HE GAVE HIS OFFICERS THE NECESSARY CONFIDENCE
I first met Capt. SFG, while visiting the Lanka Kalyani in 1975. Waiting for an appointment as a Ceylon Shipping Corporation Cadet and working as an assistant to an operations executive at head office, I was carrying arrival papers to the Kalyani. I did so, on the pillion of the executive’s motorcycle. Arriving at the pier, we made a beeline to the Master’s accommodation.
Storming out of his bedroom, the Master yelled, ‘this Chief Officer is hopeless, he is a drunk, I want him out’. This was Capt. SFG as a young Master. That very same voyage, he was asked by the head office to resign on disciplinary grounds which turned out to be politically motivated) subsequent to the Baila incident on the Kalyani.
It was not until I was a second mate did I get an opportunity to associate with Capt. SFG reasonably well. I signed on the Lanka Rani, which he served continuously for over 7 years. He knew his ship well and gave his officers the confidence they ought to gain. I still remember the night we
He loved being at sea which I am sure he knew was where his talent was best represented
were approaching Le Havre in France during the 12 - 4 morning watch. He had left night orders to call him in an emergency and we were 5 miles from the Pilot’s boarding grounds. I was on the bridge with the Quarter Master. Due to the density of traffic and not so clear visibility on this winter night he was on call and resting up in the Pilot’s Cabin. At the designated position I sent word to him and he promptly woke up and was in the chart room. He might have felt confident of my fixes on the chart and he went back to rest and let me continue on the Bridge. It was not until I called French Pilots, reduced speed and manoeuvered towards the Pilot boat that he was summoned again. As a 22-year-old second mate this experience had a lasting impression on me. I later realised his intentions of getting me to do the intricate manoeuvers all by myself and helped build up my confidence.
He often talked about his pet fish, in the tank he carried on board and his hobby working with Balsa wood on ship’s models. Besides his wife Santi, I know he loved his ‘Ford Capri’.
Once again, it was much later that I came into contact with and associated with him rather closely. That was when I was managing CINEC. I had asked the Nautical Institute (NI) to accredit our Safety Courses and they asked me to nominate a senior Master who was willing to observe and submit a detailed report to NI on the credibility of the programs. Capt. SFG was my first and single choice as I knew he was thorough and methodical in his work and would at the same time be independent and fair. Capt. SFG and I had many encounters later at the Maritime College and elsewhere. I had invited him to join the College staff an offer he declined several times in favour of his passion to be at sea. He loved being at sea which I am sure he knew was where his talent was best represented. I always admired him as a Master and news of his passing away came to me unexpectedly as I believe it would have been so for many others in the seafaring community. I extend my sincere and heartfelt condolences to Santi - his beloved wife. May he rest in peace.
Asitha Wijesekera