m.v. Ardlui. Built Chiba, Japan 1970. Approx 214,000 tons dwt.

Ardlui was one of four VLCC's (very large crude carriers) built by Mitsui for P & O. The other three were named Ardshiel, Ardtaraig and Ardvar. I served on them all over a period of ten years. Ardlui was entered into the Guiness Book of Records as "The World's Largest Tug" after taking in tow the tanker British Architect which exploded after being struck by lightning in the South China Sea during the Northeast Monsoon in 1970.

m.v. Strathbrora, Built Tamano,Japan 1967. Approx 14,000 tons gross.

Strathbrora was built for the Far East trade in general cargo. She had a service speed of 21 knots but achieved 25 knots on trial. Trade route was London, near Continent, Penang, Singapore, Hongkong, Japanese coast and home via Panama.

Communicationin those pre - satellite days was a bit more basic than the e - mail and satcoms of today, but even so, our ships were in the forefront of existing technology and design!