Twenty Years Before the Antenna Mast

Here, I was introduced into the electronic complexities of the modern ship. As an Electronics Officer I would be responsible for a much wider range of equipment. With the greater reliance being placed on electronics in the marine world, my job would be an essential one. Not only was I instructed on modern radio and radar equipment but also on such things as radio telex (TOR systems), data logging, remote control systems, alarms, echo sounders, steering computers, gyro compasses and engine room automation. We also had a good grounding in Satellite navigation and various hyperbolic navigation systems (such as Omega and Decca). At the end of the 6 months course, I thought I had a relatively good knowledge of electronics at sea. As I was to find out, my education had only just started.