Bristol fashion

Two may be company, but it’s by no means a crew. So far I had the vision and the executive officer. The next obvious step was to recruit someone with a bit of nous that might prove useful in making things work – an engineer no less.

On reflection, ships without engine rooms possibly don’t require engineers per se. At the time, however, the recruitment drive was more led by grog than common sense. Besides, I’m sure that engineers have a whole host of transferable skills, such as, er, being good with anchors?

The aforementioned brother in law stepped up to the breach. In addition to a glorious résumé of outstanding achievements and employee-of-the-month decorations, I recalled he also plied his trade from the busy port of Brizzle, so I was certain he’d seen a boat or two in his time. Plus he knew how to operate a compass, or so he claimed.

Due to the man’s voracious appetite for liquor, agreeing personal terms proved tough. A fierce negotiator, he demanded an inordinate share of the ship’s rum, even if it meant sacrificing other fringe benefits such as pension and medical insurance. He also demanded I find a role for his wench.


Chief engineering officer:
JB "Sleazy Lover" III
Likes: Depeche Mode
Dislikes: Antiques Roadshow