Mbo, I NEVER shipped as a cook, being a certificated Able Seaman, but I could have done a better job than some I sailed with. BTW on British ships why is the cook always called Doc regardless of his name? one I sailed with panicked when HM customs came on board again unexpectedly and tipped 2 bottles of smuggled rum into the only place of concealment to hand, a pot of Tomato soup, it was the must repulsively alcoholic starter for lunch ever.