Drinking on board

[J Gowers]

I was at sea with Denholms 1974 to 84 every ship had a bar, some had draught beer, and no restrictions as long as you could do your watch I never heard of any problems. Some were British crew and they had their own bar which was similar to the officers bar, same thing with BP a few years later 1986/87. Went to rigs a few years later still in 1989 and stayed there for over 30 years no bars on rigs but you were doing a 12 hour shift every day.

Many years later 2005, I was on heavy lift ship, (Blue Marlin) taking a couple of rigs from the USA to India , I was rig crew, and we could buy beer from the ships Chief Steward, it was crewed by Latvians and was immaculate. The rig crew stayed in the crew cabins of the ship two to a room and every cabin had a fridge for storing/chilling the beer it was very civilised, even had a bar B Que one weekend with the American rig guys making the food on one of the rigs and the ships captain supplying the beer, a good day was had by all.

[Des Jenkins]

It was a bit remiss of me to say I wasn't on a ship that had beer, on the Kiwi ship Kawarau we carried a full load of boxes of Cans of beer in No1 hatch from Melbourne to Fiji, the mate forgot to lock the mast house door, Firemen coming off watch on th 12 to 4 had the best of times carrying cases down to the combined mess room.
Des

[Doc Vernon]

Just an addition to that Des, on all my Ships we always had what was known as the Beer Carry and Linen Carry in the Mornings. Each of us Stewards had to Lug at least Two Bags each from one point to another, and then carry Min. of 4 Cases of Beer from the Stores to the Bar and Pig Storage Areas. So on the way it was always done we used to nick a bottle or three and drink it on the way. True!
So before the first Serving of Brekkie, most of us were a wee bit light footed! LOL.

But never saw anyone too bad not to do his Job properly.
Great times had!

[j.sabourn]

#6; my first experience of buying my own bond in Rotterdam the cigarettes were 32/- for 5 cartons ( 1000 cigs)
Spirits averaged out at about 8/- a bottle and the beer varied , I was used to seeing previous to this whether a masters bond or Companies bond at 12/- a carton and a bottle at 12/- so you can work out any profiteering , can’t remember the beer but was nearly as cheap as buying at a supermarket. JS
Shore people are apt to confuse duty free and VAT free , those who holiday on the continent are apt to be the most confused between copper and pounds between the two….JS

[Des Jenkins]

You Can just about reverse those numbers now John, $1000 for 50 cigarettes
Cheers Des

[j.sabourn]

As well as being good for the health figures Des it is also extremely healthy for the treasury figures whatever else could they tax and have a perfect alibi for doing so ? JS.
Maybe why the first aid answer for treating trauma disappeared into the mists of time Remember the answer for shock , “ make them comfortable, , give them a cigarette, and a shot of whiskey ? “ St.John’s Ambulance will never live it down .However I still,believe old remedys are the best and still continue to observe. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

As officers steward we always had to go for points for the 8 to 12 when they came off watch.
Often two or three times per officer depending on how they were.
Do not recall any, apart from Abercrombie chief engineer, ever ordering spirits.
But the were allowed to eat in the first class dinning room so who knows what the drank there.

[John Arton]

In the 20 odd years I sailed with Canadian Pacific, from cadet to chief officer, every ship had an officers bar where beer and spirits were available.
During all that time I cannot recall any officer go on watch drunk, the company's view was that the provision of bars on board prevented secret cabin drinking.
We did have some people who could be classed as high functioning alcoholics but these were usually captain's or chief engineer.
Later in stolt tankers I was on the coastal fleet so there was room in the accommodation for a dedicated bar/lounge room but beer was available and spirits from the captain's bond, the company actually had a list of recommendated items to carried in the bond. The only rule was that no alcohol to be sold 18 hours before arrival in port.
Rgds
J.A

[Des Jenkins]

Hi John
Deviating for a moment from the drinks and ciggies if I may and that they will never learn, in Sydney and Queensland where they have been digging tunnels for the trains for the last few years they have discovered that over 300 men may now have silicosis some definitely have it, panic by the State Govt;s as they know there is no cure, I saw many miners with it when I was a a boy.
Des

[Doc Vernon]

Following on the wee bit of Off Topic Des, as you nay recall i was a Miner (Gold Mines in South Africa) working at some 17000 feet. As a Qualified Blaster , had many Days with chocking Dust after a High Speed Blast was done . The Mines then even were very strict on that dreaded Silicosis, and we had to Water down straight after each High Speed Blast! Keeping the dust at Bay as much as possible.
I had been very lucky in my Years down there , not having caught any such dreaded Silicosis!
However my dear one Uncle Cecil, who had been on the Gold Mines as well Years before, plus my late Dad, both had caught it, my Uncle being far worse than my Dad. I too watched him Die in his Chair at Home a pityfull sight it was, after knowing him as such a strapping man .
Yes many many fell ill to to that in many many Mines all over the Globe, but gave their all doing the Job , that most all of us really liked!
Cheers