On the good ship Lloydcrest when we docked in Rotterdam after a fairly rough passage across the Atylantic, I was visited by the Radio Surveyor.
I had been reported by the American’s for being off frequency during my Short Wave transmissions. When he saw what I was operating with a Marconi 381/398 transmitters and I told him how the aerial swayed during the passage and the buffer amp was not much good, he was a lttle more understanding. Further assuring him that I would get the Terch’s aboard when we got back to the UK, he left quite satisfied
I felt you were’nt a fully trained RO until you had been reported by the Yanks.
I also got one for calling too many times without giving my callsign
Try getting through to Mena Al Amadi (MBU) if you did’nt call him about 20 times( MBU MBU MBU etc) before giving you callsign- you would never get through – when he said “de” you jumped in with both feet!
He would only select about ten ships before he called it a day.
Stan McNally
About S McNally
Joined Marconi in 1953.Sailed with Denholms (Wellpark April 53-Nov53), Esso (Winchester Nov 53 -Jan54) Silverline (Siverburn Jan54-June 55), Elder Demsters (Freetown Aug 55 - Nov 55), Ivanovic SS Co. (Lloydcrest Nov 55 - Jan56, ) BP (Br Bombardier Jan56 -Sept56), Monarch SS Co. ( British Monarch Jan57 - Dec 58), Shell (Fragum Jan 59 - April 59), ? (Cape Clear Sept 59 - Dec 59), Denholms (Ruysdael Jan 60 - April 60)
Came ashore Liverpool as TMTA with the big M April 1960 retired as Radio Surveyor April 1998 after 45 years with the big M.
Had an idea to stop all the false alarms (98%) from the new R.O. at sea the EPIRB.
I patented my idea and formed a new company " Innovation Technology UK Ltd "and developed EPIRB Guard Receiver (see www.stanguard.com) - they said I would be a millionaire - but ship owners dont change - they wont buy what they dont have too)
But some of the Good ones did, P & O, Irish Navy, James Fisher,and one or two others, including Tugs and Yatches. I have parked the company to save my resources and am awaiting the call - they say it takes 10 years to be recognized - thats in 2013
In the mean time I have enjoy my time with the Planet Lightship and then Fort Perch Rock, and the great teams who have been there.
I have enjoyed every minuters of my career, including the ups and downs.
It makes you what you are.
We still have evenings out with six guys and their wives who worked for the Big M, some of whom went to pastures new.
There is still quite a lot to do!
But its supprising what you can do when you try.
Stan McNally
