Roy JONES (Australia)

 I joined Marconi I.M.C. Co in the U.K. in 1953 doing my pre sea course at Hamble AST, after which I was put on the m.v. “Port Auckland”, c/s GWRB, as 2nd R/O to do my 6 months time under a senior R/O.

From there I served as R/O on various vessels ending up on the Heysham to Belfast ferry’s. I resigned in the early 60’s and worked in radio & TV until I emigrated to NZ in December 1962. Again I was employed as a radio/TV tech., eventually ending up working for the New Zealand Royal Navy as a radio tech.

I still had the urge to return to sea, especially after going on trail runs with the NZ Navy! This happened when I obtained a position as R/O on New Zealand Ships. Then in the 80’s I applied for the position of radio operator on a new build of a Semi Submersible Drilling Rig called the “Benreoch”, which was being built in Daewoo ship yard,South Korea. This rig was an off shoot of Ben Line , and the company was called ADCO.

 I was accepted and sent to the ship yard to oversee and install the radio room electronics. This started my oil rig employment around the world, staying on this rig until I was made redundant in Aberdeen, I returned to NZ & obtained work as R/O on a German cargo vessel called the m.v. “Helgis”, call sign DDMQ. This was under charter and had the NZ name “George H. Scales”. On our arrival in Hamburg I was informed I had to sit the German Marine Radio Exam ! This I duly did, and was issued a Seefahrtbuch Book, and a  Funkoffizier radio ticket. The charter came to an end and again I worked on Drill ships, semi submersibles, jack up rigs, and a Floating Production Facility.

My last sea going employment was with the American Diamond Off Shore company on the drill rig “Ocean Patriot”, c/s V7EL6. from which I retired and came ashore for retirement and to enjoy Amateur radio, now living in Geraldton Western Australia , having the call VK6RR. The RR represents my sea going nick name of “Radio Roy”.

I am mostly on the air using my favorite mode which is CW to keep Morse alive and well! Best wishes to all R/O’s.

Photos below – “Ocean Patriot’s” radio room.