Wha,...?
My Alden Challenger was 'finished' at the Poul Molich yard in Denmark in 1960-61. All the locker doors were fitted with finger hole pulls and spring latches that nicely secure them underway.
The exception are these two lockers built into the head of each pilot berth(outboard in photo).
Each has only a keyed lock. Not very handy which always made me curious as to their design.
Some years ago, Jeremy McGeary (on the old CSBB forum) thought he had an idea as to the origin of these locking lockers.
He's British and was engaged in the boat building industry in, likely, the 70's. He guessed the lockers were for "Bonded Ships Stores".
Bonded stores (I've found), on a vessel or aircraft, is a separate area or hold where goods that will require a duty or tax between countries, could be secured(customs sealed-inspected, documented), and presumably not to consume between countries as duty was not paid: Or held until offshore, etc.
I'm guessing this would have been used to secure spirits and tobacco especially during this pre-Eu era when duties were owed in various countries in Europe.
This still takes place (between various countries) but in the late 60's all duties between countries in the new EU were eliminated.
As the world waits for the Brexit, whatever form it will take, sailing across the English channel could soon put this complicated process back onboard boats.
Does anyone else have these locking holds or know about their function?
My Alden Challenger was 'finished' at the Poul Molich yard in Denmark in 1960-61. All the locker doors were fitted with finger hole pulls and spring latches that nicely secure them underway.
The exception are these two lockers built into the head of each pilot berth(outboard in photo).
Each has only a keyed lock. Not very handy which always made me curious as to their design.
Some years ago, Jeremy McGeary (on the old CSBB forum) thought he had an idea as to the origin of these locking lockers.
He's British and was engaged in the boat building industry in, likely, the 70's. He guessed the lockers were for "Bonded Ships Stores".
Bonded stores (I've found), on a vessel or aircraft, is a separate area or hold where goods that will require a duty or tax between countries, could be secured(customs sealed-inspected, documented), and presumably not to consume between countries as duty was not paid: Or held until offshore, etc.
I'm guessing this would have been used to secure spirits and tobacco especially during this pre-Eu era when duties were owed in various countries in Europe.
This still takes place (between various countries) but in the late 60's all duties between countries in the new EU were eliminated.
As the world waits for the Brexit, whatever form it will take, sailing across the English channel could soon put this complicated process back onboard boats.
Does anyone else have these locking holds or know about their function?