Home port Prague

Drawing on a vast number of archival sources, many of which have never been published before, this book offers a comprehensive look at the establishment and development of maritime shipping in the former Czechoslovakia and the operations of the independent company, Czechoslovak Ocean Shipping, between 1948 and 1989. The topic is examined from multiple perspectives; alongside an analysis of economic results, the author explores cooperation with the People's Republic of China, the events of 1968 aboard the ocean-going vessels, the period of so-called 'normalisation' within the maritime shipping environment, and the activities of the State Security in this sector. The ship's hierarchy is not overlooked, and space is also given to the everyday realities of the extraordinary lives of sailors, including topics such as travel, emigration, smuggling, and the difficulty of balancing work and family life in this profession. The engagingly written text is complemented by period photographs.