The Watchkeepers of NCI Gosport come from many and various diferent backgrounds. Unsurprisingly, given the population of Gosport, some come from the armed services, and others have long maritime experience. Others bring skills honed in industrial or commercial arenas. But some have seen and done things that the rest of us can only dream about… as in this article sent in by a Watchkeeper who, for reasons of anonymity, we will call Captain ‘SJL’. Despite his grey hair and beard, he stands more watches that any other Watchkeeper and you may hear him on our VHF Channel 65 from time to time. In Command Of an Antarctic Supply Ship Submitted by Captain ‘SJL’, MBF RD RNR It was in November 1974 that I took over command of the RRS Bransfield, the British Antarctic Survey's (BAS) ice-strengthened logistics vessel supporting the 5 scientific research stations that BAS operated in the British Antarctic Territory. The RRS Bransfield, 4816 grt, 1577 nrt, l...
