Chief Officer AP Kothurkar, who served on the TS Dufferin in 1966, passed away peacefully in Pune on 09th October at the age of 95.
Fondly remembered by generations of seafarers, he was often described as the man who “turned boys into men,” having trained and mentored more than 600 cadets over two decades.
Joining the TS Dufferin in 1943 as a young boy from the small town of Ravelgaon, with little knowledge of English and none of the urban polish of Bombay, he quickly distinguished himself through discipline and perfectionism. By the time he retired in 1990, he was regarded as one of the most capable and respected officers in the field. He also served with distinction as Secretary General of MASSA.
Known affectionately as “Smartie,” he remained closely connected with his former trainees and younger officers, often sharing a drink, a meal, or a spirited professional discussion. He was never shy of critiquing the present standards of training and the state of Indian shipping, always comparing them to what he considered the industry’s golden years.
In his later years, he lived independently in Pune, supported by his son Manoj, a marine engineer, and his grandson Abhinandan, an Emirates pilot.
Chief Officer Smartie will be deeply missed by the maritime community. A remembrance gathering is being planned for 17 October.