Kuwait

Friday 5th December

Phone rang at 06.00 suggesting that we would be in Kuwait by 07.00 and to go to stations. First I went up forward with the Bosum and we got the anchors ready to let go. As we got the pilot on board we found we were going straight in, port side to, so we prepared the mooring ropes and the springs. Soon we were tied up and made fast. I got laughed at by the crew as I tied a heaving line to the spring and as I dropped the rope over the rail the knot pulled out. By 09.00 we were working cargo. I worked the first morning with the 3rd officer. Twice we had to reposition the derricks.

At night I went into Kuwait City with Steve (AEO) and Steve (2nd elect). We got our shore passes from the Purser and set off walking to the gates (about 2 miles away over desert and sand etc). After  walking about 100 yards we were given a lift by an Indian in a Datsun estate car. He took us right into the centre of Kuwait City and explained that as it was Friday most of the good shops would be closed. He pointed out the distillation plant where all the water for Kuwait City and the area around is distilled from the sea, joking that if you tried to dig a well for water in Kuwait, all you got was petroleum! The main street was very good and very modern. All the buildings were of the “glass and concrete” type but the Eastern influence made a pleasant change. Eventually we got to the more traditional shops and discovered a huge market where you could buy anything from gold to Heinz Tomato Ketchup. Coming back we got a taxi to the dock gates for 3 dollars then a lift to the ship from a man who was driving round checking people for alcohol (probably customs).

Saturday 6th December

After a morning off I worked with the 3rd Officer on cargo watches in the afternoon. It was quite cold and windy necessitating frequent cups of coffee. Again we had to reposition derricks. I held the ratchet lever up on the dolly wind whilst the 3/O surged the topping lift around the main winch drum (about 4 turns). When in position I let go the lever, locking it, and then we adjusted the guys and preventing to train them. Due to the tide the moorings had to be kept under observation and the gangway had to be left on the quay. When they finished cargo for the day we had to take a draught by torchlight, an added complication to the waves.

Sunday 7th December

After working the morning we had originally planned to go ashore after dinner. However, we decided against it and went at 6 o’clock in the evening. Seven of us went all together. The 3/O and wife and 3eng/O and wife got a lift into town with the supervisor. I was with the two Steves again and we got a lift in a lorry with the bananas to the main road and then a lift from a chap in a pick up into the centre of Kuwait! We later found out that the 3/eng had sent a taxi back for us. This time all the shops were open and we spent an interesting couple of hours walking round. In a Wimpey bar we met Denny the 2nd Stewart. We were just about to come back to the ship so he shared a taxi with us. The taxi however took us to the wrong end of the docks! We walked round for a couple of minutes and then a police jeep picked us up and took us to our side of the docks. We walked on a bit further and then an empty lorry came along. We all jumped into the back of this which brought us within two berths of the Wild Fulmar. We arrived back on board just in time to see the last reel and a half of “The Return of the Seven” (very good too).

Monday 8th December

Billy worked the morning cargo watch with just 2D to go. When I took over after dinner it was obvious they were going to finish pretty soon. (In fact at 14.25). Whist this was going on we started making preparations to sail at 16.00. After testing all the gear, taking final draughts we left Kuwait at 16.20. We were sailing for Mina Al Ahmadi which was about 2 hours away. On arrival we could not go straight in for bunkering so we anchored off for the night. Due to go in at 02.30.