I sailed with ‘Rolly’ Sisterson (Pud to some of his friends) twice in LOF, on
both occasions he organised many ‘social’ events, sometimes who build a
make shift Swimming Pool out of dunnage and scrap for everyone to enjoy.
We were stuck in the Persian Gulf for over 2 months in the heat, but to be
fair ‘Rolly’ gave the Engineers as much time out of the engine room as
possible.
On the second occasion we were stuck off Nigeria/Lomé for 122 days, but
prior to leaving Japan ‘Rolly’ bought a fantastic ‘Smit Lloyd Model Tug’
with big twin electric motors.
He spend a couple of hundred hours on it. He informed me that he had
built one before – but on launch – it sank!…. This one was well tested before
being put in any form of deep water.
Roy G with Rolland Sisterson 2007
After LOF I sailed with ‘Rolly’ on Stevie Clarkes, I was Radio & Electro Officer and would on many occasions be on two ships the same day, as Stevies didn’t carry an Elect/Off, any help I could give I would – and worked on many projects with him. However there was a ‘strict rule’ Stevies normally only carried a Ch & 2nd Eng….He would not do a night onboard if the ship was within 80 miles of his home! – had a 70cc Honda moped, max speed 40mph on a good day. He would knock off after Smoko at 15:30 and down the gangway he went. He would re-appear the next day sometime around morning ‘Smoko’ – claiming his day started at 08:00 at his house and travelling time was company time….It really didn’t leave much of the day to do any real work! – still I wasn’t complaining….
Roy Gerstner
Did you sail with Rolly…Do you have a memory/story to tell…..why not share it with us..