Going the extra mile
Here at NAAFI we work in partnership with our customers wherever there is a need. Whilst our task is to be there when and where we are really needed, it is the commitment of NAAFI people that helps us deliver our service, often under extreme conditions.
Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in the case of Allan Marks, Canteen Manager on board HMS Endurance, whose determination to help those in need provided a welcome reminder of how our staff continue to go that extra mile.
On 16th December 2008, we learnt that HMS Endurance had been listing at 45 degrees and baling out off the coast of Chile after the ship lost engine power. As the engine room began to fill up with water, stranded passengers were taken off the patrol ship by a Chilean Navy Puma helicopter and transferred to the nearby Felix Navy lighthouse. During this ordeal, in which the NAAFI shop was submerged under water, Allan fulfilled his usual duties in the Medical HQ but also provided assistance across the ship with things like manpower control and emergency feeding. He also made his stock available during the first 12 hours when stopping to cook a proper meal was simply out of the question. This helped boost morale as well as maintaining the sustainability of some tired and emotional people. He also let those most affected by the flood have items like toothpaste, wet wipes and other basic toiletries, in order to make them feel a bit more human during what were distressing and difficult times.
After the incident, Allan then volunteered to be one of the first to travel from the ship in Punta Arenas to the Falklands, using his knowledge of how the Falklands operates to prepare for the ship’s return and the 20 or so personnel that would be arriving at the reception party. He then, once again, dropped in to the manpower co-ordination role looking after things like feeding and messing arrangements and flights to and from the UK.
Whilst busy doing all this, Allan continued in his capacity as Canteen Manager and made excellent inroads on sorting out his remaining stock and balancing his books (as best as he could under the circumstances) before he departed theatre on Friday 19th.
Lt Cdr RN, Logistics Officer on HMS Endurance, was full of praise for Allan’s efforts and wrote a personal letter of thanks:
“I wanted to write and let you know how invaluable Allan' support has been, both during the flooding incident, and since. I haven’t previously worked with many NAAFI Canteen Managers but I feel sure that Allan’s contributions were well above that which could be expected. The ship is deeply indebted to Allan for his whole-hearted support under some interesting circumstances.
While I am on the subject of praise, I would also like to extend my warm thanks to the NAAFI infrastructure in the Falkland Islands who have supported both Allan and the ship. They provided transport for Allan which greatly assisted the ship in the first couple of days while the rest of the infrastructure fell into place and they also provided Allan with accommodation for the time that he was here. Finally, the acceptance of all stock from the ship to help square away all of the Messes accounts was absolutely invaluable, as was getting the ship to the ‘light’ state she would need to be in for heavy lift transport back to the UK. I am most grateful for their pragmatic assistance in this matter.
In sum, I have been delighted with the support the ship has received from NAAFI at this time and in particular Allan for his specific efforts. Many thanks for your help as always.”
Allan joined NAAFI in 1995 and has been working on HMS Endurance since 2002. His efforts are a testament to his fantastic character and he is yet another example of NAAFI people going beyond the call of duty. To Allan and everyone involved in our Overseas Service, we are proud to have you on board.
