A NAVAL VISITOR

How it was before all the Health & Safety regulations

By Derek Longly

On 21st May 1960, HMS Watchful, a small naval craft acting as a Fishery protection vessel, called in at Newhaven on a courtesy visit and these two pictures capture the scene on board.

Does anyone recognise any of the visitors in the first photograph?


Note that those visiting the ship would have clambered down a steel rung ladder to reach the deck, and there are also people standing on the edge of the quay without any railings to prevent them falling off!  It seems highly unlikely that in today's climate this would be allowed, especially in view of the general concern regarding security and safety.