Great video, well narrated and researched, very enjoyable of an era passed into history. I remember, as a boy, seeing the BP ENTERPRISE on the Australian coast. The once proud and respected British merchant navy now gone, the same in Australia. I would like to see a similar video dedicated to Shell Tankers. I remember the TORREY CANYON grounding on Seven Stones, Australia had a similar accident with the OCEANIC GRANDEUR in Torres Strait. The documentary skirted around the dumping of British shipbuilding from the 1970's in favour of Japanese, and later, South Korean yards and the dispensing of British seamen on deck in favour of cheap Asian labour.
BP was a great British Company with proud seaman like all the once famous shipping companies, sadly all gone now along with the proud seaman that used to sail the 7 seas. Such a shame the demise of a once famous Merchant Navy😢😢😭
Spent 10 years at sea then 10 years working ashore, first in shipping ops then in trading, so seen both sides of the business. great career, working with great people and seen some interesting sights!
I joined BP from Gravesend and joined the British Loyalty as a GP boy.. lol.. I had a brilliant trip going to Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and other places.. Later ships were the SS Sivand, British Test and lastly the British Security... But I have to admit that I did not think much of Tankers!.. I ended up as a 3rd Engineer/ 2nd Engineer with various blue chip companies and have recently retired after 40 years at sea.. But thank you BP for my start in life..
Joined BP as an engineer cadet in 1960 Conditions very primitive. However an engineer joined my ship from Esso Tankers. He described life with Esso as Eat , Sleep , Shit and Overtime.
Many moons ago I looked at the British Pathe film about the British Sovereign. I wondered why the officers could wear Royal Navy style epilets and not merchant navy ones. Looking at this film I see the officers still have RN style epilets. Does anyone know how and why?
I was a deck cadet, 3rd & 2nd officer with BP from 1978 - 89. My understanding is that the deck & engineering officers were granted the honour of wearing RN epaulettes by the Government, as a thank you for their service during WW2. I'm sure more details can be found on the internet. I also understand that BP are not the only Merchant Navy company to be awarded this distinction.
@@terrymoore1830 There are many subjects where you think the interweb might help with information but alas it doesn't this sadly is one. I might try an email to BP. Many thanks for your response.
Great to see Nina again,who i was at Plymouth School of Maritime Studies with.
Great video, well narrated and researched, very enjoyable of an era passed into history. I remember, as a boy, seeing the BP ENTERPRISE on the Australian coast. The once proud and respected British merchant navy now gone, the same in Australia. I would like to see a similar video dedicated to Shell Tankers. I remember the TORREY CANYON grounding on Seven Stones, Australia had a similar accident with the OCEANIC GRANDEUR in Torres Strait. The documentary skirted around the dumping of British shipbuilding from the 1970's in favour of Japanese, and later, South Korean yards and the dispensing of British seamen on deck in favour of cheap Asian labour.
BP was a great British Company with proud seaman like all the once famous shipping companies, sadly all gone now along with the proud seaman that used to sail the 7 seas. Such a shame the demise of a once famous Merchant Navy😢😢😭
BP gave young men lots of responsibility as the Cadet was looking forward to. Second Officer of the Explorer at age 24 and I wasn’t unusual in 1976.
Spent 10 years at sea then 10 years working ashore, first in shipping ops then in trading, so seen both sides of the business. great career, working with great people and seen some interesting sights!
I joined BP from Gravesend and joined the British Loyalty as a GP boy.. lol..
I had a brilliant trip going to Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and other places..
Later ships were the SS Sivand, British Test and lastly the British Security... But I have to admit that I did not think much of Tankers!..
I ended up as a 3rd Engineer/ 2nd Engineer with various blue chip companies and have recently retired after 40 years at sea..
But thank you BP for my start in life..
Joined BP as an engineer cadet in 1960
Conditions very primitive. However an engineer joined my ship from Esso Tankers. He described life with Esso as Eat , Sleep , Shit and Overtime.
A Great Job ! I Was On The British Statesman in 1966 ( Aden milk Run )
Nice to see Nina again after about 50 years! She was 3/0 on the Aviator, happiest trip of my career with BP.
Incredible ,thousands like him 16 on convoys across the Atlantic u boats ,foul weather and all ,remarkable men even at 16👍
Cant have Old sea dogs looking at a at short skirt and stockings on the bridge ....CARRY ON BP....
British Robin, I spent months in Barry looking after the previous Robin and her laid up sister ships.
I have one of the old British Tanker Company Cap badges as worn on officers caps ⛴.
AMAZING BP..!!!
Many moons ago I looked at the British Pathe film about the British Sovereign. I wondered why the officers could wear Royal Navy style epilets and not merchant navy ones. Looking at this film I see the officers still have RN style epilets. Does anyone know how and why?
I was a deck cadet, 3rd & 2nd officer with BP from 1978 - 89. My understanding is that the deck & engineering officers were granted the honour of wearing RN epaulettes by the Government, as a thank you for their service during WW2. I'm sure more details can be found on the internet. I also understand that BP are not the only Merchant Navy company to be awarded this distinction.
@@terrymoore1830 There are many subjects where you think the interweb might help with information but alas it doesn't this sadly is one.
I might try an email to BP.
Many thanks for your response.
This subject came up a few years ago with quitte a discussion then. Funny to see the same question again.
Now totally ruined by Americans...