The Stokers Workshop

I wanted to see if I could find someone who could explain to me how a PER/PDR for senior LS/MS engineers will be amended to reflect the "new" position on board as a Brow Watchkeeper. I understand that this not going over well and I am curious as to how much merit his/her PER/PDR will have with equal comments from a MS Bosun. Is it possible that my positives "could " be overshowded by his/ her inability to blow a pipe or shine shoes?? Should his/her PDR be amended and now the divisional interview has to include who ever the Brow Supervisor is that week!! Just curious!!!

Hello Below To All

I would just like to pass some information to all who may be having or have had any medical problems that they think may have been linked to or caused by conditions we had to work in in Boiler rooms and Engine rooms of the recent past. If you had nothing documented in your Medical Files regarding exposure to harmful atmospheres, ie; asbestos, fuel fumes, boiler compound etc., chances are slim that you could prove it today. I've just been turned down my third and final appeal through DVA of compensation after being diagnosed with COPD (Emphysema), an incurable lung disease. It seems that smoking is the major cause of this disease but even though a Specialist says the atmosphere in the spaces I described to him could definitely aggravate the condition, DVA claims "no environmental assessments relating to the Appellant's workplace indicating that his work environment during his service caused or led to any aggravation of the claimed condition." I fully intend to follow up with another Doctor's opinion and resubmit a claim, possibly with a different diagnosis, as I have been in contact with an old comrade who suggested I ask the Doctor why he is convinced that COPD is the actual diagnosis. Looking back on my initial meeting with my Doctor, I have to wonder the same thing as there really wasn't much testing other blowing into a cylinder. Anyway, just thought I'd pass this on to anyone experiencing similar circumstances.

Al (Boots) Boudreau

Hell, every time I think of the engineer's workshop I remember the time in the Restigouche in 1967 when Clint Adams and I dropped the thunderflash in the gash can. Everyone quickly left the shop and we closed the door. We where all lined up in the Burma Road waiting for the blast when Danny Clarke came down the flat, looking at us all, then walked into the shop and closed the door. Red had a real knack for going directly to the centre of a problem and making it worse. The Restigouche has a new berth now, and if you go aboard you can still find the hole in the bulkhead where Clint tried to cut a new doorway into the cafeteria. I'm only sending this because I have nothing meaningful to add to the discussion. I never did.

Some things never change eh what, this is not the first time that ERA's complained about civilian qualifications, I was one the very first to apply for and receive accreditation to CET in 1983. Many, though it was a waste of time, but I never did . In 1964 I returned to civy street and went to the Department of Labor in Toronto and the examiner offered my a four class and the opportunity to write a third in one year, so the civilian world has been willing to accept our experience for many years. Many older cilvilians were indeed Stokers, ERA's and EO's during W.W.II so they new talent when they saw it ! I did not obtain my ticket in Toronto that day as I had been hired on the mechanical gang at Stelco Hilton Works in Hamilton when many others were turned aside, it seemed so simple at the time.

Today sailors are very fortunate that they have an on going acceptation program, it is not the right that a matelote should get out and go to top, there should always be some room for transition in a position that will allow growing room, both in the technical and educational fields. The sailors that are willing to accept a transitional period will do far better than those who think they have it all .

Perhaps the real reason why it never will be equal is : If a CERA can go from a ship to First Class Chief Engineer on civy street then a civy Chief Engineer can go as a CERA, what is good for goose...... that is their argument and the Navy has always said no !

What's New	Nuts and Bolts	Member Pages
Accreditation	Jobs	Tool Crib
Message Board	Finished With Main Engines	Photo Gallery
Stokers in Business	The Stokers Table	Night Order Book