We returned to a warm Christmas spirit in Sri Lanka after having spent an enjoyable vacation in India. Christmas and New Year celebrations were wonderful to say the least, but now, it was time to get back to work. For me to get a re-appointment on my earlier ship I had to wait till about April. I couldn't wait that long and was on the hunt for a job.
It was around this time, a friend of mine, also a Captain, called and asked if I could take over command of a ship which they were managing, as the Captain currently onboard needed to return home as soon as possible to attend to an urgent domestic matter.
I agreed to take up the job and left Sri Lanka to join the ship in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. After I went on-aboard I realized that I had come to take over a ship in very bad condition, in every which way. The ship had no proper trading certificates and had a lot of administrative and mechanical problems. The crew had not received their wages for about four months and the main and auxiliary engines were in a dilapidated state. The Captain pleaded with me to help him by taking over command of the vessel, so that he could leave to attend to a very urgent family matter.
On the assurance given by the owners that the trading certificates would be put in order prior to departure from Dar-es-Salaam, and the crews wages will be paid as soon as possible, I agreed to take over command and relieve the Captain on-board.
Three days later, the valid trading certificates were placed on-board and I took command of the vessel.
My Vacation in Mumbai
Few days
after I signed off the ship, We visited Mumbai. It was to spend a holiday there
meeting my friends and teachers at Lal Bhadur Shastri Nautical &
Engineering College. While we were in Bombay I visited Capt. Subramaniam and
his family. When I was there he invited me for the passing out parade of the
cadets of T.S. “Rajendra” and for lunch thereafter. At that time, he was the
Captain Superintendent of the ship. I was privileged and honoured to be an
invitee for such an important event.
T.S. (Training
Ship) “Rajendra” was the training ship of that kind after the famous “Dufferin.”
The cadets who passed out of those training ships were considered the cream of
Indian Marine society and, there was no doubt about it. Merchant Navy cadets
not only from India, but also from countries which includes, Sri Lanka,
Malaysia, Singapore, Iran, etc. were also trained.
Many of the
top people in the Sri Lankan shipping circle are also from the aforementioned
training ships. The passing out parade was spectacular. There were many Extra
Masters of India who attended the ceremony.
The Extra
Master qualification is the highest qualification in Merchant Marine. With that
qualification, one could work as a lecturer in a nautical college, an examiner
or as a nautical surveyor.
At lunch I
was glad to meet many of these distinguished persons in the Indian Merchant
Marine. Some of them had been my teachers while others had been my examiners.
There was a very common question; Why did you go to Australia for your
Masters???
I am
forever grateful to the Government of India for educating us Sri Lankans and
for not burdening us with heavy College fees. We were only charged a capitation
fee of Indian Rupees five hundred, the only extra charged levied on us.
The Vessel Commenced Sailing Between Colombo and The North and East of Sri Lanka
Following
the meeting, the Commissioner General of Essential Services chartered the
vessel. Few days later we received instructions from the Company that we had to
paint the Red Cross at three conspicuous places on the ship in keeping with the
denotation of the International Red Cross.
Thereafter
the ship was loaded with containers of foodstuff and essential items destined
for Mullaitivu and Jaffna. In addition to the ship’s crew, I had two fork lift
drivers, one mechanic and one helper from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority as well
as a representative from the International Red Cross, a Frenchman. Accommodation was never a problem as there
was ample cabin space in the ship.
On
completion of loading, the vessel sailed for Trincomalee. On arrival at
Trincomalee, the ship was further loaded with containers stuffed with bagged
wheat flour. We left Trincomalee and arrived in Mullaitivu, the morning of July
31st.
Few hours
after the vessel anchored off Mullaitivu, we saw a small boat approaching. When
it came alongside, we saw one priest and three others. One of the officers met them at the gangway
and brought them up to the bridge. I greeted them and immediately arranged for
some soft drinks. After making himself comfortable, the priest, a Catholic, introduced
himself as Rev Fr. Stalin - the Parish Priest of Mullaitivu church. As I was
talking to them, he said that since they were Tamils, he and his men were
afraid to come on board as we were all Sinhalese. He further said he never
expected this sought of treatment. I said to him, “Father, I have 24 Sinhalese on
board and you will know of us, our thoughts and attitude during this brief
encounter. We are not for war. Unfortunately, there is a certain group in the
North and East who have created this situation and we are at the receiving end
of all these selfish and self-centred actions of those people.”
The charter
continued for about six months. I was so glad; my crew and I were able to help
at a personal level, those whom we met in Mullaitivu, Point Pedro and in Delft
Island.
Carrying Essential Food Items To The North And East Of Sri Lanka
My ship was in Colombo, after towing a disabled Maldivian
vessel which was drifting at sea about 120 miles South East of the port of Colombo. It was during the South West monsoons and the
weather was very rough. I remember when we approached and got closer to the vessel,
first we checked with the Master if there were any sick people on board. Fortunately, there weren't any sick people
but they needed fresh water and food. Thankfully, we were able to supply some
fresh water through a small flexible pipe, and transfer some food. The towline was then connected and the vessel was brought safely to the port of Colombo. It
was a good operation; rescuing life at sea.
The total number of officers and ratings onboard
at that time was about 19. All 19 persons were Sinhalese. While all
government officials and our company directors waited in my cabin, I went down
and had a meeting with all my officers and crew - they all were ready to go to
the North and declined any extra payment. This was conveyed to all who were waiting
in my cabin. They left the vessel with a lot of regard for us.
Around the same time, when the
ethnic war erupted in July of 1990, all communication and transport to the North of
Sri Lanka came to a stand still. This created a situation in the North and in
some parts of the East of Sri Lanka where the Government had no way of sending foodstuff and
essentials. People living in those areas had the wolf at their doors.
It was
around this time that the Department of Essential services which came under
purview of the Ministry of Social
Services had approached our Company seeking help to transport foodstuff and
essential items to the North.
I remember,
one day a few Government officials including the Commissioner General of
Essential Services came onboard. While talking with me he
asked if my crew and I were agreeable to go to the North with some essential
items. He further asked if I would ask for an extra allowance for going into an
area considered to be dangerous due to the ongoing war. I told him that I was ready but I have to check with my crew and would let him know. He requested for
an answer immediately, if possible.
First Command
When I was waiting to meet the Director of Operations at Sri Lanka Shipping Company, I was thinking to myself, well if it is another ship to the Company
then I do not have to go job hunting. Most definitely I will get a job as Chief
Officer. By this time I had already had five years of experience as the
Chief Officer with the company. Since I had just obtained my Masters certificate I did not have any experience of being in command of a vessel and as a result the chances of me being given the opportunity were rather slim.
It was
almost closing time, when I finally saw all the people who were at the meeting walking out of the board room. The Director of Operations called me and he said “ John, there is good news for us and
for you!” “The good news for us is that we decided to go in for a multipurpose
vessel and take it over in Singapore in May." "The good
news for you is that we have decided to give you command of that vessel.” It was news
that I never expected. I thanked God and thanked him from the bottom
of my heart.
He further
said, “Be prepared to leave around the 14th of May and be touch with
my secretary for further details. I will meet you for a
briefing before that, and I will let you know in a day or two.”
God has
always been so good!
I
immediately called my wife and conveyed the best news that I could possibly have had in my life. She was very happy to hear about it. Soon after, I called my mother and
gave the news. That night I invited few close friends and had a small celebration at a Restaurant in Colombo.
On May 16th, I, along with the superintendent and few other crew members left for Singapore to
take over the new vessel.
Job Hunting
After
arriving in Sri Lanka, and taking a short break, I decided to send in a
few applications to find a job at sea.
This was around the first week of May. My sister-in-law helped me in
preparing an application using her office computer although I still was not sure to
which Shipping Companies I ought to send my application. However, I made sure
that my very first application was submitted to Sri Lanka Shipping Company. I met with the Director Operations and, handed over my
application personally to him. I was always very confident that he will help
me, somehow or the other.
Few days
later, I visited a friend of mine at his office - an ex-Captain whom I had
sailed with. While I was chatting and having some tea with him, my wife called me and said there was a call from the secretary of Sri Lanka Shipping Company who had requested I meet with the Director of Operations this afternoon.
Following that message, I immediately returned home and called the secretary to find out the time of my appointment. She said that I ought to come around
2.00 p.m.
I was there
well before that time. When I informed the secretary that I was going to be in the
waiting area she said, “There is a board meeting going on, it was stopped for
lunch and resumed only about fifteen minutes ago, so please wait.” I said “OK”
and went and sat with the Operations Manager, who was a very
senior member of the staff. I am not a
stranger to the Office or to the Company, as such I was very well treated whenever I visited them.
While talking
with me, the secretary mentioned that the Company is going to buy a multipurpose
vessel and the meeting could be to take a final decision on that matter.
We Left Australia After Passing The Masters
We left
Sydney, Australia on or about February 14, 1990. We did not have many friends
in Sydney but the few we had were very helpful and were always there for
us. Even the day we were leaving one of
them called to make a very sincere request: “Stay back, we will help you and
you will do well here.” One reason I decided to come was, I had to see to my
mother’s and sister’s welfare, as my father passed away while I was studying in
Sydney. It was my duty, and priority at that time.
I Passed The Master Mariner Exam
After passing the Master Mariner exam in December 1989, we spent a few weeks in Australia. During this time we visited the
Australian capital, Canberra, and also Brisbane.
It was easy for us because in both places we had
friends who took care of us during the stay.
In the meantime, as a practise, I kept in touch with
the Director Operations of the Shipping Company, I worked for when I was in Australia. When I passed the exam I did not waste
time in informing him of the good news. When I phoned him and conveyed the good
news he congratulated me and said “We might have something for you when you get
back!” That message registered very strongly in my mind.
Master Mariner Exam
I passed my Master Mariner exam in December that year. But,
remained in Australia until February 1990, to do some touring and catching up
with a few friends who lived in Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.
There was a very good opportunity for my class mates and I
who passed the exam, to remain in Australia and apply for permanent resident
status, as the College was ready to employ a few of us, as teachers. But,
especially after my father’s death I wanted to return to Sri Lanka and be with
my mother and family. It was unfair by me to just stay away from the family
under such circumstances.
I returned to Sri Lanka in February and started looking for
a job at sea. God is great! In May, the same year, a senior Captain, helped me
with a job as Master. That was great, I thought. It’s truly a rare occasion,
that one gets command straight away. Thanks be to God.
I joined the ship in Singapore and sailed for about seven months.
I signed off for Christmas. Prior to my signing off, the shipping company
wanted me to return, and they found a person to fill-in for me for two months.
I had a good Christmas with my family. Of course I missed my father very much.
Sad News from Home
After
sailing on the Atlantic Universal for about Nine months, I signed off the ship
in Sheerness, England and went back home.
I did not
have happy feelings on arrival at home because of the news I’ve already had
about my father’s ill health. He went through a major operation but did not
seem to recover, well. This made us very sad.
In the
meantime, I applied to the Maritime College in Sydney, Australia and within a few
weeks after having received my acceptance, I had to make necessary preparations
to proceed to Australia latest by end January in the coming year. Whatever the
work I had, I always found time to take my father to the doctors for
consultations and treatment.
Christmas
that year was not a good one for my family and I.
New year
was dawn, and I left for Australia with my wife on January 28 that year. Upon arrival in Sydney, we were met and taken
to his house by one time the superintendent of the shipping company I worked
for. He helped us to find an apartment
and when we found a suitable one we shifted to live there.
I joined
the college, and started attending classes the first week of February. I called
my father regularly, and it appeared his condition was deteriorating. I was engrossed in my studies preparing for
the forthcoming exams and without my knowledge I had let a few weeks pass
without checking on my father’s health condition.
I
immediately called home when I realised this, but unfortunately the telephone
was out of order. Then I contacted one of my father’s brothers who told me that
his condition was not very good. I felt that he avoided giving me details.
On the 7th
of April 1989, I returned home after completing one paper. Well, I had no
problems answering that and I thought that being a Friday I must have a good
evening.
Around 4.15
p.m. the telephone rang, when I picked it up for a moment I thought it was my
father’s voice but what that person said was not clear. I immediately called
home and was happy to have found the phone working.
My mother’s
cousin answered the phone and he asked me to hold on while my mother came on
line. She could not talk and was breaking down; with great difficulty she said
“Son, your father passed away. On hearing this the receiver in my hand fell on
the floor and, with that the line was disconnected.
I called
again and my mother’s cousin came on line and told me that my father passed
away at home at about 12.00 noon on that day.
It was very
bad news. With all I knew of my father’s sickness I always thought that he
would live for another few years.
I was all
alone and wept uncontrollably with thoughts of my father tearing my heart, soul
and my very being.
I had
nothing much to do; I called home and spoke with my mother once again. I confirmed
that it is impossible for me to attend the funeral and therefore they ought not
to delay it but have it on Sunday when it’s convenient for people to attend.
She agreed and said she will convey the message to my brother.
Thereafter,
I began to pray and I refer to the following verse from the Holy bible:
John 11 : 25 –26
Then I
imagined that, ‘my father had served the purpose of God and has returned back
to Him.’
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