Seamen 1987
In 1987 Mik embarked on the 'Seamen' project. This was almost ten years after he'd left the Merchant Navy.
By chance, he met a couple of old friends from his seagoing years while crossing the River Tyne on the South Shields Ferry. He was shocked to hear that they had not worked at sea for over six months. The main reason for this, was that many UK shipping companies were sacking their British crews and employing seafarers from South East Asia working for less wages. Mik decided to initiate the work in an attempt to record the lifestyle and working environment of merchant seamen working for shipping companies who still employed British seafarers.
This project was in itself a ‘return journey’ for him as a former seafarer. Mik left school in 1970 with no academic qualifications and signed up for the Merchant Navy at the age of fifteen years old.
The 'Seamen' Project was initially financed by a major commission from Side Gallery, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Tommy's Seamen Discharge Book - Seafarers Retirement Home - South Shields 1989
Norman - Torpedoed twice during WWII he still bears the scars of his life at sea.
Seafarers Retirement Home - South Shields 1989
Henry - Seafarers Retirement Home - South Shields 1989
Billy - Seafarers Retirement Home - South Shields 1989
Sid - Deckhand SS Drupa/Rotterdam
Crew Messroom - SS Drupa Rotterdam
Pumpman - Crew Messroom SS Drupa
Oil Terminal - Rotterdam
Tie Up - SS Drupa / Rotterdam
SS Drupa - Arrival at Europort/Rotterdam
Tug Boat - Rotterdam, Netherlands 1987
Second Officer - The Bridge SS Drupa
Washdown - SS Drupa/North Sea
Dennis - Ships Cook SS Drupa
Finding a radio signal - SS Drupa / Brent Spar
Marylyn Munroe - Deckhands Cabin SS Drupa
Deckhand/Cabin SS Drupa
Loved Ones. Chief Stewards Cabin - SS Drupa
Bosun's Locker - SS Drupa
Operating the winch - Brent Spar
Deckhand - SS Drupa Brent Spar
Steam Winch - SS Drupa
Waiting for orders - Brent Spar
Tie Up - Brent Spar 1987
Hooking the line - Brent Spar
Waiting for tie up - Brent Spar
Lifeboat Drill - Brent Oilfield
Bosun - SS Drupa - Brent Oilfield
Somali Deckhand - SS Drupa
Brent Oil Field - North Sea 1987
First day at sea - SS Drupa/North Sea
South Shields Ferry Landing 1987
Dock Worker - South Shields
Old Shipmates - South Shields 1987