Seafaring night on TV

[Captain Kong]

An interesting night on MORE4 TV last night. UK freeview.
Today in the 101st Annivrsary of TITANIC hitting the Ice Berg, so they did a documentary of the sinking and Court of Inquiry, I visited the site 5 years ago on the date,

followed by What Sank the Mary Rose

that was followed by a Documentary of the Costa Concordia, interesting listening to the voice of the Coast Guard shouting at Schettino to get back on board and his refusal.

That was followed by the How the Bismark sank HMS HOOD.
Cheers
Brian.

[j.sabourn]

Maybe on these seafaring programmes they may explain if there has been further alteration to the certification as most on here once knew it. The norm in our time was Master Mate and 2nd.Mate F.G. and Master and Mate Home Trade. Engineers was 1 and 2nd Class Steam and/or motor. During later years they brought out 1 2 3 4 and 5 class masters. As far as I know the engineers may have had something similar. All these class numbers had certain restrictions on them. Also during my time They also brought out what they call Middle Trade which included the Meditteranean. Maybe this was to facillitate those with restrictions on certificates. I should imagine with the hash and lowering supposedly of standards they may have altered again. What makes me ask was that in the Article that Doc Vernon sent, I opened and there was a questionairre in it asking should re. Indian ships, should Panamanian certificates be accepted. I thought all certification was supposedly now universal and down to the lowest denominator. Maybe someone recently retired would be able to clarify the present structure of certification. Cheers John Sabourn

[j.sabourn]

Further to above anyone with recent knowledge. I know there is at least one person on this site with Extra master Certification, does such still exist, this was usually a passport to the DTI as an examiner/marine surveyor. When people are doing courses and receiving qualifications ( as I read it ) before ever stepping foot on a ship, I just do not understand the present set up. John Sabourn