Led by John Simkins, many of the OCUNIT crew bought motorcycles and either stashed them in So’ton with girlfriends or aboard ship between inports. Left to right: Simkins’ niece Trisha with Doug Marty on his Triumph, Glenn Malnory on his Triumph, Warren “New Kid” Ekert on his Triumph, John and Ann Simkins on his, uh, Triumph.
Checking out potential mounts at the local bike dealer.
Testing his eyelids for light leaks after being overserved. “Uncle” Pat Alderson behind him.
During summer inports, we spent many afternoons and evenings at parks in and outside of So’ton. One of our favorite things to do was to drink far too much, level off, and sing old folk songs from the ‘60’s. Left to right: Marty “The Old Salt” Hart, Bob Lord, Kevin Bowen, Ann Simkins, Bill “Worm/Warlock” Kress (behind her), “Uncle” Pat Alderson (behind Kress), Christina Aldridge, Warren “New Kid” Eckert, Glenn Malnory, Dougie Marty, John Simkins’ niece Trish.
At our picnic near So’ton. The wine is Mateus Rose, that fine produce of Northern Portugal, and a favorite of TAGS crews when in Lisbon. What's it doing in Southampton?
Attempt a long-overdue marital act while the rest look on. Left to right: Kevin Bowen, John’s niece Trish, Dougie Marty, Warren “New Kid” Eckert, and Carroll “Frog” King.
Left to right: Christina Aldridge, Warren Eckert, Bill “Jinx” Jenkins, the back of “Uncle” Pat Alderson’s melon.
At the end-of-inport party in So’ton.
Left to right: Bob Lord, Ann Taylor, Dougie Marty, and Simkins’ niece Trish. Don’t ask. Just don’t ask. It’s
both a little suspicious and a little disappointing that the only naked thing in the photo is Dougie’s navel.
This is the second image I have of myself and Dougie Marty in a bed together. The other occurred during
another So’ton inport. We both apparently became so drucking funk and obnoxious, that we managed to
lock ourselves into separate bathroom stalls from the inside. In what was, I must now admit, a reasonable
and appropriate response, our shipmates dragged us out and stored us conveniently for the night in the
same hotel bed together. Waking up that next morning without a clue what happened was a rather
unnerving experience, but that was not the worst of it. Dougie’s eyes are burned into my soul to this day.
They looked like piss-holes in the snow.
MSC seaman, enjoying his last land experience before we sailed.
It was traditional to gather at the brow before the ship left port. The five in the middle of the pic, left to right: Bob Lord, Simkins’ visiting niece Trish, Carroll “Frog” King, and John and Ann Simkins attempting to consummate yet another marital act.
Dave Strause’s Scottish wife Linda, Ann Taylor, Bob Lord, Trish and Frog, Ann and John. Assorted So’ton natives look on.
One of the MSC crewmen hired a brass marching band to see us off from So’ton this inport. Both a hilarious and touching gesture. Ann Taylor, Carroll "Frog" King, Sonny Clark (NAVOCEANO), and LT Vic Hultstrand watching from the ship.