Captain Ian William Collister

In addition to a few words from Malcolm, when some of Captain Collister's former sea staff and FMD colleagues were contacted they provided their recollections:

• Malcolm Coomer (Southampton terminal): "I first met Ian when he was Chief Officer and I was working in the Southampton OCL Terminal office back in the 70's.  My wife was born and brought up in the Isle of  Man so we had something in common.  Ian and Di liked cruising and we met them on many occasions when they sailed and arrived back in Southampton. We also  spent time with them when we visited the Island."

• Dave Kelsall (2OR and FMD): "I remember Capt Collister as one of the best - good-humoured, competent, fair and sober at a time when not all of our old men ticked all those boxes!"

• Bob James (2OL and FMD): "Unfortunately never sailed with Ian but do remember him when he visited the office for his pre voyage meeting, he would come and sit at my desk and talk about his family and leave then he would discuss his next crew. He never had a bad word to say for anyone appointed to his ship a true gentleman."

• Captain Ken Owen (master): "Ian Collister was a particularly good friend of mine.  We first met in 1951 when we were both at the Outward Bound Sea School at Aberdovey, prior to becoming Midshipmen in the Blue Funnel Line.  We sailed together on the ketch ‘Warspite’ at that time.  We both attended College at the same time in Liverpool when studying for our various Certificates, both achieving  Master’s in 1962.  Ian suffered from a very serious accident when he was Chief Officer and mooring a Blue Funnel ship in Birkenhead’.  He was on the focsle head when a mooring line snapped , wrapped  round his arm ,flung him in the air, and broke his hip as he was flung against a bollard.  He told me that the worst part was being carried ashore , as the ship’s fore deck was full of deck cargo.  It was feared at the time that he would lose the use of both arm and leg, but the Liverpool hospital performed wonders, and within months he was back at sea.  We both joined OCL at the same time and eventually the ‘Bengal Enterprise’ became our first command.  The last time we met was at a SCARA reunion Lunch in London.  I shall miss him, and always be grateful for having known him so well".

We would like to pass on our deepest sympathies to Ian's wife Diana, his family and his friends.  

19/09/2023

Updated 24/09/2023