From: "Jeffrey Williams" To: "Paul" Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 1:32 PM Subject: Re: MNC Staff page > Hi Paul, > > Many thanks indeed for your recent e-mail regarding updating the MNC site - > I see in fact you have done a lot of work with a lot of additions. Must take > a great deal of your time - from one ex-MNC member, many thanks ... > > Please find attached my resume/profile for inclusion - its in WORD format, I > guess that's okay. Also attached a brief note on the radio department prior > to MNC in 76. I don't know whether you know but originally the department > was at Norwood South London - well I thought a bit more history to preserve > if you like ... > > On my entry I am presently a tutor for Open University and freelance > writer - also, a tiny point, I prefer Jeff ! - Jeffrey always sound a bit > too posh !! > > Best Wishes > > Jeff (Williams) > jeffjubileebtinternet.com Attachments:- Greetings to all past MNC staff and students … I was delighted to come across the MN Website about two months back (August 2001) and I must say many thanks indeed to Paul Bird for his considerable efforts to set up and maintain the site … I taught first year marine radio at the College 79 - 80 - at that time I had just left P & O after several excellent years on cruise liners. I thought then that being a Radio Officer was a really great career and was very pleased indeed to be teaching the subject. I can only say now how sad that the profession of R/O came to an end. None-the-less reading ex student profiles its good to see how many interesting fields people ended up in … As for my three years teaching I can only hope I didn't put students off learning for the rest of their lives. But seeing from the lists that many finished the courses I couldn't have done too much damage. So far I have been pleased to get in touch with Shaun Murphey - living in beautiful South Island New Zealand - and also Bob Douglas who taught me himself back in 67 - 69 in Norwood. I also remember Mike Lawson (helped me a lot my first year teaching), Phil Smith (likewise), Tony Vaughn (Duty Officer) and family, and many students - Mark Durban and group (thanks for the pewter mug, still on my mantelpiece), and Chris and Nigel "You're getting podgy Mr Williams" - thanks for that guys - I have been working on it since !! In fact after leaving the College I joined a Dive Support Vessel - Witch Queen - and trained as a DP (Dynamic Positioning) Operator - basically running the computerised engine/thruster systems that keep a vessel on station during diving operations. Most interesting work - and this led on to the North Sea and semi-submersible drilling rigs. In a way obviously a harsh environment, but excellent conditions on board the rigs (including saunas) and the work very interesting and challenging indeed (all the latest technology). In fact I spent five years on msv Tharos in the Piper field - I left the year before the platform was lost in a horrific fire (1986). I have never found work as interesting ashore and ended up late eighties whilst a single parent (through divorce) taking a degree in Philosophy and English at Soton University. It was a great experience - I read a lot of brilliant books - and got very involved in writing and such themes as Philosophy of Mind! All very stimulating and exciting stuff - and, believe it or not, does connect with marine electronics - for instance Logic - (gets everywhere) ! As for the present time I continue my studies and I am a part-time tutor with OU. Otherwise much of my time is spent maintaining my urban cottage (Poole Dorset), gardening, and trying to understand the minds of my (three) daughters which still often baffle me - King Lear might have thought he had a hard time - I could swop a few stories … However, back to MN College days, I would be very glad to hear from any ex-radio first year students 77 through to 80 (particularly anyone who might have joined P & O). In fact, for radio students, you might be interested to know that the original department was in Norwood South London. Frank Mayho together with Mr Donaldson wrote one of the original text books - Marine Radio. Also the original department included Bob Douglas, Phil Smith, Erny Gibson, and Mr Zbreski. Finally I must say I am sorry that the profession of R/O came to an end. Most will know that GMDSS (late nineties) put an end to the job - in fact Portishead closed 31st December 1999. In its day I think being an R/O was a great job and, indeed, quite a unique job. A great way to travel the world - all but your own boss in your own office - and getting paid. So I am grateful to the lecturers who taught me (at Norwood), and I am glad to see many students from the seventies/eighties since the demise of the R/O (and MN) have found good and interesting alternative careers … Best wishes to all … Jeff Williams jeffjubileebtinternet.com Attachment:- The Radio Department before MNC 76: It might interest radio students to know that before the MNC opened marine radio was taught at Norwood College Knights Hill South London. The original department was founded (I believe) by Frank Mayoh and Mr Donaldson - this would be sometime in the fifties. When I arrived in 1967 to take the two year PMG (Post Master General) Certificate and BOT (Board of Trade) Radar Certificate, Frank Mayoh was head of the department. Also teaching on the course were Bob Douglas (theory), Phil Smith (regulations), Erny Gibson (radar), Mr Zbreski (radar), and Mr Walker (theory). I would be interested to know if anyone from Norwood during these years (67 - 69) connects with this site. In particular Alan Burbidge (R/O on QE2). Bob Hill (P & O). Steve Lovick (P & O), Colin Tate (P & O briefly), John Knott …. Jeff Williams jeffjubileebtinternet.com