Master Mariner of Madras

The Madras chapter of the Company of Master Mariners of India celebrated its golden anniversary at the Taj Connemara on August 18, 2007 at a function where seven of its surviving founder members were honored. On the occasion Capt Dara Jamshed Bhote, former president of Sanmar Shipping Corporation, Madras received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the maritime industry and the fraternity of Master Mariners, as per a write-up e-mailed to Parsiana by his wife, Perviz. The award, comprising a shawl, a plaque of honor and a citation scroll, was presented by Capt Ron Dev Kohli, the Master of the Court of The Company of Master Mariners of India – Madras Chapter.

In a profile read out prior to the presentation it was recalled that in December 1963, a podgy 16-year-old cadet flew into the German port of Bremerhaven to board the MV Chennai Selvam, one of the first vessels to be acquired by South India Shipping Corporation (SISCO), the first Madras-based shipping company of modern times. When he took over command of the MV Chennai Sadhanai in 1976, Bhote became the first cadet-to-captain of the company. Jolly by nature, he belonged to the old school of sailors for whom sailing the high seas was a passion and an adventure. His love affair with the sea started as a schoolboy when he sailed on the INS Vikrant as a sea scout. Sailing buddies still recall with nostalgia all the happy times spent on Bhote’s ships. It is well known that he kept a happy ship, never scrounging on the food bills despite protests from the office, as per the write-up.

Capt Dara Bhote being felicitated by Capt Ron Dev Kohli

Bhote always motivated the officers and crew to function as a team. When his ship was caught in the cyclone that hit the coast off Kandla, he spent four days and nights on the bridge till the storm subsided and the ship could be anchored in port, following which he collapsed, his wife recounts. In April 1980, Bhote and the officers and crew of the MV Chennai Sadhanai were presented the Shipping Corporation of India’s Gallantry at Sea Award for rescuing the entire complement of 28 sailors of the Dubai-based ship Gulf Prosperity, before it sank in the stormy waters of the Bay of Bengal.

As senior Master of SISCO, Bhote was assigned sea-trials captain for all new acquisitions of the company from the Hyundai Shipyard, was soon invited to join the company as its assistant commercial manager and later became commercial manager. When SISCO merged with Essar, he was general manager and then vice president. Subsequently Bhote joined Sanmar Shipping Corporation and rose to be its president. He has always enthusiastically supported the activities of various maritime organizations, the write-up says.

When chartering of cargo for bulk carriers faced a slack period, he introduced the idea of forming a shipowners’ pool and enthusiastically supported this commercially viable concept which finally emerged as the ‘Bulk Handling Pool’ that operated from Norway. This helped to tide over a difficult period and to stem huge losses that would have accrued to shipowners.

A true sea dog, despite some hard blows in life (Bhote suffered a cerebral stroke five years back) his spirit is still buoyant. Overcoming his handicaps, Bhote still loves traveling and partying, reveals the write-up.