When at Fremantle stock office it was our responsibility to inspect all export livestock. The M.S. Centaur was at that time a cruise vessel to Singapore, apart from passengers the vessel also carried sheep and goats on its deck. We would inspect the animals as they loaded, rejecting those with disease or injuries. We would then issue a permit to export.

One day after loading had been completed the ship pulled away from the wharf with me still on board. Not a good situation. We notified the pilot who said you can get off with me in Gage Roads. This entailed climbing down the side of the ship on a rope ladder and jumping onto the pilot boat. Both vessels were travelling at about 10 knots at the time – it was an experience I would not like to repeat!