General Botha - Class of 1973 | Roll Call
2429 Adam J.C. | 2430 Birtles J.A. | 2431 Bradford S.C. | 2432 Clack G.H. | 2433 Clayton C.J. | 2434 Curran J.J. | 2435 Demont M.C. | 2436 DeVilliers W.G. | 2437 Du Preez A. | 2438 Durell G. | 2439 Greensmith R.J.T. | 2440 Hatch V.T. | 2441 Holmes B.M. | 2442 Hulley M.E. | 2443 Logan A.G. | 2444 McClure T.J.T. | 2445 McGhee D. | 2446 Melvin D.G. | 2447 Merriman I.P.D. | 2448 Moon P.A. | 2449 Moran K.A. | 2450 Nunes F.P. | 2451 Pelizzari P.D. | 2452 Potgieter P.A. | 2453 Proctor S.C. | 2454 Rapson G.T. | 2455 Rycroft C.F. | 2456 Santana F.A.P. | 2457 Smith J.R. | 2458 Talbot N.G. | 2459 Tissink J.C. | 2460 Theunissen S.P. | 2461 Van Zyl J.W. | 2462 Wheeler P.R. | 2463 Whitehead R. | 2464 Zwaan B.J.R.
2455 Rycroft C.F.
Briefly, if that's possible, since leaving Bothie in 73, I served 6 months
on the Krugerland with Fernando Santana then was accepted as uncert 3rd
mate with Maritime Carriers NZ on time charter to Union Steam Ship Co. My
initial interview was successful but the vacancy had been taken. I started
work as an assistant stormeman with Montana Wines the following day and
nearly became a winemaker! However I was back at sea as 3/O about 4 months
later, late 74.
I was with Maritime Carriers for 5 years on bulkship / gen cargo runs to
Aust and gained 2MFG. During this time I married and became a father. I
was promoted to 2/O then felt like a change and joined United Arab Shipping
Co to get more experience and spend some time with relatives in the UK (about
18 months). Then back to NZ with Maritime Carriers until the company was
bought out by USSCo. We were all made redundant. At this stage we had two
sons, and large mortgage and rather a lot of debt. NZ Shipping Corp took me
on as DPO on a DSV operating off the NZ coast which was quite different but
excellent pay! I spent time on DSV's, container trades for 6 years before
NZ Shipping folded, and we now have 3 sons. From here I moved around on
DSV's, supply boats, tug and barge, seismic survey, and small container ship
runs as chief officer until coming ashore in 1995 at Napier, NZ.
I worked for Port of Napier for 2 years as tugmaster, trainee pilot and also
some time as container planner. I became Napier Harbourmaster in 98 and
have recently taken on the role as part time HM for Gisborne, for my sins it
would appear, as the Jody F Millenium grounding / spill occurred shortly
after I started. I am also President of the Hawkes Bay Volunteer Coast
Guard which is an interesting past-time.
My youngest boy is still at home - the older boys have flown the nest and
are pursuing their careers in NZ (at present).