THE FREE MAGAZINE FOR MSSC SUPPORTERS
Spring 2020
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PILGRIMS’ PURPOSE We mark 400 years since passengers boarded the Mayflower for a life of freedom in the New World
SLOW PROGRESS
A prominent figure says action is needed to increase the number of women working in the maritime industry
LGBTQ+ MILESTONE
The Royal Navy has marked 20 years since the ban was lifted on LGBTQ+ people being allowed to serve
NATIONAL NEWS
Editor’s welcome Welcome to the spring issue of Seafarer News, bringing you updates from the Royal Navy and maritime world. In our feature, we mark the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s iconic voyage to America. Have a go at our nautical crossword, read about being an expectant father when you work at sea, and find our suggestions of books and exhibitions to explore. We hope you enjoy the issue. Let us know at seafarernews@ms-sc.org.
NEWS
Some of the latest stories from the Royal Navy, the world of shipping and the Sea Cadet Corps
WWI nemesis found after 105 years One of the Royal Navy’s greatest 20th-century adversaries – last seen 105 years ago – has been discovered by deep-sea robots on the seabed in the Falklands
News: pages 2–3 WWI wreck discovered after 105 years, divers clean up the ocean, and where are all the women seafarers?
The Scharnhorst was a WWI German cruiser
Corps in action: page 5 Updates from Sea Cadets units around the UK, from accolades to recovering from the winter’s floods. Mayflower: pages 6–7 We mark 400 years since the iconic ship took pilgrims to the New World, later the United States of America. At ease: page 8 Preparing for pirates, marking the anniversary of pioneers sailing to America, and a history of people and the sea.
Published by MSSC 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW Tel: 020 7654 7000 Fax: 020 7928 8914 ms-sc.org seafarernews@ms-sc.org Marine Society and Sea Cadets is a registered charity: England and Wales 313013 • Scotland SCO37808
Seafarer News is edited and designed by Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST Tel: 0117 927 9009 immediatecontent.co.uk Managing Editors Chris Egerton, Edward Meens, Sarah Fowler (MSSC) Editor Rachael Stiles Art Editor Elaine Knight-Roberts Account Manager Katy Hewett Director Julie Williams
Cover image: Getty
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After years of searching for it, sitting upright on the seabed about 100 miles southeast of Port Stanley was the cruiser Scharnhorst. Part of Admiral Graf von Spee’s squadron, the flagship was the scourge of the Royal Navy – until it was cornered in the Falklands in December 1914. All but one of the vessels in the squadron were sunk, with 2,200 crew. The wreck, about 5,280ft down, was discovered by marine archaeologist Mensun Bound. It’s the first success by the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust to locate the WWI warship and the rest of the squadron. An unsuccessful search five years ago aimed to locate all four German ships, to mark the centenary of their sinking in 2014.
Just three days into a renewed attempt in 2019, four deep-sea robot submarines and a high-tech side-scan sonar located the Scharnhorst during a scan of an area of seabed the size of Somerset. “The moment of discovery was extraordinary,” said Mr Bound. “We are often chasing shadows on the seabed, but when the Scharnhorst first appeared in the data flow, there was no doubt... You could even see the impact crater. We sent down a remotely-operated vehicle to explore and almost straight away we were into a debris field that said ‘battle’. Suddenly she just came out of the gloom with great guns poking in every direction.”
Royal Navy marks 20 years since LGBTQ+ people allowed to serve in armed forces Sailors and Royal Marines around the UK have marked the 20th anniversary of the lifting of the ban on LGBTQ+ people serving in the armed forces. Naval bases and Royal Marines units were flying rainbow flags from their main masts, sailors attended a House of Commons reception, and Portsmouth’s Naval Base headquarters lit up in rainbow colours to mark the anniversary. Those who took part wanted to send a clear message – that the Naval Service welcomes all talent to its ranks, regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity.
43 Commando Royal Marines mark 20 years since the ban was lifted ms-sc.org SEAFARER NEWS
NATIONAL NEWS
Shanghai named world’s business port for 10th year running
Spike in sale of low-sulphur fuel as new cap kicks in Sales of low-sulphur fuel have soared after prices in high-suphur fuel have slumped, according to World Maritime News. Singapore, the largest bunkering hub, reports that low-sulphur sales were up 51% in the final quarter of last year, as the industry attempts to reduce its emissions.
China’s Shanghai port has retained its position as the busiest container port in the world, having handled 43.3 million 20-foot equivalent units in 2019. Shanghai has held this position for the past 10 years and aims to lead the way in the future as part of China’s commitment to restoring the Silk Road. The port overtook Singapore back in 2010 as the world’s busiest, having handled 29.05 million TEUs at the time, according to World Maritime News.
Shanghai port in China
Divers help fight the plastic pollution infesting our oceans
Lieutenant Commander Nick Grimmer
Navy pilot helps to save lives in the Australian bushfires Lieutenant Commander Nick Grimmer was in near round-the-clock action for two months flying rescue missions, evacuating people otherwise trapped by the flames that engulfed parts of Australia, the Royal Navy has said. The 35-year-old, originally from Great Yarmouth, is on a three-year exchange in Australia, swapping submarine-hunting Merlin helicopters, at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, for troop-carrying MRH90 helicopters based at HMAS Albatross, 100 miles south of Sydney. The Royal Australian Navy’s 808 Squadron – specialists in disaster relief – were in action from November, providing assistance to those whose lives were being threatened by the bushfires.
Members of the Royal Navy’s Reserve Diving Group (RDG) recently helped in the fight against ocean pollution by picking up plastic from the seabed while they were training. During the week-long weapons training, around the Kyle of Lochalsh, the team of 16 divers practised endurance swimming in tidal conditions, operating in scuba equipment in depths of up to 30 metres – which meant they were often close to the seabed. Lieutenant Commander Richard Watson, who was coordinating the training, thought it would be a good idea to do a little bit to help the environment while they were there, and so asked his divers to pick up any plastics they spotted. “Over a period of time, as the plastic breaks down, it can be a hazard to smaller marine species. If we all do our little bit to clean up our environment, we may help improve the seas around the United Kingdom that are contaminated with The Royal Navy’s plastics,” said Lt Cdr Watson. Reserve Diving Group
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Action needed to empower women in the shipping industry More should be done to encourage women to enter the maritime industry, according to Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of the World Maritime University. Speaking at a conference on sustainable development, she highlighted a 2003 study she conducted that found just 1–2% of the seafaring population were women (including the shipping, port and ocean sectors) – and not much has changed. “That’s not good enough after so many years... I don’t think the industry is doing enough to empower women.” She challenged attendees at the conference to start making the change now, not tomorrow. 3
Images: Christoffer Lomfors, © Commonwealth of Australia, Getty, Crown copyright 2020
Multi-tasking Royal Navy divers have been doing their bit for the environment by picking up plastic from the seabed on a training exercise
MARINE SOCIETY UPDATE
MARINE SOCIETY NEWS Bringing you the latest stories from Marine Society, supporting seafarer development and education
Marine Society already supports seafarers who want to stay at sea and progress their career. While some support is provided to those considering a career ashore, the new Coming Ashore project will fund coaching, mentoring and work experience opportunities for seafarers who are looking for a profession on land. The issue of poor provision for seafarers once their career at sea was over was first identified in the UK as part of Project Ulysses. The project identified support for seafarers coming ashore
as a key recommendation. Marine Society’s involvement in this fits with its mission to support the life-long learning needs of seafarers, at sea or coming ashore. Through this new initiative, Marine Society’s goal is to not only address identified skills gaps for seafarers at sea but also to identify and address additional skills and experience needed, providing pathways for seafarers to come ashore, suitably equipped. Although at an early stage, we have a number of industry professionals signed up as mentors, some of whom are providing a series of podcasts explaining the range of roles available shoreside. Research indicates that the number of seafarers coming ashore will grow from 2,800 per year in 2019 to 7,300 by 2026. While individual seafarers will benefit, the maritime industry also benefits, with skilled seafarers better equipped to contribute to the sector ashore, and in roles beyond, as envisaged by both the Maritime Growth Study and the Maritime 2050 Strategy. It is hoped that Coming Ashore will be self-funding, as part of Marine Society’s offering to seafarers.
Marine Society welcomes marine author to its headquarters Marine Society staff members Carla Rockson and Caroline Buckland welcomed Brian Gates at the Marine Society offices in London recently, where the author presented copies of his new book, HMS Calcutta and Able Seaman Harold Reginald Gates. The book follows Brian’s grandfather’s amazing wartime naval career that spanned two world wars but began with joining Marine Society’s TS Warspite in 1916, at the age of 15. Brian has undertaken a lot of research into
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the history of Marine Society training ships around this period and unearthed a timetable that revealed the strict regime that recruits would undertake. Find the book at marinesocietyshop.org.
LEARN@SEA IS EXPANDING Marine Society is continuing to expand the range of courses through its educational app. Slavery@Sea and Stability@Sea have joined a growing range of maritime-themed courses on the Learn@Sea platform, which help seafarers gain new skills. Stability@Sea provides an introduction to the flotation and stability of vessels. It contains helpful imagery, clear explanation and exercises to aid understanding of this critical subject. It has been written for those working on a wide range of vessels and the bite-sized content is easily digestible. The course is suitable for those who are new to the maritime sector, such as cadets or apprentices, or seafarers refreshing their skills for career progression. Slavery@Sea highlights an issue that still exists in many forms, and is especially common in the maritime industry. Topics include identifying slavery, the types of modern slavery, its presence in the shipping industry and its warning signs. Users can work through this short course and learn at their own pace.
Marine Society’s new apprentice scheme Marine Society is delighted to learn that its application to join the register of apprenticeship training providers was successful. This DfE register allows approved providers to deliver apprenticeship training within England and Wales, funded by employer-levy funds. It marks a new phase in Marine Society’s portfolio of services and will bring about greater integration with Sea Cadets learning. It also aligns with plans to build careers promotion and pathways for sea cadets and young people. Marine Society now enters a planning and development phase to determine which apprenticeships in the marine and outdoor leisure markets could suit their expertise and meet the needs of employers. ms-sc.org SEAFARER NEWS
Images: Getty
New project to help seafarers bring their careers ashore
SEA CADETS NEWS
CORPS IN ACTION A round-up of what sea cadets have been getting up to across the UK
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2. A reunion at Fleetwood
3. Wisbech and the Royal Society of St George
Cadets from Ballymena will be able to take part in the Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award this year, after funding provided much-needed equipment including roll mats, sleeping bags and all-weather jackets. The unit is among the first recipient of funding from local company the Donnelly Group. Ruth Verner, Chair of Ballymena, said: “This award is a superb opportunity for young people but due to the cost of equipment it’s inaccessible for many. This funding means cadets won’t be held back.”
Former cadets and volunteers from Fleetwood Sea Cadets recently gathered from around the UK and Europe to attend a reception in honour of their leaders of many years. Chief among them was Lt Cdr (SCC) Derek Scrivener. At 92 years old and a crucial part of Fleetwood Sea Cadets for decades, he was joined by cadets who travelled to Lancashire from across the UK and also from Spain and Cyprus. The unit is also looking at other ways to recognise his contribution further.
Wisbech Sea Cadets celebrated their hard work over the past year with a presentation attended by the town’s mayor. During the evening, cadets became the first to be affiliated with the Royal Society of St George. Sub Lt (SCC) Jade Merson, Officer in Charge, said: “It makes me so proud to celebrate all their hard work. Not all cadets won awards but they all succeeded in many things over 2019. I look forward to many more years, teaching and passing on new skills to young people.”
4. Flood-hit unit gets back in action
5. Ground cut on new building for Gosport
6. Funding to teach engineering and catering
Volunteers and cadets at Sunbury & Walton are resuming work on their new building following recent floods. Their fit-for-purpose waterborne centre is intended to last for 70 years, but a flood in 2014 kept them out of the building for two years, forcing them to close temporarily, and fundraising proved a challenge. But after receiving planning permission in 2016, work began on the centre last September. Despite a flooding near-miss this winter, construction is finally under way!
Gosport Sea Cadets are making plans for their new building, after cutting turf on its site at Fort Blockhouse. After being moved from its building when it was sold for redevelopment, the unit’s set for a new lease of life following a £400,000 grant from the MOD. The new facility will include a large boat stowage building, a workshop and a purpose-built block with classroom, shower and changing facilities, giving cadets more opportunities to get out on the water.
Redditch and Bromsgrove Sea Cadets have received a £1,000 cash boost from Persimmon Homes South Midlands, as part of the firm’s Community Champion scheme. The money will help buy equipment to train cadets in catering and engineering. Lt James Sanders (SCC), who applied for the funding on behalf of the unit, said: “With more equipment we can increase what we teach young people and make sure they get the best training possible. We are extremely grateful.”
© Fleetwood Today
1. Funding boost for Ballymena Sea Cadets
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MAYFLOWER 400
NEW BEGINNINGS This year marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s historic voyage to the New World that would become the United States of America. Richard Johnstone-Bryden revisits the treacherous journey and difficult start they faced in the search for freedom
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our hundred years ago, a group of English religious dissidents left the sanctuary of the Netherlands, where they had been in exile for 12 years, to cross the Atlantic in the chartered sailing ship the Mayflower and establish a new settlement on the east coast of America. Their historic voyage forged an enduring link between the UK, the Netherlands and America, led to the signing of the Mayflower Compact, and is responsible for today’s annual Thanksgiving holiday in the United States of America.
Dreams of a new world The origins for the Mayflower’s voyage stretch back to the religious turbulence of the early 17th century, when a group of English Separatists, who subsequently became known as the Pilgrim Fathers, fled from villages in Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire across the North Sea to the Dutch town of Leyden in 1608. Unlike the Puritans, the Separatists did not think the Church of England could be reformed from within its ranks. They decided to set up their own secret non-conformist churches in defiance of the nation’s established church and its head, King James I, thereby risking imprisonment and persecution. For 12 years, the Separatists freely practised their religion in the Netherlands. However, they grew increasingly concerned that their children would be tempted to abandon their religious and English traditions in favour of the Dutch way of life. To prevent this, approximately half of the group decided to cross the Atlantic and establish their own settlement in the New
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World, joining colonies already established. London-based merchants agreed to fund their venture and the Virginia Company – chartered under James I to aid the establishment of settlements in America – granted permission for them to settle on the American east coast. They bought the sailing ship Speedwell, which brought the Separatists from Delfshaven to Southampton Water, where they rendezvoused with the chartered cargo ship the Mayflower. This second ship was loaded with more supplies and additional people, recruited in England by the merchants to help establish a viable settlement. The two ships left Southampton Water together on 15 August 1620, bound for Virginia.
A rough start Shortly afterwards, Speedwell started leaking and forced both ships to alter course to Dartmouth, where local shipwrights carried out extensive repairs before they resumed their passage. Speedwell triggered a further change of plan when it started taking on water again about 300 miles off Land’s End. The ships turned back to Plymouth where it was decided to dispose of Speedwell after transferring its cargo and some of the passengers across to the Mayflower. The Mayflower finally left Plymouth on 16 September, with 102 passengers and approximately 30 crew, under the command of Captain Christopher Jones. The month-long delay caused by Speedwell’s problems forced the Mayflower to sail head-on into a succession of winter storms. For the next 66 days, its passengers endured claustrophobic, cold,
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150 YEARS OF CUTTY SARK
Putting down roots The charter granted by the Virginia Company did not apply to the territory around Cape Cod. Therefore, the 41 adult male passengers signed the Mayflower Compact on 21 November. This legitimised their change of plan by agreeing to form a civil government to enact just and equal laws for the general good of the colony. It proved to be the first written
framework of government in English America. They spent the next five weeks exploring the coast before the passengers decided to establish their settlement on the site of what would become Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Mayflower remained at anchor for the winter to provide a secure base for the passengers until they could support themselves ashore. Sadly, only half of the passengers and crew survived the harsh conditions of that winter, before the Mayflower set sail for home on 5 April 1621. The remaining settlers went on to thrive in their new home and celebrated their first autumn harvest with a three-day festival of thanksgiving, attended by members of the neighbouring Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans, who had helped the settlers survive by teaching them to hunt, fish and grow crops. The United States of America still celebrates this historic occasion with an annual holiday. Unfortunately, this initial spirit of cooperation turned sour as the numbers of incoming European settlers continued to grow. A series of armed conflicts between the two communities and the impact of diseases such as smallpox took a heavy toll upon the Native Americans in this region, whose tribes would be virtually wiped out by ‘King Philip’s War’ of 1675–78. As for the Mayflower, its trail runs cold beyond 1624 and the ship’s ultimate fate remains unknown. To mark this year’s anniversary of the voyage, a series of events are due to take place across the UK, Holland and USA to celebrate various aspects of this shared heritage. Find out more about these celebrations and get updates at mayflower400uk.org.
‘The remaining settlers went on to thrive in their new home and celebrated their first harvest with a festival of thanksgiving’
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Mayflower II In the 1950s, English journalist Warwick Charlton embarked on an ambitious campaign to build a full-scale replica of the Mayflower, to be donated by the British people to the USA in appreciation of the Anglo America alliance during WWII. His plans coincided with a similar scheme by the American living history museum Plimoth Plantation to build its own replica. The museum (two miles from the site of the settlement) was established in 1947 to recreate its original buildings and daily life using historical re-enactors. The museum agreed to join forces with Charlton and provide access to its Mayflower plans, prepared by the naval architect William Baker. It also committed to provide a permanent berth, maintenance and operation following Mayflower II’s transatlantic crossing. To build the 106ft ship, craftsmen in Stuart Upham’s shipyard in Brixham, Devon, brought the plans to life using the same tools and materials as their 17th-century predecessors. On 20 April 1957, Captain Allan Villiers and a crew of 32 left Plymouth, England, in the replica. Conditions forced the Mayflower II to take a longer southern route than its namesake, across the Atlantic, to ride the trade winds and clock up 5,500 nautical miles before arriving in Plymouth, Massachusetts on 13 June, where it was greeted by 25,000 spectators.
Images: Getty
damp, dark, cramped conditions while battling long bouts of seasickness. The strength of the storms forced the crew to strike the sails and allow the ship to simply drift on several occasions, adding to everyone’s discomfort and no doubt the terror of those who had never been to sea before. Two people were lost during the transatlantic crossing, before the long-awaited cry ‘Land ho’ was finally heard as the ship approached Cape Cod on 19 November. Captain Jones calculated that they were too far north and set course towards the Hudson River, where the passengers had permission to build their settlement. However, a combination of poor weather and dangerous shoals forced Captain Jones to turn back towards Cape Cod to drop anchor near what is today Provincetown, Massachusetts.
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LEISURE
AT EASE
An expectant seafarer, a nautical crossword and our top tips for marine-themed entertainment
Life at sea
Crossword
Crossword supplied by Paul Facey-Hunter
Across 1 Hugh Town is the largest settlement on the Isles of ------ (6) 4 Flat parts of oars (6) 8 The largest flatfish (7) 10 Sailors, Settlers and Sinners, a 2019 book by ----- Taylor (5) 11 Tewkesbury Sea Cadets are also known as TS ----- (5) 12 Protestant pilgrim transported on the 13 across (7) 13 Ship that sailed to the New World in 1620 (9) 17 ------- Sail, theme song for Modern Love (7) 19 Empire -----, former name of the Eleth, shipwrecked off Ireland in 1951 (5) 21 An iron barque shipwrecked in Australia in 1904, or (cryptically) the wrecked Eleth? (5) 22 Chief port of Libya (7) 23 Fishing port in south-west Cornwall (6) 24 Young river salmon making their first journey to the sea (6)
Our man at sea shares his thoughts on impending fatherhood as a seafarer Name: Second Officer Spencer Wyles Ship: Mærsk Forza Location: About to return to work after parental leave
Down 1 What salmon might swim in? (6) 2 A small arm or bay of the sea (5) 3 A replica of the 13 across can be seen atop the London ------store (7) 5 Debussy's The Sea (2,3) 6 A fishing boat, or a genoa sail used in light breezes (7) 7 A salmon ------ after returning home (6) 9 Outstanding description of the
ladder to an upper deck? (3-6) 13 Sir ------- Pinsent, Olympic rower (7) 14 ------- Bradford, a leading 12 who emigrated on the 13 across (7) 15 Towards the rear of a ship (6) 16 Extreme Sailing ------, 2007–19, formerly the iShares Cup (6) 18 Southernmost of the Inner Hebrides (5) 20 Fish by trailing a baited line behind a boat (5)
One to read
One to visit
Salmon: A Fish, the Earth, and the History of a Common Fate Mark Kurlansky, 14 May 2020, £18.99 You might not think salmon is that important, but you’d be wrong. This book argues that the impact on the ocean of what we do on land is never clearer than when looking at this fish. Centuries of assaults on nature, from overfishing to climate change, is seen in their awe-inspiring life cycle. The history of the world can be seen through its fish-eye lens, laying bare our attempts to manipulate salmon for our own benefit. Now, the only way to save salmon is to save the planet, and the only way to save the planet may be to save the salmon.
Life on board Opening 28 March Merseyside Maritime Museum This new permanent gallery explores the moving and fascinating stories of Liverpool’s seafarers and passengers. Discover tales of the merchant sailors who drove Liverpool’s prosperity, and of the people who sailed aboard leisure liners and the ‘floating palaces’ of the early 20th century that resembled stately homes. Uncover the dangers, joys, cultures and community at the heart of seafaring from the 1700s to the present. liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime
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As of the beginning of November, I’ve been officially off work until March. This is for the wonderful reason of taking paternity leave. As a British seafarer sailing under a UK flag, I’m allowed to take one week paid parental leave and another week unpaid. But our due date was Christmas Day: notoriously difficult to work around. It also had the added disadvantage of being the date I was due to re-join the Mærsk Forza. Maersk were as accommodating as they could be, but no matter how we looked at it I could have missed the birth of my son, so I took three months unpaid, meaning I could definitely be home and also support my wife afterwards. It’s the most time I’ve spent with my wife in one go – daunting! Despite the financial hit and taking an extraordinary amount of time off, I consider myself very fortunate. The other Second Officer DPO on board the Maersk Forza missed the birth of his daughter due to no suitable replacement being available. He’s played a big role in encouraging me to take unpaid leave as he is riddled with guilt. Our boatswain or ‘Bosun’ had a little girl in November and will have to wait until March to meet her. I have such admiration for him; what a hard decision to make. I’ve heard many sad stories about how seafarers have struggled to take the time to support their families. If we have a second baby, hopefully they’ll be due during my leave! By the time you read this, I’ll be back at work. I’m looking forward to this new chapter and hope I’m coping well with fatherhood. I have many colleagues with children and they’ve been nothing but encouraging and supportive – and that truly makes a difference. Wish me luck!
AUTUMN 2019 ISSUE CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS Across: 1 Shanty, 4 Seabee, 8 Yardarm, 10 Galle, 11 Lewis, 12 Stewart, 13 Cutty Sark, 17 Iolaire, 19 Middy, 21 Towed, 22 Sir John, 23 Norway, 24 Fleets. Down: 1 Scylla, 2 Arrow, 3 Transit, 5 Eagle, 6 Bulwark, 7 Events, 9 Mushy peas, 13 Cold War, 14 Admiral, 15 Linton, 16 Cygnus, 18 India, 20 Drone.
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