Topic: Shell Tankers

John Campbell recounts his entry into the Merchant Navy at age 17 as a means to travel and leave home. He describes a period of intense social anxiety where he fainted in the officers' dining room due to self-consciousness. This experience led him to use alcohol as "Dutch courage" to navigate the social hierarchies of the ship, eventually leading to a long-term struggle with drinking.

By age 26, John Campbell became one of the youngest captains in the merchant fleet, moving from Shell Tankers to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. He describes his leadership style as focused on the well-being and morale of his crew, often diverting his ship to visit uninhabited islands for recreation. He contrasts the freedom of his early career with the modern maritime industry's strict tracking and lack of spontaneity.