Voyage 52

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Voyage 52 was a bad trip.   
Thirty eight years ago, we were still in the dark ages.   Masters were often tyrants and had to be obeyed at all costs. 
Adventure and tourism were uncommon and the maritime industry was a totally different place to work in than it is today.  

We departed Marsden Wharf heading for ten days at sea.  The engineer was my former husband.  I was cook. (second and third left).
It was rough around Kawau Island and when a gust caused the ship to heel over, green water came in the scuppers and washed along the deck.  One trainee was swept along with it and hit the railing at full force.    Yow....
Katie was a sore girl.  She was assisted to her bunk where she stayed until the First Mate finally convinced the Captain that she needed medical assistance.  It took a few days.      It was a rattly ambulance that took her and I up to Auckland Hospital.   Katie's ribs were cracked and by then pleurisy/septicemia had set in.  

On remembering this story I ask myself "Would it happen like this today?"
Would a master risk the stability of his ship to this extent?
Would the no alcohol & fatigue policy be adhered to?
Are crew suitably trained to recognise the extent of injuries on a person?
Could we rely on passengers/crew/trainees not contacting the outside world and if they did, could we handle the resulting media frenzy? 

These are issues to address sooner rather than later.





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