On the 12th November 1973, I joined my first ship at
the port of Colombo. Along with me there was another Sri Lankan and an Indian Cadet. On
that day, I first went to church with my parents. We had a very simple
celebration at home and proceeded to the Shipping office to sign on the vessel.
Those days security was not strict as it is now and about 20 of my immediate
family members including my maternal Grandmother went on board with me. The
ship was moored to buoys mid-stream. The Officer in Charge of the Harbor Police
helped us with transport by offering the Harbor Police motor launch.
I first met with the Chief Officer of the ship. He was an
Indian, Mr. Ashok Mehra. He told me that there were two other cadets and for me
to wait in the Junior Officers Mess room until the Captain arrived on board.
The Captain was out when I boarded the ship. After looking around the ship my
parents along with my relations left. My father was in tears at the time of
leaving. Three of us, my brother, sister and myself were his whole world. Just
before lunch we were informed that the Captain was on board and to meet him.
The Captain was Stuart Brown, from U.K.
At the beginning it was a bit difficult for me to
understand his accent but I got used to it soon. He was very smart and
handsome. He looked elegant in the uniform. After having a brief chat with us
he advised the chief officer to called the Bosun. In short it is Bosun but the
correct term is Boatswain. He was a petty Officer and was the head of the Deck
Crew. When he came in the Captain told him "Bosun, you make them good
seamen and I will make them good officers". Thereafter the Third Officer
showed us to our cabins. I shared a cabin with our Indian colleague. My sea
life started at this point.
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