Number 6, can you park a little closer to the pump, please..

[Darren C]

That brings back memories good and bad.

Back in 1986 I was serving as an Engineer in the Royal Navy and we were off the coast of Florida onboard HMS Invincible, We were part of the routine West Indies Guardship patrol. It was during the Challenger Launch. (You know the rest of the story)

However we were involved with the US Coastguard, USN and NASA in the search. We were out at sea for over two weeks using the ships advanced sonar trying to locate the wreckage.

After this as a thank you we (the engineering department) had a special behind the scenes tour of the Kennedy complex including the vehicle assembly buildings (shown in your photograph)

The awe of the place was overshadowed by the tragic loss of the Challenger Crew, and I have to admit there wasn't a dry eye in the place as we walked down the main corridor of the complex absolutely burried in flowers.

It was an amazing visit for all the wrong reasons, and I shall never forget.

I'm not sure I knew you worked in the RN Darren. What kind of engineer were you? How long were you at sea for?

Hi Jez,

Only served for 18 years, man and boy! I was a Marine Engineer, Propulsion Section Head and Engineer Officer of the Watch, Class 1 (Type 42, Type 23, and CVS (thats aircraft carrier to you) qualified) Just think Scotty of Star Trek, and that's what I did.
Served all over the world, involved in several conflicts and got injured in Gulf 1 Desert Storm (got medals and everything)

But hey that was in another life, I've been a civilian now since 2001.

Regards
D

[InoX]

did you join just after the conflict in the South Atlantic ?

[Darren C]

Yes Dave,

One of my earliest memories was working onboard Fearless and Intrepid when they returned home, cutting out the bridge wings to replace the steel where the Argentine shells had pierced the structure like a cullander!

[jerzybondov]

Bet you've seen some interesting places and done some interesting things then Darren! What was the injury you suffered?

[Darren C]

Hi Jez,

It's not really the place to discuss it on here, so I'll tell you all about it the next time we meet up.

Regards
D

[jamesrguk]

Does it include the Ford (?) fuel tank scandal? Where it was cheaper to compensate victims' families than issue a safety recall on the car
Kinda prophetic given Toyota's recent trouble - although not in the same league.

Yep the famous 'memo' is in there but that's a fairly small scandall compainred to some of the other stuff which is just beyond belief.

I like to think that these days they wouldn't get away with this calculation below.

For those who don't know, basically the Ford pinto had a nasty habit of bursting into flames in the event of a rear end collision because the differential would peirce the fuel tank due to a) the lack of a proper rear bumper and b) no sheilding on the bolts that protruded from the differential housing.

The now famous 'Ford Pinto Memo' basically calculated the following

1. With expected unit sales of 11 million Pintos, and a total cost per unit to modify the fuel tank of $11, a recall would have cost Ford $121 million.
2. But, using mathematical formulations of a probable 2,100 accidents that might result in 180 burn deaths, 180 seriously burned victims, and 2,100 burned-out vehicles, the "unit cost" per accident, assuming an out-of-court settlement, came to a probable $200,000 per death, $67,000 per serious injury, and $700 per burned-out vehicle, leaving a grand total of $49.53 million.
3. Allowing the accidents to occur represented a net savings of nearly $70 million.
4. Therefore, a human life was mathematically proven to be worth less than an $11 part.

At least Toyota have admited the problem, apologied and tried to sort it out.

[bozzzydmc]

Oh dear ....

Btw ... message me your address for that part buddy

Mike