Derek Ferguson - Moray Sea School, Burghead Scotland, 1958

As harbour quartermaster onboard Prince Louis, I had to take her out of Lybster at midnight on that February night with a Force 4 blowing. Wet my pants I did....At the time the most terrifying thing I ever did..time stood still and I can still see the harbour wall leaping out but with Cmdr MacKenzie we made swift safe passage out into the gale. Spent the rest of the night ill, but next morning in the Winter sun and calm but for a six foot swell we all recovered quite quickly. Arrived at the Sea School early February, as a boy teenager, left well grown up...Vernon Watch... Best thing I was made to do... Not my choice but my father insisted and I have never looked back since. What an experience...