Dick and I exchanged a few emails a couple of years ago about our days on the Forum Niugini. He mentioned then he'd had a world trip, including NZ. And I remember him talking about the overland trip he and the family made from Oz to the UK in the 70s. I'm working in marine renewables now in the north of Scotland; bit of a change from the Tropics.

Cheers,
Linda

Hi Linda,
A fair bit of water has passed by the bridge since those days but must admit I have never had any ambition to return to PNG. Dick Sandemann-Gay, who you may remember, called in a few years ago while touring New Zealand but other than him you are the only person From the late lamented PNG Shipping Corporation I have heard from.
Hope all is well with you,
Regards,
Dave.

Hi Dave,

You're right about Curly Fisher having been the Master but he'd been relieved by an Indian guy (Vikram?) by the time I went home from SF. I was 2/0 aboard when this photo was taken in Funafuti - strange I should find it today when I've been planning a trip back to PNG after all these years! Kam and I were good friends, but lost touch while I was studying First Mates ticket in Plymouth in 1981.

Linda

Hi Stuart,
I assume 'Curly Fisher' was the master when you joined and that you relieved the young lady whose name escapes me but was friendly - very - with Kam, the second engineer. I have a few more photos of her which I will post in the near future. As you say, a very happy ship.
Regards,
Dave Edge.

I was 2nd Officer on 'Niugini Chief' in 1981, spending about 8 months aboard her getting in sea time for 1st Mate F.G. During my service, she was broadly on a pendulum service eastbound with coffee, cocoa and frozen fish from PNG, through the Pacific Island to the West Coast of the USA and then back with machinery, mining and logging equipment. A very happy ship with 9 nationalities amongst the crew. Signed off in San Francisco with 8 months pay, spent it in 6 weeks and had to get another ship - but passed my Mates certificate!

Stuart