Four Stripes: Understanding the Hierarchy on Ships
by Rev. David Reid MA FNI Many mariners compare the role of the captain on board a ship to a supreme being – the ultimate authority. On a merchant ship, there is no rank or qualification of captain. Instead, this is
The Gangway: umbilical from ship to shore
By Chaplain David Reid MA AFNI Ship gangway design has not materially changed in the past 50 years. However, ships have changed substantially in terms of size, manning and function – the humble ship’s gangway or accommodation ladder, as it is
Beirut’s devastating port explosion echoes the 1917 Halifax Harbour blast
By Jack L. Rozdilsky, York University - The Conversation As the scope of the Aug. 4 explosion at the port of Beirut becomes clear, the tolls of the loss of life, injuries, homelessness and property damage are staggering. In the immediate chaos of
The Lighthouse: a friend of the mariner
(Image: East Quoddy Head Lighthouse, [Head Harbor Light since 1829.] Campobello Island, NB, Canada. Photo courtesy of Nicholas Nasobko). Lighthouses are the friend of the mariner, and they have a long history of service to seafarers. There are some 21,200 of