Like many 'old salts', I am absolutely fizzing at the antics of the P&O Ferries management over the sackings of seagoing staff.
Surely the government of our country should not be allowing foreign companies to manage ships which trade round our shores with minimal crew numbers, many without proper certificated skills. This terrible business should be used to pressurise government that vessels such as ferries and coastal craft that frequent our rivers are registered in the UK, fly our flag and abide by the standard of ship maintenance etc that appears to be required by the USA.
We have already, apparently, no say in shipping these days, with no container ships or oil tankers under our ownership or jurisdiction, and yet we are an island and therefore totally rely on trade in and trade out, which is now controlled by foreign countries with doubtful backgrounds.
We must all stand our ground now, or we will end up in a pretty poor place. I’m an ancient, being in my 92nd year, and a good number of my mates who served their country in WW2 would be turning in their graves now at what has befallen this great seafaring nation of ours these days.
It will be difficult to persuade shippers that they need to ship British, as all they want is for their trucks to get across to France, Belgium or Ireland, so the government should tell companies operating on the routes that they must run the ships the British way, or their vessels will be taken away from them with no recompense.
We must all stand together, and push government for a proper decision.
Membership no 312360
More letters
Strong opinions welcome – in your own name
As far as tackling 'fire and rehire' is concerned, this challenging issue remains a high priority for the Union, with extra weight given to our campaigning by a vote of members (in their own names) at the 2023 General Meeting.
We won't keep cadets if we continue treating them like this
Until companies are willing to invest in a decent standard, you will have trouble attracting cadets, as conditions are far worse than in the 1970s when I did my cadetship.
Join us at the PSNC reunion
I am writing to let Nautilus members know that the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's annual reunion will take place this year in Bootle on 27/28 March.