Another of my free copies of Farewell Chapelon was sent
to an old friend in Pakistan. Beneath my signature I commented that we
both know all about shipwrecks. The friend concerned is their retired
Chief of Naval Staff. He was a Rear Admiral when we worked together,
having just been assigned to the post of Operations Manager of
Karachi Port Trust, when the laden oil tanker Tasman Spirit grounded within the
port’s limits. She started breaking up and releasing her cargo of 70,000
tonnes of crude oil into the surrounding waters. When the Government of
Pakistan and port trust asked for help from the United Nations, a colleague
from the Norwegian Coastal Administration and I flew to Karachi at short notice
and formed a small technical mission to provide assistance and advice.
Warm and lasting friendships resulted from that experience.
Meanwhile, my friend in Pakistan is having to wait his turn to read the
book. His wife grabbed it first!
Post Views : 88