Captain Toby Limes a.k.a. Bitters

My grandfather was a trawling man from Grimsby, Lincolnshire on the North East coast of England. They trawl what they can get, usually mackerel. His name was Jonathan Limes, a trawler skipper of length overall (loa) 36 meters and under 50 gross registered tons (grt), six years old ship. He and my grandmother, Heather O’Brian, together with their only son, immigrated to United States in 1924 after selling their red brick two storey terrace house at no.221 Tennyson Street, near Freshney River. He also sold his prize possession trawler ship, ‘ Lady Luck ’, and wired the proceeds to a San Francisco Bank.  They settled down in Contra Costa county, where the weather was kinder and brought up their son, Jonathan (junior) aged four, there.

My father, Jonathan Limes (jr), married Lucile Mitty, my mother, in 1943 and moved to northern California, where he found work in red abalone fishing, as a skipper. My parents, being god fearing people, christened me Toby, meaning god is good, when I was born in 1963. Father was just twenty years old and mother, just eighteen, believe they started early, with no knowledge of contraception.  


We settled down in #7928 Winggate Drive, Sunnyvale, Oakland, and graduated from Freemont High School also in Sunnyvale, Saratoga Road, in the year of 1979. The school was just bearable, and grew up with the music of Elvis Presley, Beatles and Dire Straits etc. etc. Being from a trawling family, and did not like the business, I joined the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis in the same year, as a plebe, just to be within the sea going tradition. The college was far from home, in the state of Maryland, but was proud to be in the nominated 1300 places available there, for the whole country. My four main reasons for applying to Annapolis was, number one, the tuition for the four years will be borned by the government, number two, a recognized Bachelor of Science (BSc) will be forth coming after four year, number three, lodging and meals are fully taken care of, and last but not least, number four, this will be my ticket out from drugs, guns and petty crime. Our minds then, were so perceptible to persuasion from the wrong crowd.

In that summer of 1979, I was an eager plebe, ready for the grueling four years. Since from my first term there, I was yet again, christened as ‘Bitters’, by my seniors and the lecturing staff, due to my mouth on behalf of the company on matters relating to reprimand punishment and liberty. They felt that my comments went further than just being sour, thus my nick- name ‘Bitters’ glued ever since. However, anchored in my mind once and for all, was to obey. Do it and be done with.

Some of my weekends, liberty was spent doing extra cleaning and exercises, true to college tradition. There were girls at Annapolis, some actually, quite nice looking. Yes, looking was as far as it went, as any irregularities can mean packing my bags and be expelled. That, not so nice and my pride can be down the drain.  Should I desire any comfort, the only way was to relieve myself with the ladies of the night. Safer there! I kept no regular girlfriend, as I wanted to be free as a bird and fly to all branches around the port of calls. I kept within the regulations, at all times and to be gray like our uniforms. In the summer of 1983, I graduated with my class. From the class of 1979, I came in fifth, counting backwards from the bottom. It did not deter me, as graduation was the main thing, Winston Churchill was not too bright in school, either. Father was 42 and mother was 40 and my younger sister Virginia, 19, looked so pretty. I hope she will get a good husband, who will shower her with love. All four of us celebrated, with a pint of bitter each, in an Irish pub, and a hearty meal at Dolly’s Diner afterwards.

Some of my classmates joined the Marine Corp as second Lieutenants, happy with a single silver bar on each collar. As for me, I opted to be commissioned as an Ensign and joined the Navy. My first ship was a Frigate of the FFG-7 class, with 29 splashed on the bow. I served over a year onboard as an Ensign, and was later transferred to Pearl Harbour Naval Dockyard with a promotio and also served onboard cyclone class-patrol ship, USS Hurricane PC-3. For a period of two years, I was attached to the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, USNS Supply (T-AOE-6), where I learnt the operations of a merchant ship, which I thoroughly enjoyed, more than the workings of a warship. After 15 years in the Navy, I resigned my commission as a Commander, also having a Master Mariner License in my hands, in 1998.

Just before leaving the navy, I bought a small house at #37142 Orrville Avenue, in Hidden Hills, California, with the money my parents sold their house at Oakland, and the funds I saved while serving, plus U$12,000/- borrowed from my girlfriend. I wanted my parents to retire gracefully in a nice residential area, with no worries and can put their feet up. After all, they are above seventy and with Joe-Johns, my year old Rottweiler dog, I felt pretty safe. At least, this much I owe them.

My girlfriend name is Sonia Silverman, is of Jewish faith by birth, however, a free thinker today. She’s a vegetarian when able to, otherwise is totally game, not to spoil any event. A happy go lucky girl, not too serious in any faith, except of her own endeavors. I was around 26 years of age when I met her in a Los Angles school, while doing a Navy recruitment program for a few days there. She was 21, a kindergarten teacher. Fair, with long brown hair (natural), slim, boobs were just enough, 5 feet 8 inches in height and blue eyes. Very pleasant personality, and sophisticated, which I cannot give it a miss. Since then, we have been going steady.

In 1992, I married Sonia. I was 29 and she was 24, and now, lives together with us in Hidden Hills and commuting to her Los Angles school, with her old Honda Civic. Mum and Dad drive my Jeep station wagon, when there is a need for an outing. She watches over them and they on her. All working out rather nicely, don’t you think?

That same year, in the autumn of 1998, I joined the American President Lines (APL), which is wholly owned by Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), Singapore, with over 150 vessels. My usual contract is 6 months on, 3 months off with half salary. I choose to sail on American flagged vessel where possible, on account of better pay and conditions.

Today, I am the master of APL Ningbo, 90488dwt container ship with a maximum of 8540 teus loadable. The route is Los Angles to the Far East and back. With a total compliment of 24, all are in their right, experts on their jobs. Even though, officially I am Captain Toby Limes, my nickname ‘Bitters’ still lingered on, afloat and ashore, and by friends and foe alike. The ship of this size is a big reasons-ability and my time of six months afloat is always fully utilized, rest time being sleeping period only.

Even though I am a Captain, I travel very lightly, this is my habit since my navy days. My luggage, consisted of a duffel bag and a backpack only. I carry no suits, nor fancy shoes, only what is necessary on-board. The contents are usually 2 sets of khaki pants and matching shirts, a set of Blues and white uniforms, 6 under pants, 6 pair of socks (3 khakis plus 3 blacks), 6 white cotton tee shirts, 2 white shirts, a white boiler suit, Black tie, shoulder rank pads, peak cap, khaki, white and black canvas belts and toiletries plus a blue Blazer and gray pants. All fitted neatly into my duffel bag. The photo stands of my parents and Sonia plus Joe-Johns goes into my backpack with other necessary papers and documents plus 2 sets of reading glasses, a laptop and some necessary medications. Warm clothing’s are supplied by the ship plus working shoes, thus lightens my load.

Like the housework, ship’s work is never done. There is always something outstanding, to be completed. I balance my time on-board, with bridge, on deck, entry and departure formalities, cargo (containers), paperwork, P and I and Class Survey matters. With only 24 souls on-board, cleaning of cabin, washing and ironing of clothes are be fended by myself. No easy task, I assure you. 

The common comment on-board, should something require to be clarified is ‘Ask Bitters, he will know’. For them, the Captain is a walking dictionary and a computer with prompt answers and remedies. I try to command the same ship after each tour, as I will be no more green, with her equipments and particulars. It’s more automatic and my brain need not worry on that.

While everything is important for every voyage, it is also imperative the safety of the containers in my charge and the vessel keep its schedule.  Our APL has a contract with Applied Weather Technology Inc (AWT), for them to regularly furnish safest and most economical route to our destinations. Our ship prime mover can supply 16 knots and a bit more, but we maintain 13 knots, unless called upon to meet the schedule. With advance schedule published, businesses are concluded and connections to feeders are made and slots reserved. It’s a question of money every time. Unless the customers are satisfied, our services can become redundant. The Engineers knows this, and the navigators must meet the schedules every time. We chart the safest and economical courses, and try to avoid the bad weather, with data from AWT. With about 3 knots under our belts, we give no reasons to our head office for not meeting the published schedule. The Chief Engineer tries his level best for nil breakdown every voyage. Ships on average are pretty new and the oldest about 9 years only. Maintenance is planned for, whilst the ship is in port. Berths are gantries are also arranged in advance and pre-planning for everything under the sun is made. Time is money and money is time, with a first class service, always! Almost nobody request for shore liberty while on 6 months on-board service. We never forget that customers have a choice.

Container lashing is checked every watch and we pay special attention to reefer boxes, recording temperatures also into our logbooks. Reefer boxes are one of the premium freight earners, and on-board electrician is just a hand away should attention be required. Water tightness of hatch covers are also important and regularly checked, more so, during bad weather. I make it a point to also crawl into the bulges, making sure no holes are spotted. The carpenter, do take soundings at least twice a day, however nothing beats scrutinizing their jobs. My personal daily rounds on our containers, in addition to checking every watch, does not harm anybody. All our senses are kept wide awake, and any smell,  leakage or out of the ordinary is reported to our office promptly, together with container number, row and height.

The distance to Los Angeles to Shanghai is about 1679 miles, which means about 20 days at sea, and this allows me to get the APL Ningbo ship shape. All water- tight doors and portholes needs maintenance. This time at sea, allows the Chief Officer and boswain to do necessary repairs, where needed. This is a class survey item, thus better to get it done, before the next survey is due. Work on deck is also not overlooked, necessary chipping and repainting is carried out. As much as possible, all repairs and maintenance are all performed by ship’s crew at sea, minimizing costs for shore contractors. On wet days, while the Chief Officer and his team are working inside the superstructure, I do my paperwork, checking all the trading certificates are in order, together with P and I and Class Inspection items. I try to keep a clean sheet and to avoid any recommendations.

Not forgetting the 3^rd Mate, I make sure, lifeboats and its necessary list of items in them are kept up to date, and renew any items that had expired.  The lifeboat engines are run and tested weekly with the Engineers also. They all, knows that ‘Bitters’ run a tight ship. I do side with the under privileged, and voice out concerns to the head office. The office feels that I do not have an overview and see the large picture, thus, ‘Bitters’ again, by them.

In addition to lifeboats, life rafts, lifebuoys, life jackets etc. etc., so much attention to be given to. Besides, bridge navigational aids, radars and CO2 systems and what not, I have my hand in every pie and ‘Bitters’ are the words they would cry out loud. On a calm day, I make sure the helm is on autopilot and the quartermaster together with the officer on watch are doing something useful, instead of just watching the open sea. I check the helm together with the automatic chart display is on course, every few minutes. As much as possible, nothing is left to chance. During approaches at night, my Captain’s cabin would be the pilot’s cabin, resting my tired eyes and catching a few winks where possible. I trust the officers, however I just want to be made available at all times. Something drastic and we all can go to jail for a long time, which is most undesired. 

Food is one thing, that is plentiful and good. I sample the officers and crew chow daily. Our Officers saloon is mainly buffet style, take what you want, as much as you want. However, as we also have to watch our health and our bodies, consumption is thought out with care. Need to be fit, climbing seven or eight flight of stairs, numerous times daily is the barometer.

‘Stan’ our Chief Engineer is also an ex- naval engineering officer. He is a wee bit older than me, and was an ex-submariner. Thus, he knows a lot about working in an enclosed space. We like each other, and can share a few jokes now and then. His engine room is always spick and spam, and all machinery and its auxiliaries are also in top form. Engineers keeps it this way to their Chief’s level of acceptance, otherwise, they can expect a ride together with the agent at the next port of call. All Engineer Officers cabins are also kept clean at all time, as they can expect a few words, not too kindly to their ears from the Chief. He would start with‘ cleanliness is next to godliness ‘ , the next part is too strong to be published. They are further advised to have their meals in the saloon fully attired, and not in boiler suits or in their singlet. My Deck Officers are always to be uniformed, in accordance with the standing order, akin with me.

Ships nowadays are equipped with internet, and all are on their laptops during their free time. I also talk with my parents and Sonia when available, otherwise I send them both an email daily, and can expect the same from them. My salary is about U$120,000/- yearly, out of which I credit U$3000/-  to my pop’s account, and also pay back U$2000/- monthly to Sonia’s account. On top of that, I give Sonia U$3000/- monthly as running expenses for our home. If any balance, I save it in my account for a rainy day. I think I have about U$2000/- left, to make good to Sonia. Her loan was a great help, otherwise the house in Hidden Hills would have to be bought with a high bank interest.

My bonus got nothing to do with any of them.