Oral history of the Malta Dockyard: Nikol Balzan

Interviewee Nikol Balzan (Maltese, born 1957)

Interviewed by Joe Meli (Maltese, born 1953)

Date1 March 2022

Classification(s)

Interviews

Object TypeOral history

LanguageMaltese

Extent1 digital audio recording (WAV)

Registration NumberMMM.AV0105

DescriptionThis recorded interview was made as part of the Malta Dockyard Oral History project by the Digitisation Unit, Heritage Malta, under the direction of Joe Meli.

Nicholas entered the yard in 1975 as a steelworker apprentice which at that time was 3½ years duration. On completion of his apprenticeship, he was allocated with the shipwright afloat section. After some years he was promoted to chargeman up to 1989 when he applied and took the position as an estimator until he retired in 2008 during the closing-down process.
Transcript / Summary

(This summary is a work in progress. Timings are approximate.)

(01:15) Nicholas Balzan was born on the 31st December 1957 in Qormi. Attended primary school and secondary school at the Seminary up to 1974. Took the Dockyard apprentice exam and was one of the hundred that entered the Yard on the 10th December 1975 as a steelworker at the age of 18. The apprenticeship was reduced to 3½ years from 4. Unfortunately, after finishing the apprenticeship, unlike the previous apprenticeships, they didn’t have the opportunity to undergo other courses such as for instructors, naval architects, engineers etc. The apprenticeship was meaningful for Nicholas, studying, and finishing the Shipbuilding Technology course and also broaden one’s horizon. The training was for 6 weeks period in various trades such as electrical, mechanical, bench fitting, Manoel Island Yacht Yard, Boiler shop for light plate, Plate shop for heavy plates. After 2 years the apprentices were guided to their chosen trade, which in Nicholas’s case was that of a shipwright.

(04:45) In 1978, he went to work afloat and started orientating himself in the trade. This period is considered very important, as the instructors guide you and teach you values treasured to this day. Value such as respect to authorities and commitment, as well as how to plan and prepare for the job to be done. At the Training Centre we had a motto “Plan your work and work your plan”

(06:45) Finally, late 1979, finishing the apprenticeship, Nicholas became a tradesman, now working with an experienced partner, so still learning from him. At this stage one had to be more aware to health and safety for himself and for other workers.

(07:45) In the 1980s, the Dockyard won two contracts from Cunard. Mr. Noel Galea asked Nicholas to be in charge of 16-20 workers close to their retirement age, and co-ordinate small jobs and finishes. At first, he was apprehensive, but moved on as there was respect from both sides.

(09:15) In 1984 Nicholas was promoted to a Shipwrights Chargeman, and he feels lucky that he had a gang of co-operative workers and easy to manage and lead.

(09:45) In 1989, Nicholas applied for the job of an estimator. It is a completely different situation. Nicholas had the advantage of working hands on in the trade, so this experience helped him in doing estimates.

(10:15) The first job, together with George Vella, an experienced estimator went to an animal carrying ship which had to do some major structural alteration in aluminium. Back to the office, they started to evaluate, make a summary and begin to work on the estimate. Unfortunately, the next day, George reported sick, and Mr. DeGray - a true gentleman, asked Nicholas if he thinks that he is up to do the estimate. Nicholas knew what had to be done, but was somehow worried putting hours on paper. Mr. DeGray assured him that once Nicholas will pass him the information, it will be his responsibility. Nicholas realized with such support and backing from his superior, this was a niche that he can contribute to.

(12:15) In the 18 years as an estimator, he worked with Mr. DeGray, Mr. Bonett and Mr. Armeni. All showed trust in him and his work. Mr. DeGray wanted Nicholas to move forward, in fact he was promoted as a Leading estimator. It was a difficult period because his experience was that of a steelworker, now he had to estimate and check other works such as mechanical and electrical. He didn’t feel comfortable and secure doing estimates, not knowing these trades well. After 3 months he felt that he was not in a comfortable position, so he asked Mr. DeGray to return him to the position of an estimator. Eventually he went back, and although it was not easy to be promoted and then go back to your previous position, all his colleagues helped him to be integrated back.

(14:45) Eventually in 2008, unfortunately, with all that trade knowledge, he had to pack up. He worked with the private sector and up to now with the public sector. During his experience post dockyard with other companies, he appreciated although the Drydocks didn’t have a good reputation, the people outside respected the ex-Dockyard workers for their responsibility on the job.

(15:45) He worked for 2 years with the private sector and was much appreciated, such as that he was told that the door was always opened for him to come back. At the education Department, he spent 9 months travelling to Gozo each day, realizing that with small sacrifices, at the end he will bear the fruit of his work.

(16:15) Looking back at the work in the Estimating department, Nikol says that the estimator always worked with deadlines. He recalls when he started, his leading estimator was Godwin Bonett, and once he had an estimate that had a long date deadline for its quotation and he commented to his supervisor that this work was not urgent, but the reply from his supervisor was that all work urgent, because other work that comes in as more urgent could require to be done in between with the consequential reduction of the time any other estimates.

(17:15) The compilation of an estimate was basically split in the three main different trades: Hull and services, mechanical and electrical. After completion of the estimate, the duration and level of quotation is decided and them passed to the Owners. If the estimate is accepted and the ship is confirmed as a definite stem, the workout is passed to the accounts department, who compare what has been quoted to the work that was actually carried, and adjusted any variations.

(19:30) Nikol recounts his experience as chargeman of shipyard, mentioning that he in charge of a gang that were not involved in the main work, however his opinion is that all work on the ship is important because the objective is the completion of the ship.

(21:00) There was a period when he was allocated to the Malta Shipbuilding working on the Chinese supply ships. He was also involved on the fabrication of caissons for the freeport construction.

(22:00) He remembers that during his apprenticeship, he spent some time at the drawing office, and his instructor was involved on the drawings of the No 6 dock gate.

(23:15) With reference to accidents, he remembers various accidents, and he thinks that these accidents left a mark on al the workers, and he does not consider being lucky or that God protected him, because then why didn’t He protect those who died?

(31:00) Looking back at his career at the dockyard, as well as the time he spent with other companies he feels that he would not return to work in a dockyard. Although safety precautions were taken and the workers were used to work in those conditions, the working environment remained very dangerous and the risks were high.

Collection

Malta Dockyard Oral History project

Dimensions33 minutes 05 secondsProvenanceRecorded by Digitisation Unit, Heritage Malta.

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