40 years in the RMT.

A Snapshot of the Career of branch member Simon Neal who has just reached 40 years in the RMT.

14th February 1972 Enrolled at the N.S.T.S. in Graves End, Kent, I was 16 years old on the 19th February.
Joined my First ship as Deck Boy in Southampton on the 9th June 72, the Rena Del Mar, Cruse Liner, Owned by Union Castle.
Stayed on there through J.O.S. , S.O.S. and then E.D.H.
Joined the “ Good Hope Castle “ 7th May 75, Southampton.
One trip on the “ Balmoral Castle “ 17th December 77 to 6th January 78.
Joined the “ Table Bay “ 16th January 78, Owned by O.C.L. but Crewed and Managed by Cayzer Irvine & Co. Ltd. By that time I had got in enough Sea time to get my A.Bs Certificate.
Went to Hamburg for Modifications and a Change of Name to “ Zim Barcelona “ , Promoted to Bosuns Mate.
Joined the “ King George “ Bulk Carrier on the 3rd May 80.
Joined the “ King William “ Sister Ship to the George 22nd October 80.
Joined the “ King Alfred “ a smaller Bulk Carrier than the George & William, 7 Hatches instead of 9.
Joined the “ Balmoral Universal “ 19th January 82 for one trip.
Back to the “ King Alfred “ 7th August 82.
Joined the “ Edinburgh Universal “ 16th December 82.
Joined the “ Scottish Eagle “ 5th June 83, Tanker, in the Falkland Islands, we were Anchored off San Carlos Water, Basically Used as a Fuelling Station, R.N. Ships of all Types, Frigates, Destroyers, R.F.As & Subs would refuel from us, we once had 4 R.N. ships alongside us Two from the Old Patrol that was going Home and Two from the New Patrol that had just come down, the R.N. Crew were Transferring Ordinance across our deck from the Old Patrol to the New One. To Join the “ Scottish Eagle “ we flew to Asuncion Islands then a 10 day Ferry trip to the Ship.
Joined the “ Scottish Lion “ 4th July 84, Circumnavigated the World on this Trip.
Joined my First Ferry 11th June 86, Thoresen Car Ferries “ Dragon “ After that Various Ferries, F E 5, Viking Valiant, Viking Trader, Viking Viscount, on the Viscount we did a MOD Charter if Memory Serves it was Code Named “ Purple Warrior “ ,Pride of Hampshire, Pride of Cherbourg, 14th March 90 Promoted to Bosun, Join European Trader, then on to the new “ Pride of Cherbourg “, ex Isle of Innisfree, Pride of Le Havre, Pride of Bilbao and Finally the Pride of York.
And I have Enjoyed it All.
Simon John Neal.
Bosun. Pride of York.