Chris van Zyl

[Jaco]

JT Smit . also submariner (son of WO1 JT Smit worked at the old sick
bay - retired , he is my brother in law) informed me. My farther was
WO1 Johnny van Zyl also at the sick bay - since passed away.
I see I am listed as no 311 , it is great to see all the old names , I
served under Capt Dommisse on the Maria , also served on Emily and
Johanna.
no 310 A Gildenhuys has also sadly passed away.
I have many moments which I can share , I remeber the time when we
were part of an excercise off cape point whilst dept charges were
being dropped , suddenly it felt as if one was dropped right on top of
us , it was suddenly realised that we hit a rock (were at 12m). Capt
dommisse shouted over the comms "wie is op die duikroer" I was
steering at the time , all eyes were big ! , I think it was a
navigational error , we raced back to Simonstown.
It was always a pleasure in the frwd mess, talking nonsense etc , ah
the food was always good ( P O Rozy was cheff at the time)
Currently I work at the SA Reserve Bank in Pretoria , was trandferred
from Cape Town in 1986 , I am looking forward to retirement (approx in
6 years time) will then move back to Cpt - at Veldrift ( have a plot
at Port Owen)
anyway - glad to be part of the organisation , when available would
love to join one of the functions
regards
chris van Zyl