DAKA
Well-Known Member
What's your favourite prank or what have your mates done to you ?
(Nicks post on the 60/40% spit thread reminded me of this letter one of my friends sent me during one of the Gulf crisis.
On Her Majesty’s Service
Dear Sir,
I am hereby writing to you to inform you that under the powers invested in me through the war act 2002 section c.o.n.4-u the Minister responsible for the Armed Forces has requisitioned your vessel as part of an armada of small ships that will aid the Royal Navy in the Persian Gulf.
All vessels listed on the Small Ships Register and Part 1 Register will be required in due course to support the war effort. Currently vessels are requested to be made ready to sail from the 1st April 2003. A provisional cruising itinerary is attached for your information, it is confidential & should not be disclosed to others without permission from the Queen.
All able bodied skippers in possession of a current International Certificate of Competence will be required to deliver the vessel to the Gulf and provide active support to the war effort. Please indicate on the form attached your current level of competence with firearms & survival tactics, this will allow us to requisition the most appropriate equipment to you.
You are also required to complete details of the vessel as all vessels over 30feet will be fitted with an anti aircraft weapon, it would be helpful if you could obtain suitable bags for filling with sand to provide ballast to trim your vessel after fitting (you will not be required to supply sand as there is access to a large quantity).
You should ensure you carry sufficient local currency for fuel purchase on route but due to government rules the use of red diesel is forbidden, fuel will be provided while on service in the gulf (please note it may not be as refined as your vessel is used to).
At present there is no indication of the length of time that you may be on service but it may extend into the summer cruising season, you will be allowed to explore the area (what’s left of it) after your vessel has been relieved of service before returning to the UK for restoration to former state & colour.
Yours faithfully
Rear Admiral Sir Peter Billabong
Provisional Schedule for Small Ships on Extended Gulf Cruise Spring 2003
Day 1 Ramsgate Evening Skippers Briefing & last supper
Berths will be allocated on “first come” basis
in channel outside harbour
Day 2 Calais Vessels will cross Channel in groups
according to speed & experience
Day 3 La Rochelle
Day 4 San Sabastian
Day 5 Lisbon
Day 6 Gibralter Rest day, provisional visit to see monkeys
Day 8 Mallorca
Day 9 Malta
Day 10 Alexandria
Day 11 Suez Canal
Day 12 Anchorages in Red Sea tba depending on security situation
Possible Scuba diving trip to check sea bed.
Day 15 Dubai
Day 16 Deployment in Persian Gulf
Any vessel with a cruising range of less than 1000 nm should try to keep to the front of the fleet,RIBs will be on hand with spare jerry cans but your civilian VHF will not be able to contact them ,their orders are to cruise at a reduced speed (30 knots) to give you a chance to flag one down should you require assistance.
Skipper details
Name of Skipper
Age of Skipper
Ethnic origin
Deformities
Distinguishing marks
Criminal record (if relevant)
Tattoos
Motoring offences
Relevant Qualifications
Unarmed combat experience (list here anything you think is relevant including pub brawls etc)
Experience in firearm use (include all experience including fairground cork guns etc)
Swimming qualification
Vessel details
Name of vessel
Type of vessel
Length
Real length (no lies please)
Ballast
Cargo volume
Towing capability
Length of string carried
Gross tonnage (to nearest 10 ton)
Weapons currently fitted
Speed
Range
Fuel type
Engine type and number
Draft
Colour
Spares carried
Radar
Radar jammer
Sonar
Cloaking device
Lifejackets
Radio
Gps
Please list any relevant information in this space
Please list any irrelevant information in this space
Length of anchor chain (min1000m)
Life raft
Air conditioning (where portable appliances are to be used full details of fire retarding of exhaust hose to be provided)
Landing craft
Armour plating
Engine Db (can you be heard at night)
Virtual Training will be provided on route and the following DVDs will be required
The cruel sea
The Guns of Navarone
Laurence of Arabia
(Nicks post on the 60/40% spit thread reminded me of this letter one of my friends sent me during one of the Gulf crisis.
On Her Majesty’s Service
Dear Sir,
I am hereby writing to you to inform you that under the powers invested in me through the war act 2002 section c.o.n.4-u the Minister responsible for the Armed Forces has requisitioned your vessel as part of an armada of small ships that will aid the Royal Navy in the Persian Gulf.
All vessels listed on the Small Ships Register and Part 1 Register will be required in due course to support the war effort. Currently vessels are requested to be made ready to sail from the 1st April 2003. A provisional cruising itinerary is attached for your information, it is confidential & should not be disclosed to others without permission from the Queen.
All able bodied skippers in possession of a current International Certificate of Competence will be required to deliver the vessel to the Gulf and provide active support to the war effort. Please indicate on the form attached your current level of competence with firearms & survival tactics, this will allow us to requisition the most appropriate equipment to you.
You are also required to complete details of the vessel as all vessels over 30feet will be fitted with an anti aircraft weapon, it would be helpful if you could obtain suitable bags for filling with sand to provide ballast to trim your vessel after fitting (you will not be required to supply sand as there is access to a large quantity).
You should ensure you carry sufficient local currency for fuel purchase on route but due to government rules the use of red diesel is forbidden, fuel will be provided while on service in the gulf (please note it may not be as refined as your vessel is used to).
At present there is no indication of the length of time that you may be on service but it may extend into the summer cruising season, you will be allowed to explore the area (what’s left of it) after your vessel has been relieved of service before returning to the UK for restoration to former state & colour.
Yours faithfully
Rear Admiral Sir Peter Billabong
Provisional Schedule for Small Ships on Extended Gulf Cruise Spring 2003
Day 1 Ramsgate Evening Skippers Briefing & last supper
Berths will be allocated on “first come” basis
in channel outside harbour
Day 2 Calais Vessels will cross Channel in groups
according to speed & experience
Day 3 La Rochelle
Day 4 San Sabastian
Day 5 Lisbon
Day 6 Gibralter Rest day, provisional visit to see monkeys
Day 8 Mallorca
Day 9 Malta
Day 10 Alexandria
Day 11 Suez Canal
Day 12 Anchorages in Red Sea tba depending on security situation
Possible Scuba diving trip to check sea bed.
Day 15 Dubai
Day 16 Deployment in Persian Gulf
Any vessel with a cruising range of less than 1000 nm should try to keep to the front of the fleet,RIBs will be on hand with spare jerry cans but your civilian VHF will not be able to contact them ,their orders are to cruise at a reduced speed (30 knots) to give you a chance to flag one down should you require assistance.
Skipper details
Name of Skipper
Age of Skipper
Ethnic origin
Deformities
Distinguishing marks
Criminal record (if relevant)
Tattoos
Motoring offences
Relevant Qualifications
Unarmed combat experience (list here anything you think is relevant including pub brawls etc)
Experience in firearm use (include all experience including fairground cork guns etc)
Swimming qualification
Vessel details
Name of vessel
Type of vessel
Length
Real length (no lies please)
Ballast
Cargo volume
Towing capability
Length of string carried
Gross tonnage (to nearest 10 ton)
Weapons currently fitted
Speed
Range
Fuel type
Engine type and number
Draft
Colour
Spares carried
Radar
Radar jammer
Sonar
Cloaking device
Lifejackets
Radio
Gps
Please list any relevant information in this space
Please list any irrelevant information in this space
Length of anchor chain (min1000m)
Life raft
Air conditioning (where portable appliances are to be used full details of fire retarding of exhaust hose to be provided)
Landing craft
Armour plating
Engine Db (can you be heard at night)
Virtual Training will be provided on route and the following DVDs will be required
The cruel sea
The Guns of Navarone
Laurence of Arabia
