The dude was at sea for two months at a time.

FOR THIRTY FIVE YEARS.

Here's the money quote from the follow-up:

"I remember once my mother asking me what Emily — who was at Exeter University at the time — was up to. I said I hadn’t a clue. ‘What a way to run a family!’ she said.”

So basically, a man who has never taken part in any sort of parenting (" I’ve changed their nappies — OK only once each. But I don’t feel I’m a stiff upper lip sort") decides to lash out at his adult children because they're getting the attention from his wife that he wants. This is news how?