Class '77
REUNION
This site is an opportunity to be in touch with class and ship mates and compare notes of adventures, success stories, mischievous port calls, and worst.
CLASSMATES
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Director, Agua Tech.Design and Manufacture water and wastewater industrial plants Yorkshire. UK/ ex Hull
At a port in Kuwait, ensigns.
Once upon a time in port of Shwaikh, there were about 8 ships alongside from UASCo...So, being mischievous and challenged by C/O to prove our seafarering worthiness, to swap all the ensigns of the 8 ships...
We did it during the night, next morning we had to face the music...as the captains were complaining and accuseing our ship captain of being the instigator...
The snag was, we had forgot to change / swap our own ensign...
Either way, we were rewarded with afree case of ale and a ceremonious reprimand.
Laith
At a Saudi Port, whisky for a sheep.
At a Port in Saudi, we noticed a sheep carrier ship astern of our ship and she had a Saudi flag so she was a dry ship.
We agreed on a barter with them, a bottle of whisky for a live lamb but we had to sort out the "logistics". At that time we were off loading miltery equipment and the Saudi army had their trucks on the jetty to take the off load away. We got friendly with the army sargeant and we asked him to help us with a car to bring the sheep from the other ship, he agreed and as we brought it back it would not go up the gangway and created a lot of noise and suddenly the customs with the port security arrived.
They said all of you cadets will go to the police cell for the night, I said will the army sargent come with us too. They looked at each other and said the army is envolved too so we better leave these kids or all will be in deep shit. Safa
At an Italian Port
One day and whilst thier ship was in Italy a Radio Officer who shall remain nameless (His intial is Barraq Al-Bayatti), went out with extra 3rd officer who also shall remain nameless (but whos initials is Rashad Al-Jarrah) went ashore for shopping. Whilst there, they met with a very nice Moroccon arab brothers who invited them for an ice cream. They had thier ice cream. The next morning, they found themselves inside a train coach in a dis-used train station. Rashad looked at Barraq and asked, Our money has gone ..but is your arse hurting you?.
Wahab
At The Port Of Shuaiba, police Pursuit.
One day in 1981 whilst we were in the port of Shuaiba a RO-RO ship pulled alongside, a few hours later the jetty was full of cars, all new of the same make and colour. I was bored on deck with Ayad Farhan beside me, I said: these cars are destined for Iraq and I bet you they left them unlocked with the keys inside, let's go and have a look, so we went down the gangway and guess what? the cars were unlocked with the keys in the ignition! I said to Ayad fancy a drive? he said NOOOO we will be in trouble. I said don't be a pussy, it is the middle of the afternoon, port security are probably sleeping in their air-conditioned cabin by the entrance gate, no one will notice. So we took a car each and after a few laps in the port 2 jeeps appeared with the guards inside gesturing furiously and shouting STOP STOP WHAT ARE DOING? so, naturally I did what any obedient cadet would do in this situation, I put my foot down hard on the accelerator and took off, followed by Ayad and the jeeps in hot pursuit but the daredevil in me managed to lose them, I raced back to the ship at full speed dodging a few obstacles on the way, slammed the brakes and flew up the gangway. Two minutes later an angry-looking security guard comes up the gangway holding onto poor Ayad by the collar. I thought OH SHHHIIITT but instinctively I started walking towards them. Not knowing I was the driver of the other car he says with an angry voice "where is the captain?" I looked at him and said calmly ASSALAMU ALAYKUM, WHAT IS THE MATTER? he said, this guy is going to jail, he took a car from the jetty and drove off with it! I said, yes I know, these cars are for Iraq and we are Iraqis authorised by the government to make checks, has nobody told you? he said NO no one told me with a confused look on his face. I then said OH, apologies, but don't worry I will deal with him and I pulled Ayad away. We never saw him again and we had so many laughs that afternoon.
Raad Al-Jawher
At a port in Kuwait, picking on the wrong guy.
One day. On Ibn Albeitar at Anchorage off shore Kuwait’s Al Shuwaikh port and having waited for two months for orders. We finally received instruction to heave up the Anchor and proceed to pick up pilot. Being an enthusiastic deck cadet on my 2nd trip and knew every thing there was to know I proudly went to my assigned mooring station on the poop deck aft.
While coming along side there was a dark over weight local guy dressed in local attire standing orchestrating the mooring ops aft. Clearly he had nothing to do with the job because he was giving instruction to moore the ropes. I , being very experienced deck cadet, shouted to him to place the ropes correctly. He looked up at me and very eloquently sworn at me telling me to mind my own business. Seeing my status and pride dented in such a humiliating fashion I was not to let him get away with it. I reciprocated the compliment to which his response was a few words in the walki talkie.
Shorly after completion. We headed for smoko. The Captain summond me to the bridge and said what on earth was the altercation all about? I told him the storey. He Said well. You chose a hill of a guy to pick a fight with. He is Khalid Alhashash "The Harbour Master". To which My response was oops.
Later on
My self , Captain Edwards. capt Mudhar Alwan Fleet Manager and many others from UASCo head office. All were summond to Mr Al Hashash office. Where I recieved heavy Gun fire from every body to which my comments to them was its done and I am sorry it cannot be undone. His decision was to transfere me and the ship had to go to Anchorage again for a week.
Years later I had another encounter with the harbour master. But this time I was a third officer.
This time he saw me passing by his office when I was applying for discharge book. He called after me and said I know you. I said do you pretending to be surprised. He said. Many years ago. On one of UASC ships. There was an incidence. I gave up the denial then as its clearly No use and said do you still remember. He Said be honest. Werent you wrong.
I said I was a cadet and with little or No experience.
He said. Sit down and have a tea with me. Very kind and accommodating guy he turned out to be very friendly too. We became friends after that. On that day he called Capt Sabih Saleh the then was the fleet manager and commended me for a promotion.
Those were the days.
Anees