The plumb job that left me all at sea . . .

AS an assistant purser aboard the BI passenger/cargo liner S.S. Kenya in 1960, I experienced a farcical situation that resulted from job demarcation enforced by the trades unions. Minutes after we had departed our berth in the albert dock and were heading for the lock that would allow us to enter the Thames, it was discovered there was a serious problem with the plumbing in the Captain’s quarters. The ship’s own engineers were not permitted to deal with the problem until a day later — after we had dropped our Channel pilot at Brixham, and left uK waters. We had to put in a request for a shore-based plumber to join the ship, carry out the work and leave at Brixham.

The plumber boarded and it fell to me to take him to the Captain’s quarters. entering the bathroom, he shook his head, tutted and pointed at the decorative wooden framework that hid the pipework. ‘Sorry mate!’ he said. ‘I can’t get to work until that panelling is removed and that’s a carpenter’s job, I can’t touch it.’ My offer to call the ship’s carpenter to undo the few screws holding the woodwork in place was met with a frosty glare. So, yes, we had to send for a shore-side carpenter, who joined the ship by launch as we passed Tilbury. he undid half a dozen screws and then spent the next few hours relaxing until the plumber had finished, when he duly took out his screwdriver and replaced the panelling! The pair were allocated a cabin, enjoyed a fine dinner and made the most of all the amenities the ship offered until they left with the pilot at Brixham the following day.

Robert Readman, Bournemouth, Dorset.