People

After Normans passing John Crossman shared this story with respect to Norman and the locomotive engine that he built.

This is very sad news.  Norman was 3^rd Engineer of the CANTON which was my first ship in 1959.  We met again at the ORIANA naming in 1995, and several times after that at P&O events where cadets were present and Norman was there with shoe polish, and spare ties and shirts, to ensure a smart turnout of his cadets.  At these events Norman and I would talk about retirement projects, and eventually he agreed to put his skills learned at Swindon to work again to build a 7 1/4in gauge locomotive for me, which, naturally, I named POUND.  See it in action on my garden railway at  POUND.  This was in 2013, but POUND is still in service although currently laid up for the winter.  See also the attached pic of Norman with the part-built locomotive.  I last spoke to him about four months ago to report that his namesake was still in fine fettle; it is much admired locomotive.

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Phillip Messinger has written a book entitled, 

Something in the Blood

The book is available on Amazon at the following link,

"Something in the Blood"

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By:       Bee Allen - HR Director

After sailing the seas for over 46½ years, starting as a Deck Cadet on 9 October 1974, Captain Bill Kent has decided to retire his hat. To celebrate his lifetime career, the Ruby Princess crew and senior officers came together to acknowledge this milestone with an Open Deck Event and a special Retirement Ceremony / Dinner to celebrate this incredible achievement.

On the evening of 13th February 2021, gifts were presented, and a special video presentation was shown which contained messages from his wife and family members alongside ship memories and messages from colleagues around the fleet.

Ships Company were excited to work with Captain Bill Kent on his last tour of duty commanding the Ruby Princess during this challenging pause period.
HRD Bee Allen had a tête-à-tête with Bill about his career and life at sea and has shared some excerpts below.

How many years of service at Princess Cruises on 22nd February 2021?  I will have been with P&O Princess 46 years 4 months and 13 days to be exact

When did you join the company? I joined 9th October 1974, joining my first ship 12th October 1974 in Bombay

Where do you come from - born? Born and bred in Boston, Lincolnshire, UK

Where do you live now?  A very small village with 400 population called Martinsville in New South Wales, Australia for the last 7 years

Which was your first ship and position? My first ship was a P&O cargo ship called the Otaio, which was a cadet training ship, and I was a Deck cadet

What is your most memorable event/s from your life at sea? Being in Sydney for the Bi-centennial celebrations 26th January 1988, HM the Queen christening Oriana April 1995, my first day in command 11th September 2004, Regal Princess(original), meeting Maggie my wife when aboard Sun Princess

Which ports of call do you enjoy the most? Venice, Sydney, San Francisco, Vancouver, Skagway, Hong Kong, Singapore, Santorini, Istanbul, Auckland, Hobart, Katakolon, Naples, Livorno

Tell us some things about your family, wife kids etc. My Mother is 89 years young, living in Boston in a lovely little bungalow. I have two grown up children also living in Boston, Emma and Victoria, one being a science teacher and the younger a crop and seed analyst, married to Maggie for almost two years, two stepchildren Rebecca and Harry

What is your message for young seafarers? Message for young seafarers! Persevere, it is well worth the hard work and effort

What message would you tell your younger self after being at sea for this length of time? Perhaps to be a little more diplomatic and not wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve and think of the consequences before you speak even if you feel passionately about an issue

What’s the most valuable lesson you have learnt from your co-workers? To listen to everyone, everyone has an opinion but also good ideas, not just oneself. The key is to treat everyone as you would like to be treated, but above all teamwork and respect for each other

What are your plans for once you have retired? Work at a nautical college part-time one day a week, develop our campsite business, take an external degree in modern history and enjoy life with my wife!

What will you miss the most about princess? The travel, the camaraderie and the variety, everyday no matter where you are is different even in operational pause

On behalf of Princess Cruises, thank you Captain Kent for all your years of service. Your consistent leadership, compassion, support, liveliness, witty and assertive style will be greatly missed. We wish you all the best as you move to a new and exciting phase of life.  We look forward to seeing you again in the near future. Enjoy your retirement!

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