smudge,
your TRU fire sounds similar to the one we had when carrying the 500 Lox container to Belize. It does concentrate the mind.
Pic is of aa acting as the am (ancient mariner). Not as long as DM's trip but a week around Cowes etc on one of the RAF boats. Skippered by the same chap who had blown the whistle on the culprit as told in a previous post. He had only just got his full ticket but he was very good. Highlight was tacking up the river under sail (just the jib) to the pub at Buckler's Hard. He steered and I did the sail trimming. Of course all the powered craft had to give us right of way.
As we tied up we burst out laughing, job well done and went for our 'debrief' beer.