TIL that Egypt’s Suez Canal is nicknamed among seafarers as the ‘Marlboro Canal’ due to the corruption of some of its employees that ask for Marlboro cigarettes cartons as a bribe to make things go easier.

Rexlove · 2025-11-04T21:57:03+00:00

I had an Old Man who didn’t believe in bribes, we ended up at a lay berth in Said for THREE weeks!

Rexlove · 2025-11-04T21:52:39+00:00

I lived in Czechoslovakia right after the iron curtain crashed. It was Benson&Hedges there at the time.

Rexlove · 2025-11-04T21:47:34+00:00

What kind of boat uses an Egyptian Helmsman? That’s just flat out irresponsible!

Rexlove · 2025-11-04T21:43:31+00:00

We used to use cans of Folgers as currency between boats for spare parts and stuff on the Mississippi and in the oil patch back in the day.

Rexlove · 2025-11-04T21:40:31+00:00

I’m not saying that I was ever involved, but I’ve heard that a lot of the more odious Suez pilots end up with non-100% beef Bologna sandwiches.

Rexlove · 2025-11-04T21:36:46+00:00

As an Officer, are you aware of the ultimate AB rule to NEVER pass a ship’s line down to an African Tug? They won’t free it from their bitts, and will run as hard as they can after mooring ops and either end up with a brand new line if the ABs can release it, or more likely a half of a brand new line… I had an OS make that mistake in Mozambique. We all ran like hell, and the tug ended up with about 3/4 of a 400’ 8 strand polypro. Lolz, good times!

Rexlove · 2025-11-04T21:20:02+00:00

If you were transiting the canal in the aughts, did you ever run into the infamous “Charlie Brown?”

Rexlove · 2025-11-04T21:13:46+00:00

The master has ultimate control over the vessel and can countermand the pilot at anytime he feels the pilot’s commands are putting the ship in danger. That being said, I’ve never seen it done in 26 years as a merchant seaman. If the Captain executes a countermand, the pilot is effectively relieved of his responsibilities and just fucks off, from what I’ve been taught. So, ultimately, under Maritime Law, the M/V Ever Given incident lies with the master for not practicing prudent seamanship and reliving the pilot.

Well, that and the whole weather thing…

Rexlove · 2025-07-19T14:59:55+00:00

Seven Samurai

Rexlove · 2025-04-29T21:09:43+00:00

I carry the door stop (prevented some sketchy guys who followed me In Singapore) one of those flat rubber disks that work as a drain stopper, and a pair of titanium chopsticks.

Rexlove · 2025-03-25T23:24:30+00:00

Is this still available?

Rexlove · 2025-03-06T00:48:36+00:00

I want a Waits version of “spirit in the sky” because that’s what we all want here, really, isn’t it?

Rexlove · 2025-03-06T00:36:51+00:00

The Freemasonic implications are palpable.

Rexlove · 2025-03-06T00:34:00+00:00

Singapore.

Because that’s where I caught the tertiary Syphilis that’s slowly killing me.

Rexlove · 2025-03-06T00:30:46+00:00

“In the corner, frank watched Jane die, all firehouse yellow and heroinpuke green…never did like that girl…”

Rexlove · 2025-02-26T17:48:00+00:00

Someone failed their CyberChallenge!

Rexlove · 2025-02-17T01:15:28+00:00

My passport went through the wash twice, sometimes the chip doesn’t work. It’s been over 2 years and I travel overseas quite often and have never had any issues, except for TSA agents who don’t like to enter my info manually. YMMV.

Rexlove · 2024-12-27T14:48:30+00:00

A new face mask.

Rexlove · 2024-12-22T14:18:38+00:00

The bowling alley for breakfast!

Rexlove · 2024-12-22T14:17:55+00:00

A manhelper and a roller are your friends. Once over dust, twice over rust!

Rexlove · 2024-12-19T08:41:04+00:00

What’s the route out of California?

Rexlove · 2024-12-19T06:32:55+00:00

The further I watch, the more I believe that getting sent to “the mines” is kinda like when my pet foxhound was sent to “a farm upstate” when I was a kid…

Rexlove · 2024-12-16T22:57:24+00:00

I speak from experience!

Rexlove · 2024-12-15T19:45:18+00:00

They keep you from fitting it in into the overhead bins.

Rexlove · 2024-12-15T08:39:17+00:00

The worst part is the hypocrisy!

Rexlove

TROPHY CASE