun and games— Our Mission was Pass the Exam and reach that coveted Officers post – For those who had homes in Bombay it was easier as basic needs were met- So this post sea service time Study was a period of total dedication and Study to Pass hopefully all in One Attempt—popularly called First Shot- and go Home Proudly All, after nearly 5 years- —of Dufferin, Apprenticeship and Exam study at LBS College. By today’s standard a lesson in student Austerity and how students life can be. Entertainment was just meet - a Walk in the open and a cup of Tea or a snack- Harpal just loved south Indian khana and Masala Dosai especially; after dinner he would say: Hi "Raj--I want a Dho- sa ( to drool over ) ok ..dhosa-please-cant miss that " -ok , ok. Way back in 1967 at the Udipi Dilkush Griha .. it cost just Rs 2-3/- I think. ---Today a Masala Dosa with all chutneys and sambar maybe costs Rs 250/ in Bombay!! NOTE -----No wonder MD with all served is South Indias signature dish ' Masala Do-sai '...and a Meal in itself esp if fried in ghee- with all ingredients & side dishes and chutneys. Study was a serious matter-no fooling. Besides as we had limited funds and staying in Bombay was not easy Nigel was my Signals partner and long hrs of torch and Morse code practice and all. ROR & Orals in LBS College and the canteen tea time was also a class room as we shared and studied Seamanship and ROR Orals questions-- We completed all studies together -End Sept. down from ship and in December cleared orals with Capt.Sarukkai!!- a tough Examiner ; passed all rest too in Dec inc Radar--and we were simply jubiliant. So, Finally after almost nearly 5 years-from Dufferin basic training, seatime - study and college exams had been completed-we were qualified to join ships as 4th Mates –Rs 640 pm Salary . Sheer Joy -Happiness , Thanked God with relief. Nothing has made me feel better than that experience of completing the 2nd Mates Exam -sheer elevation to cloud nine and financially independent and be able to help Home also with allotments. Was back home by year end Dec 1967--after getting my Apprentice ship Bond money of Rs 500/ in GESCO office ( ie my Apprentice ship Rs 500/- Indenture Bond Money).....(Phew -a long story) ....Only after Capt D.G. Hazari intervened in the reimbursement dues got it Phew.. The Bond Money repaid was a relief .God Bless late Capt. DGH (RIP) -or I may have had to Walk back to Madras !!. I got myself a 3rd class Train tkt plus 2 sets of white Uniforms and a Uniform Jacket too- A short holiday at Home and Joined ship in Jan 1968 at Bombay –mv Jag Laxmi as 4th Mate EPILOGUE- years later re visited Mumbai Alexandra Docks ( renamed Indira Docks) area is all changed. I took a tour in 2015 and took many photos- Times change and it was quite deserted and neglected--but Memories remain with nostalgia. 2007---Dilksush Vishranti Griha (my Meals stop / home away from home) in Fort area was sold -and became a Bar some years back; Now closed and vanished Neelam Dhabha is closed in last photo -Shere e Punjab is still running- doing well it appears in the office lunch crowd. LBS College is now IMU and a high rise College building today BUT---Indira Dock gate is Walled in- Docks activity is much reduced, almost nothing TIME CHANGES ALL Change is inevitable – Dufferin was scrapped in 1972/73 and Replaced after the great service rendered. Salutations RGDS TR Dufferin Class of 1963

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