Dock side scene

A very nice picture of Sarnia in St Peter Port, Guernsey.

Classic!

Could even find out the Captain if we knew the exemption flag number!

True ! - 25 or 29 ????

My, weren't we allowed to get close.

Alan

With reference to the exemption flag, I've had a look at the original scan and it's no clearer. Poss 29 or could be 20? If that existed?

Yes both existed. However as Masters retired New Boys took over the "expired" number. Sorry do not know who 20 or 29 were at this time. Mine was 16 and remains my lucky number the Master before me with the 16 flag was Captain Escudier. Any SN members in Guernsey could find out by researching the harbour masters records. Do not think the Condor Fast Ferries have continued this tradition of flying the flag? Although, of course, the Masters all hold exemption certificates - Quite a stiff exam that requires a very detailed knowledge of all the rocks, safe depths, clearing and striking marks around Guernsey, Herm and Sark. In BR days the training included several winter stormy weeks in a small boat being coached by a local fisher/small ferryman - who had often been the coxswain of the St Peterport lifeboat - so knew all the wringles! Certainly a warm up by the fire in the pub in the afternoons was very welcome.

A very good picture, with regards to Pilotage numbers mine (Robin Craythorn) was No. 33 one of three issued to Sealink in March 1976, (Captain G. Evans No. 31, Captain H. T. Bill No. 32) after a very tough and thorough training in January and February that year with Ron Munson Regards

Ronnie Munson, poor old chap, died a few years ago now, fell victim to the evil drink. Owner of the small inter island ferry "Typhoon", which he built along the lines of how a seagull sat in the water. He was one of the local seafaring characters, sadly missing these days.

Condor do not follow the tradition of "flying the flag" and most if not all hold pilot exemption certificates.