Page 214 - Michael Frost-Voyages to Maturity-23531.indd

in the future I had to have a little talk with the delectable Susan. He actually went
on a bit about himself, because he was concerned about his life in another and
very significant way.

On a big ship there was a large body of radio officers, sometimes four,
sometimes seven. There was on Canberra the usual number, but the 2nd R/O
was a bit different; we saw him very frequently on the bridge, doing chart-work,
taking sights, talking about the Collision Regulations etc. – and, of course –
quite often in repairing the radar. I asked him why he was doing the two jobs,
and he said that there was absolutely no future for marine radio officers (they
were probably the most technically sophisticated of all the ship’s officers). “There
will soon be no need for sights, repair of radars (just installation of circuit
boards), knowing Morse code and semaphore, how to repair solid-state radios,
everything we presently do … all will be electronic and just need a technician,”
he declared. “But I like it at sea, so I am studying for my 2nd mates, and will
go on from there and become a deck officer.” This was the only occasion upon
which I heard such prescience respecting where the nautical world was headed.
(I do not believe that the word ‘digital’ had at that time any meaning other than
when related to fingers). He was, of course, absolutely right; sextants are even
now ‘on the bridge’ and the use of astronomical sights still practiced (‘just in
case’), but GPS is so much easier and break-downs, if they occur, would be of
worldwide, and likely catastrophic, scope.

For some two years, I had been occupied in my limited ‘spare’ time in working
on a correspondence course through the International Personnel Management
Association (IPMA) a London college. Started while on Salsette, I had a vague
idea that this certificate might, eventually, provide me with other marketable
skills. When I told the 2 mate about my plan, he scoffed. “I know lots of people
nd
who undertake correspondence courses; I have never met anyone who completed
one!” Words that incentivised me). By May 1968, I had covered all of the courses
except for Corporate Finance, one that despite the difficulty of learning in this
field with no mentor I thought that I could ace given last-minute cramming; one
could fudge ‘Industrial Psychology’, but one had to actually know something for
finance to be even partially understood.

As expected, when we arrived in Southampton, I was notified that I was leaving
Canberra and that I was entitled to a couple of months’ leave. I departed the vessel
with some regret as it had provided me with some great experiences of all sorts, and
for such a large agglomeration of people, it was actually a ‘happy’ ship.

My first task was to speak properly to Susan, and my second, I decided, was to
sit the IPMA exam as soon as possible. The first I could effect immediately.

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