We first met during a fire alarm evacuation at a hotel close to Solt-Nielsens head office at Greenwchich Connecticut USA shortly after leaving Panocean-Anco in 1984. We found we were both joining a rather down at the heel 12 year old Product Tanker that Stolt were managing and trading for some of Jacob-Stolt Nielsens business friends. We joined at Kingston Jamaica and after a short handover departed with a full crew of Philippine Officers and Crew. It was my first experience sailing foreign flag, we had some exciting, scary and funny times. Marshall was more worldly wise than me regarding foreign flag, I would not have managed without his support, excellent engineering knowledge and good humour. He was a good shipmate, friend and a first class Chief Engineer, the old adage ‘they don’t make them like that anymore’ applies to him, I will miss our regular chats about old times and and our shared experiences on that first Stolt ship. As I used to say to him many times when safely arrived at the berth, ‘Finished With Engines Chief’
RIP Willie and thank you.
Captain Brian Hoare FNI
Brian Hoare
29/01/2024
