LEC Marine 2

The HM Customs vessel 'Vigilant' was built at Lowestoft in 1965 as Yard No 301. The picture left shows the Engine Control Room where all the metered machinery functions are visible to the engineer, including oil and water temperatures and pressures. A mass of intricate wiring and all at a high temperature.

The radio cabin on 'Ranger Apollo', see below, shows Marconi MF equipment. Left to right, there is a Morse key, two Atalanta Receivers, one with duplex filters, an Ocean Span transmitter with an output of over 200 watts, bottom right a 'Kestrel' 35 watt standby transmitter, above it a VHF radio-telephone for short range work.

Jim Aguss is shown above holding the two volume history of LEC Marine compiled by Dennis Edwards. It is remarkable record of achievement spanning forty-six years that will take its place in the Maritime Museum's archives. It is an object lesson for the future, in another fifty years it will be a wonderful record for others to discover how amazing things were done in troubled times from 1950 to 1996. Jim began his working life with the Lowestoft Electrical Co in 1944 and as a bound Apprentice he took home ten shillings (50p) a week less four pence for the National insurance stamp! He remained with the company for fifty-one years and is now a Vice Chairman of the Museum.

Two 150 ft (50 metres) Stern Trawlers 'Marlin' and Redfin, were built in 1967 for Amalgamated Fisheries, the picture below shows the Engine Room looking aft for Ship No 343. In the foreground there is an auxiliary generator for electrical supplies and a compressor feeding the air receiver on the left used for starting the main engine on the right of the photograph. There is also a hydraulic pump used for the hydraulic rams that move the rudder to steer the ship, every picture a thousand words.