The ship called at the port of Novorossiyks

Two days before the ship sailed from Venice, the Captain told me that our next port will be Novorossiysk. Novorossiysk was a port in the USSR, (as it was called at that time) situated in the Black Sea. According to the Captain’s advice, I planned the passage to Piraeus in Greece first, as the ship was calling there for bunkers and then sail through the Bosporus Channel, via Istanbul to Novorossiysk.

The ship sailed from Piraeus on the 9th of June 1976 and arrived at Novorossiysk on the 11th of June. As it was summer, it was really good to be there. All officers and crew were paid one month's wages on arrival. As usual the wages were paid in US dollars. If anyone wanted, part of that could have been drawn in Rubles, the USSR currency.

Our wages were paid by the Purser, Peter. The two of us did not take any Rubles. Rules and regulations were very strict in USSR. To proceed ashore, we had to have a shore pass with our photograph attached to it and endorsed by the Port Immigration. There was an Army guard at the gangway on 24-hour duty. Anyone going ashore must return by mid night, as there was no shore leave after that until 8.00 a.m. On the first day itself Peter and I went ashore. We did not have any local currency, only US dollars. As we came out of the gate (main entrance to the port) we saw some people waiting in a queue with bottles and cans to buy beer. Beer was being distributed from a cart fitted with a tank. This was something new to us.

We walked towards the city and came in front of the main Post Office. There we stopped and tried to talk with a few people and found that again the problem was the language. We had our standard questions, such as where we could find a place for a drink, to eat and listen to some music. One gentleman stopped and although he listened to us, it seemed that he did not understand much. So Peter as usual with his sign language conveyed to him what we were looking for. He signaled us to follow him and boarded a bus which came into the nearby bus stand. He paid our bus fare. After about a ten-minute bus ride we all got off and he took us to a nice hotel, the Hotel Leningrad. There we had to buy tickets to enter and this man bought that, too. Later, we came to know that he had paid 10 Rubles for both of us. We were so thankful to him and were very guilty as we did not know how to return the money. We asked his name and he repeated it a few times which neither Peter nor I could understand.  The Russian gentleman left us there and walked off. Both of us walked in and went upstairs. There was a nice sitting area on the balcony. The ballroom and the bandstand were on the ground floor. There was live music and the band had already started. After finding a table with a good view, we settled down there.

Part of the port of Novorossiyks

Bombay to Ravenna

The vessel completed discharging at Mogadishu and Kisi mayo, both ports are in Somalia.

Our next port of call was Bombay. The ship arrived in Bombay around the 25th of March, 1976, and loaded cargo for three ports in Italy, Palermo, Ravenna and Venice. For me, of the many places I visited, Bombay was my second home port. We never had a dull day in Bombay. As usual we had great fun there and finished all our money too. The voyage to Italy commenced around the 12th of April, 1976. During transit in the Suez Canal, it was the same experience. From Port Said to Palermo it took about three days. We spent about five weeks in Italy, sailing between the three ports and discharging cargo.

During the time the ship was in the Italian ports, we observed, the Italian dock workers were easy going people. They worked from Monday to Friday. Daily working hours, as I remember was from about 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM. After the ship had already been in Ravenna for about two weeks; possibly because of the long delay in completing discharging of cargo, the receivers had arranged the dock workers to work half a day on Saturday. It was great. Cases of beer were put onboard and while working they consumed beer. Two of them had brought in their guitars and were providing entertainment for the others who worked. It was great fun for us.

 After completing discharging at Ravenna the ship went to Venice, to discharge remaining cargo.

Part of the Old Port of Ravenna

                                                        Part of the city of Ravenna

The Legend is Gone; The legacy Lives On. Capt.S.S.S.Rewari

The Life and Work of Capt. S.S.S.Rewari

 Capt. S.S.S. Rewari dedicated his life to the Indian seafarer from large maritime forums to simple, individual interactions. From sweeping changes in marine education to a single phone call to help a student in distress, for him the task was one and the same thing. To be a guru, guide and guardian to his students was of utmost importance and any pain on the face of a student reflected with pain in his own heart. He touched everyone in the most personal way.

Capt. S.S.S. Rewari was born on 14th February, 1937. His association with the marine community began with the completion of his pre-sea training from T.S. 'Dufferin' in the ’53 – 54’ batch, where he secured an Extraordinary First Class. He received numerous academic honours including, in 1958, the highest marks in the Radar Observations Course examination. Capt. Rewari was awarded the President’s Gold Medal in 1962 standing first in the country in the Master Mariners Examination. He completed his Extra Master’s from Sir John Cass College, U.K. in 1968.   

In addition to gaining the highest marine professional qualifications, throughout his career Capt. Rewari was dedicated to continuous learning. Professional development courses which he attended include: Trainer of Trainers Course, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management, University of Mumbai; Training Methodology, Indian Institute of Public Administration; Diploma in Personal Counselling, St. Xavier’s Institute of Counselling, Mumbai.

Capt. Rewari began his career, spanning nearly five decades, as an active seafarer and progressed through a series of remarkable academic roles that have changed the face of marine education in India.

Captain Rewari’s sparkling career as an educationalist began in 1962 at LBS CAMSAR (Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Research, formerly LBS Nautical & Engineering College) in Mumbai, as a Nautical Officer. Students recount how his lectures during that period were 'standing room only' as he made even the most dry subjects interesting and full of life. His classes were open to all, each lecture different from the one before, each packed with as many lessons on life as on magnetism or ship stability.

During his 8 year tenure as Vice-Principal, LBS College he was instrumental in the commencement of some key courses for the first time in India: STCW tanker course, Extra First Class and Extra Masters.

In 1987 Capt. Rewari took the helm as Captain Superintendent of T.S. Rajendra (Now T.S. Chanakya).  His years there will be best remembered for pioneering a full fledged degree program (BSc. Nautical Sciences), affiliated to Mumbai University. From that moment no graduate from this college would be denied access to higher education for want of a recognized degree.

Capt. Rewari returned to LBS in mid 1991 as Principal where he revolutionized the institution through sweeping changes such as modernizing the curriculum; completely renovating the campus; installing a Full Mission Bridge Simulator and Cargo Simulator, and arranging procurement of a Full Mission Engine Room Simulator. With these landmark installations of the first marine training simulators in India, Capt. Rewari is credited with ushering in a new era in marine education in this country.

Capt Rewari’s energy and dedication drove him to continue an active professional life after retiring from LBS, when he assumed the post of Director, Marine Education and Training, FOSMA and moved to New Delhi.  During his stint with FOSMA, during which period, as with all institutions with which he has been associated, he sprang new life into the institute and fulfilled his desire of bringing education to the doorstep of seafarers.

Capt Rewari then embarked on what was to become the final stroke in a glorious professional innings – the establishing of Applied Research International (ARI). Under his guidance, and benefiting from his immense experience, knowledge and goodwill, ARI has grown to become one of the largest maritime institutes in India, offering a complete range of training solutions to companies around the globe.

At ARI, his greatest success was in building an organization capable of delivering enduring quality which will stand the test of time. To enable this he put to use a remarkable knack for assessing people, building on their strengths, thereby creating an excellent team with each faculty member carefully chosen and groomed by him.  The ARI family today is more than 300 people and Capt. Rewari enjoys the love and loyalty of each one of them. He was affectionately known as ‘Uncle’ to a large and talented team of mariners, HR professionals, trainers, technologists and managers.

The team that he groomed during his time heading ARI is a strong and dedicated force. They have learnt from him his ideals and have shared his dreams. As the future unfolds, they aim to move marine education to yet a further plane. Capt. Rewari always welcomed change, and as ARI builds on the strong foundation of solid maritime education, with ARI's expertise in technology and HR, new developments and changes will continue. The platform for growth that he established will be of immense value for years to come, and his legacy will be carried forward.

Throughout his distinguished career, Captain Rewari's greatest pride and joy remained the incredible relationships he enjoyed with his students. He was deeply committed to moulding his students into better professionals and better human beings. His departure leaves a void for his students that will be difficult to fill, but it also leaves them, and the entire marine community, with a responsibility to carry forward the values and the respect for knowledge that were so close to his heart.

During his career, Capt. Rewari co-authored with Capt. T.K. Joseph benchmark academic publications including “Principles of Navigation”, “Ship’s Magnetic Compass”, and most recently, an updated edition of “Stability, Trim and Cargo Calculations on M.V. ‘Hindship’ and Oil Tankers”.

In 2001 Capt. Rewari was presented with the Fellowship of the Nautical Institute in honour of his lifelong contribution to marine education. He was Chairman, Northern and Eastern Branch of the Nautical Institute and had served many times as a member of the UPSC Selection Board.

Perhaps his greatest achievement is that he not only guided his students professionally, but by his example he also taught them how to love, share and forgive. It is these lessons of life which shall be with his students forever.

Former Nautical Advisor to Goverment of India

Capt. P.S. Vanchiswar Receives the Varuna Award, Maritime Industry’s Highest and Most Coveted Award

Capt. P.S. Vanchiswar received the Varuna Award, Maritime industry’s highest and most coveted award, at the hands of Mr. G. K. Vasan, Minister of Shipping and Chief Guest at the Grand Finale of the 50th National Maritime Day Celebrations, which was held in Mumbai.

The “Grand Finale” was held on the 5th April at the Y.B. Chavan Auditorium, in South Mumbai with G.K. Vasan, Union Minister of Shipping gracing the occasion as Chief Guest, P.K. Sinha, Secretary (Shipping) presiding over the function and Rear Admiral (retd) Peter Brady, Director General, Jamaica Maritime Authority attending as the Guest of Honor. The country’s most prestigious Varuna Award was conferred by the NMDC on P.  S. Vanchiswar and the award for outstanding contribution to Maritime and Education Training was bestowed on Capt Harry Subramaniam. 

 
INDIAN MARITIME UNIVERSITY, MUMBAI CAMPUS - MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER  
   
Dr./Captain P.S. Vanchiswar

Ph.D., Extra Master Mariner, Professor Emeritus, World Maritime University Ex-I.M.O. Adviser/Consultant Ex-Nautical Adviser to the Government of India T.S. Dufferin 1943-45 Roll no: 633

This is a very joyous occasion for us to celebrate the great success of our Maritime Training Establishments through the national and International achievements of their alumni. I submit that at the same time it is also an occasion for the following; 

(i) Paying homage to those great Indians of the past, who made "Maritime education & training" possible for us commencing with Late Mr. P.S. Sivaswami Iyer, who made, through his tenacious efforts, the then British Government of India establish I.M.M.T.S. Dufferin, about two decades before our independence.

(ii) Heartfelt commendation of the merit and determination of the "Pioneer Batches of Cadets", who proved against odds, that Indians can be very competent officers. 

(iii) Sincere "Thanks giving" by those of us, who are beneficiaries, to those who made it possible for us to benefit. 

(iv) Expressing our admiration to the independent Government of India in giving high priority to maritime training, very soon after our independence. 

(v) Conveying our gratitude to the shipowners and others employers, who have appreciated the high quality of the alumni of our maritime training institutions. 

(vi) Planning for the future. 

May God bless you, Sir.
   

Capt Subramaniam, Chief Guest at CMM's Anniversary Celebrations - Repost

Extra Master, Maritime Lecturer, Maritime Campus Principal, author of the "Nutshell Series" of Nautical Books for marine students and a well known Indian maritime professional, Captain H. Subramaniam with his wife Prema attended the Company of Master Mariners of Sri Lanka (CMM) 20th anniversary celebrations as the chief guest. 

A talented teacher with a friendly outlook, Capt Subramanium was very helpful to the many Sri Lankans who studied at the Lal Bhadhur Shastri Nautical & Engineering College (LBSN &EC) in Mumbai, India. Capt. Subramaniam was the Chief Examiner of Extra Masters in India and a Marine Examinations Consultant for the Marshall Islands Ships Registry. 




About Captain Harry Subramaniam
 
Author at Vijaya Publications

Experience

Maritime Examinations Adviser at Marshall Islands Ship Register

Author of 8 technical books on the operation of merchant ships

Teacher at LBS College of Advanced Maritime Studies & Research, Mumbai
August 1968 - September 2002 (34 years 2 months)

Full time teaching at Maritime Training Institutions for over 45 years.

Ship Rajendra & Training Ship Chanakya for 4 years & Principal of LBS College for 8 years.

After 2002, was GM Training at Eurasia Ship Management Co for 4 years. Now Maritime 
Training

Consultant in Mumbai.

GM Training at Bernard Schulte Ship Management
1994 - 1998 (4 years)

Education

Lawrence School, Lovedale, South India
1951 - 1957

Honors and Awards
 
Prominent awards received

1. ‘Man of the year Award’ in 2001 by Sailor Today magazine for ‘His conception and implementation of the
Indian National Database of Seafarers (INDos)’.

2. ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ in 2002 by Marine World magazine.

3. ‘Literary Distinction Award’ by Marex Bulletin in 2006.

4. ‘Lifetime contribution to Maritime Training Award’ by GlobalMet in 2007.

5. ‘Individual Innovation Award 2007’ by Sailor Today Magazine for the manner in which he conducted India’s first Maritime Quiz for Seafarers.

Visiting Ashore in Mogadishu for the Third time

 In 1976 - Juba Hotel in Mogadishu

Peter and I went ashore for the third time. On that occasion, the Captain told us to stay overnight and gave us money for our expenses. We checked into two single rooms in the Juba hotel on company expense. Juba hotel had a night club and both of us went in there. There was typical African style live music. There were hundreds of women of various age groups. We did not have any problem finding dancing partners. Peter had brought with him the bottle containing the stuff which he had bought in the Suez canal; Spanish Fly. Now he wanted to try it on one of the girls. Peter poured the liquid into a beer glass of one of the girls, without her knowledge. It did not take long for the girl to get drunk and collapse on Peter’s lap. We decided the best thing was to get the hell out of that place and we moved out. However, we had spent quite a long time because when we left the night club it was about 2.00 a.m. Both of us had consumed copious quantities of beer and were quite high when we got back to our rooms.

It turned out to be an evening full of fun, especially after the episodes in two ports in East Germany. Sea life could be very boring and depressing, too, if not for activities that we create for ourselves.

When we went for breakfast in the hotel as usual, the menu was presented to us. Although it was a fantastic menu card, there was hardly anything to order. We both had the usual fried eggs with a lot of bread.

We could see the future of that country from the way the stevedores handled the cargo. Most of the bags fell into the sea. Later we came to know that it was not an accident but it was the Managing Director's order to complete the loading of the cargo soon. It was a very sad sight. The cargo was coming on as an aid package from the United Nations to build that country.

I observed that the stevedores were almost starved. The shift was to change in every 24 hours and the only food I saw them eating was some thing made out of flour with boiled corn. All the remaining food, after the ship’s crew had eaten, were given to them. They came in groups, just put their hands covered in cement into the containers and had their share. It was a pathetic sight. I went ashore few more times before the ship sailed from Mogadishu. Somalia had been under the Italians for some time. The time we were there, I observed a lot of Somalis embracing Islam. Mogadishu, the capital city was in a very poor state.   

Vessel called at port of Mogadishu

                                                              Old port of Mogadishu
   

It was great spending Christmas and New year in Avonmouth. So much so, that, I had to cut down my going ashore even to the Seafarers’ club as I had no money to spend.

After spending almost two weeks in that port the ship sailed for Rotterdam. We had very little cargo for that port. Therefore, discharging of the same did not take much time. However, after that, the ship was there for almost two weeks, waiting until the owners fixed the next consignment.

Vessel proceeded to Wismar and then to Rostock and loaded cargo for Mogadishu. The cold weather was unbearable but we enjoyed our stay.

Finally, the ship sailed out of Rostock crossed the Suez Canal and sailed through to the Red sea. Total time on that voyage was about fourteen days, and we arrived at the Mogadishu anchorage. It was around the 1st of March 1976. There was a boat service to and from the shore. We called the boat and the Captain asked Peter (Purser on board) and myself to go ashore, visit the ship’s agents, collect crew mail and any other documents for the ship and also to find out when they were planning to commence cargo operation, etc. The Captain also told Peter to take a few cartons of cigarettes to be given to the Somalis to spur them to action.

It was a good chance for both of us to go ashore. We visited the agent's office and met the Managing Director. He welcomed us and thereafter was busy with his own business. After a short while Peter handed over one carton of cigarettes to him. He immediately ordered two cups of black tea for us and was ready to talk about our matters.

I was asked to go to another section and look for the ship’s mail. There was quite a lot. In the past, mail was the only communication that we had with our families. I managed to locate and collect a lot of official and crew mail. The Managing Director advised us that it would take a few days for the cargo operation to commence as they did not have many barges.

Then I went one step ahead and told him to expedite the cargo operation and that I would tell the Captain to 'look after' him. He was delighted and ordered some more tea. He promised that he would definitely do something. With that good news and carrying all the mail, etc., Peter and I decided to have lunch. The only place for a decent meal was the Juba hotel, supposed to be the best hotel in Mogadishu. After lunch we went to the ship. The Captain was very anxiously waiting for us. We got a rousing welcome when we boarded the ship. The Captain was very happy to hear that the mission had been successful. The following morning, we received a message from ashore, on the VHF set that one barge and two gangs of stevedores were leaving to come to the ship. The barge was alongside the ship around 9.00 a.m., and discharging commenced.

The cargo, cement in bags, was very carefully loaded in East Germany and was carried very safely. However, here it was handled in a very rough manner causing a lot of damage.