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BRAVO ZULU

There is a very fine U.S. maritime blog named gCaptain which has had the courage to publish a long letter by an American Master Mariner CAPT. John Loftus.  This should be read by every seafarer and NAUTICAL LOG personally thanks him for his writing, the actions he took both while in command and after his dismissal.

Regular readers will know that NAUTICAL LOG sailed professionally for fifty (50) years and holds five (5) Masters Certificates and national mariners documents issued as required by the various flags of registry for passenger vessels (non U.S.).  From this background one understands Captain Loftus experiences all too well agreeing and supporting his letter in its entirety.

Having had to deal with them on non U.S. flagged vessels as a cruise ship Navigation Officer, Safety Officer and Staff Officer one can say that the work of the USCG is discriminatory and biased.  Sending a 19 year old Rating with a clipboard of questions to ask and discuss with a Master Mariner twice his age items of which this "child" has absolutely no personal knowledge and on occasions did not recognize the equipment being inspected. This has happened on several occasions over the years during the Quarterly Inspections. 

As to ABS the description of their behaviour by Captain Loftus is all too accurate though NAUTICAL LOG has had very little experience with them thankfully it appears from the details in the Loftus Letter, we have had some in a Norfolk, VA. shipyard.  As to NTSB they have removed to some degree the USCG being, in addition to issuing the Licenses, judge and jury in maritime cases but the NTSB are not very considerate of witnesses and personal privacy.

One could go on ad infinitum but it is enough to encourage all seafarers to read Captain John Loftus's letter and we thank him once again for his writing.

Good Watch


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