This year marks the birth centenary of Admiral Jal Cursetji (May 20, 1919-January 29, 1991, pictured) who was independent India’s ninth Chief of the Naval Staff. When I was a young lieutenant in the Indian Navy, my impression of Cursetji was that of a soft-spoken, articulate officer and gentleman.
In 1967-68 Cursetji held the rank of Captain and had just assumed command of the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. He visited our squadron INAS 300 at INS Hansa, Dabolim, Goa to meet the flyer boys of the squadron. I was nominated as liaison officer for the duration of his short stay in Goa. This was not because of the bawa connection, though he did casually ask whether I wore my sudreh and kusti regularly.
Within a few weeks of his visit the squadron embarked aboard the aircraft carrier for an operation work-up (training). Being a former supply officer who had been sent for flying as a midshipman, I had not appeared for my midshipman’s board examination, nor had I done any courses in Cochin. I had no watch-keeping certificate either, which authorizes naval officers to keep "watch” on the bridge of a man-of-war and is akin to the mate’s certificate in the merchant navy.
My colleague Shoni Mehra from 301 Squadron also did not have a watch-keeping certificate either. He, however, managed to convince the ship’s navigating officer to permit him to keep watches on the bridge when he was not flying so that he could qualify for his watch-keeping certificate. Capt Cursetji promptly gave his approval and I took advantage of this and made a similar request which was also approved.
I immediately started keeping watches on the bridge after the day’s flying was over. As a special concession, I was permitted to remain in my flying overalls during my watch, which was usually the dog watch (from 4 to 8 p.m., usually split into two watches of two hours each). While the aircraft carrier was in harbor, I also had to do the duty of the Officer of the Day (OOD). During the monsoon season the INS Vikrant would generally work-up in the western seaboard with Madras as the main port of call. After the first work-up phase off Madras, the carrier entered the harbor and tied up alongside. I was OOD that day.
In keeping with naval tradition, the captain hosted a cocktail party that evening for the local civilian and military dignitaries. At the appointed hour, the captain, along with the lieutenant commander on duty and the ODD was present at the gangway to receive the guests. While stepping on board, the Conservator of Ports told Cursetji, "Captain, your ship is 15 ft out of position.” Cursetji nonchalantly replied, "Oh, is that so?” and, turning to me ordered, "OOD, kindly do the needful please” before walking away with his guest. The lieutenant commander on duty quietly disappeared and I was left holding the baby, totally confused. Imagine moving an aircraft carrier tied up alongside a jetty by 15 ft!
Most of the executive officers were either attending the party or had gone ashore. I sent for the ship’s boatswain’s mate and explained the situation to him. Naturally, he was aghast! However, we had to be seen doing something, so I ordered the lower decks to be cleared and all hands to assemble on the forecastle, making sure that the announcement and a few other orders were audible over the ship’s broadcast system.
An hour or so later, while the party was in full swing on the quarter deck, I waited for an opportune moment. Cursetji was in animated conversation with the Conservator of Ports. I walked up to him, saluted smartly and announced loud enough for those around him to hear, "Ship in position, Sir.” For a moment he looked confused, but soon regained his composure and said, "Oh, well done, thank you, carry on please.” I quickly saluted again and left.
Needless to say, the ship had not moved and inch, nor were any questions asked!
Soon the work-up ended and the ship moved back to her home waters. It was time for the squadrons to disembark and return to their shore base at Dabolim. The captain decided to meet the squadron crew and bid them farewell in the wardroom prior to disembarkation. The navigating officer produced watch-keeping certificates for Mehra and myself. These had been signed by Capt Cursetji at the bar of the wardroom of INS Vikrant, a most unusual procedure!
And that is how I, a former supply officer, having done no courses, got my full watch-keeping certificate and was transferred to INS Ranjit for general service as a full-fledged executive officer.
Cmde MEDIOMA BHADA (Retd)
mrbhada@gmail.com