Merchant Navy

[iacabu]

So I've been successful in my application for the Deck Officer Training Scheme with a Jan/Feb 14 start at Fleetwood Nautical College. I was hoping to start this as a thread for all those who have been/still are in the MN, just to share experiences during training, on the job and coping with time away from family etc.

Over to you...

[roryfizz]

Hi there!

I started September intake down here at Warsash! Its been the a great decision for sure!

How old are you/how long since doing maths? As I last did maths at GCSEs and i'm 22 now and some practice before would have been a good idea. Mostly getting familiar with re-arranging formulas ect!

If you have any questions fire away and i'll try!

Rory

[anonymous-user]

I've pre-ordered Captain Phillips on Blu-Ray.
You can borrow that when I'm done if you like?

[tony954]

I was 16 when I joined as a deck boy and left 5 years later as an AB.Best years of my life but I think it's different now,smaller crew stricter laws on drinking although not such a bad thing really.

If you don't mind being away from home then you will be fine but you will have better means of communication with home then we did,crackling radio phone call, was all we had.

Go for it you will see the world and enjoy,if I could go back just for one trip then I would just to see how things have changed since my time at sea.

[DJFish]

I went to Fleetwood about 20 years ago.
The walk to the tram stop takes about 10 mins, there's an off-license there where I suggest you buy some fortified wine or similar (in our day it was Thunderbirds), neck that and leave the bottle on the roof of the tram stop as you can't take alcohol on the tram, that way you'll be half cut by the time you get to Blackpool and it'll save you a fortune in the long run.
Never wear your uniform to the pub, you'll get filled in.


To be serious for a second, one of my fellow trainees from back in the day is now a lecturer there, I'll try to come up with some useful advice later!
There's actually a pretty good Forum for decky learners, I'll try and find the link....

[DJFish]

http://www.officercadet.com/

[hidetheelephants]

I'd have said avoid boozing in Fleetwood completely as it's a stehole, but the alternative is Blackpool and that's worse!

[ArtVandelay]

I used to be an ETO in the merchant navy, though I'm also a qualified OOW in engineering and as such did an engineering cadetship

I didn't go to Fleetwood, I went to South Tyneside college. As a trainee deck ornament...sorry officer, you'll do plenty of long trips away from home during training, more so than an engineer would. Crossing the equator will lead to you having your head shaved and food thrown on you so you've got that to look forward to too.

Time away can be difficult, it's why I left my last job as I was doing 12-15 weeks away from home at a time, missed a few Christmases and birthdays in a row.

As a career it's a superb choice, money is good, you can get your tax back and you only work half the year usually. A lot of modern vessels have internet access (I'm on a new ship right now in Denmark) so keeping in touch with loved ones shouldn't be difficult.

I'm from the wrong side of the oil and water divide to offer advice on your training mind

[MercuryRises]

It's a grand life in the Merch.

Well, It's not bad, the money is good, the leave is good and if you're lucky you get to go to some interesting places (if you're unlucky like me, you get stuck in fking Aberdeen)

Unfortunately there's not a lot more I can tell you, I trained at Warsash as an Engineer, I don't know a lot about your side of things, other than that Deck Officers seem to spend an inordinate amount of time drinking coffee and looking out the window (Scratching their arses too), and always have a faint smell of masturbation and shame


Stick with it mate, it seems like a long slog at the start but it's worth it in the end. Even if you end up in Aberdeen.

[Gorilla Boy]

If you see a shaven headed, bearded bloke with a bibby shirt on say hello. Im in phase 3 of the FD engineering course (the proper one ) at Fleetwood

Deckside is the right choice, by all accounts the easier life in comparison to engineering

Ill be happy to impart advice for sea life from my limited experience (ive done 4 months on two ships so far)

Edited by Gorilla Boy on Thursday 21st November 23:01

[Gaspowered]

It's always going to be a personnel choice to either become an engineer or a window licker.... sorry deck officer. It's all about what interests you, not whether it's easy or not. There's certainly advantages and disadvantages to both. However, I'm biased as I'm an engineer. It's interesting to note that a few years ago, there was a phase where companies were training duel cadets, ie both deck and engine. Around 80% of those either part of the way through training or once qualified chose to be engineers.

[iacabu]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

roryfizz said:

Hi there!

I started September intake down here at Warsash! Its been the a great decision for sure!

How old are you/how long since doing maths? As I last did maths at GCSEs and i'm 22 now and some practice before would have been a good idea. Mostly getting familiar with re-arranging formulas ect!

If you have any questions fire away and i'll try!

Rory

I'll be near enough 25 once I've started, March birthday, so around 6 years since doing any maths. I will definitely shout up with any questions thanks.

Crossflow Kid said:

I've pre-ordered Captain Phillips on Blu-Ray.
You can borrow that when I'm done if you like?

This looks a good film, I think I'll have to buy it myself.

tony954 said:

I was 16 when I joined as a deck boy and left 5 years later as an AB.Best years of my life but I think it's different now,smaller crew stricter laws on drinking although not such a bad thing really.

If you don't mind being away from home then you will be fine but you will have better means of communication with home then we did,crackling radio phone call, was all we had.

Go for it you will see the world and enjoy,if I could go back just for one trip then I would just to see how things have changed since my time at sea.

I think I'll cope fine at sea, I'm not sure my girlfriend will do quite as easily. Hopefully I'll have access to Skype or similar to make the longer trips during training a little easier.

DJFish said:

I went to Fleetwood about 20 years ago.
The walk to the tram stop takes about 10 mins, there's an off-license there where I suggest you buy some fortified wine or similar (in our day it was Thunderbirds), neck that and leave the bottle on the roof of the tram stop as you can't take alcohol on the tram, that way you'll be half cut by the time you get to Blackpool and it'll save you a fortune in the long run.
Never wear your uniform to the pub, you'll get filled in.


To be serious for a second, one of my fellow trainees from back in the day is now a lecturer there, I'll try to come up with some useful advice later!
There's actually a pretty good Forum for decky learners, I'll try and find the link....

Thanks, I've been looking through as many threads as I can on that forum, although it's not as active as I'd like it to be.

hidetheelephants said:

I'd have said avoid boozing in Fleetwood completely as it's a stehole, but the alternative is Blackpool and that's worse!

I don't actually drink (or at least very rarely) so don't need to worry about that side of things, although I only live 4 miles from the college so know the places to go! Sounds like I'll be at an advantage during the college phases as they sound very strict.

ArtVandelay said:

I used to be an ETO in the merchant navy, though I'm also a qualified OOW in engineering and as such did an engineering cadetship

I didn't go to Fleetwood, I went to South Tyneside college. As a trainee deck ornament...sorry officer, you'll do plenty of long trips away from home during training, more so than an engineer would. Crossing the equator will lead to you having your head shaved and food thrown on you so you've got that to look forward to too.

Time away can be difficult, it's why I left my last job as I was doing 12-15 weeks away from home at a time, missed a few Christmases and birthdays in a row.

As a career it's a superb choice, money is good, you can get your tax back and you only work half the year usually. A lot of modern vessels have internet access (I'm on a new ship right now in Denmark) so keeping in touch with loved ones shouldn't be difficult.

I'm from the wrong side of the oil and water divide to offer advice on your training mind

From the sounds of it could be up to 4 months away on some trips, would have preferred shorter but needs must to get qualified and then can be choosey.

I've heard about this head shaving thing...what's it all about?

MercuryRises said:

It's a grand life in the Merch.

Well, It's not bad, the money is good, the leave is good and if you're lucky you get to go to some interesting places (if you're unlucky like me, you get stuck in fking Aberdeen)

Unfortunately there's not a lot more I can tell you, I trained at Warsash as an Engineer, I don't know a lot about your side of things, other than that Deck Officers seem to spend an inordinate amount of time drinking coffee and looking out the window (Scratching their arses too), and always have a faint smell of masturbation and shame


Stick with it mate, it seems like a long slog at the start but it's worth it in the end. Even if you end up in Aberdeen.

As much as I'd enjoy the trips around the world, being in the North Sea means being closer to home and hopefully shorter trips so not all bad.

And I'd rather be staring out into sea than into this fking computer screen at work!!

Gorilla Boy said:

If you see a shaven headed, bearded bloke with a bibby shirt on say hello. Im in phase 3 of the FD engineering course (the proper one ) at Fleetwood

Deckside is the right choice, by all accounts the easier life in comparison to engineering

Ill be happy to impart advice for sea life from my limited experience (ive done 4 months on two ships so far)

It would be nice to meet a PH'er at college for sure!

Gaspowered said:

It's always going to be a personnel choice to either become an engineer or a window licker.... sorry deck officer. It's all about what interests you, not whether it's easy or not. There's certainly advantages and disadvantages to both. However, I'm biased as I'm an engineer. It's interesting to note that a few years ago, there was a phase where companies were training duel cadets, ie both deck and engine. Around 80% of those either part of the way through training or once qualified chose to be engineers.

Part of me kind of thinks maybe I should have gone for Engineering (namely shorter sea time required to qualify but I couldn't justify the choice of a lifetime over an extra 6 months at sea, more job opportunities it seems and more money? Correct me if I'm wrong) but I know in my heart it's the deck side of things that interest me more.


I do have a couple of mates who qualified in the last couple of years but I don't see them much to ask about it all; I need to make an effort to before I start college I think. I know they both seem to be doing exceptionally well wage wise, which I don't want to give me false hope of amazing wages straight out of college, though I know they will be decent.

[ArtVandelay]

I was 17 for my first trip away, first time away from home and I went to Iraq

Head shaving is a tradition whereby it's perfectly acceptable to be an absolute bd to people.

See here (from 2008) where I've had my head and eyebrows shaved, and I'm getting the rotten slops washed off me with a firehose...

[Popeyed]

I would advise you forget the engineers on here slagging off the Deck Officer path; they forget to mention the bonkers hot temperatures and the noise in the engine room, and that your bolier suit will be soaked in sweat at the end of each watch. You've made a good choice, just stick it out until you have your Master's CoC (unlimited ideally) and have sailed as Captain for a few years, then you will find the world is you oyster.

Look at my profile for the cars I could afford when I was at sea; if you stick at it you will do well. Regardless, I now work ashore and earn a great deal more than I did as Captain, so it may seem a long road, but stick with it. It will be very hard work at times, I recall as Chief Officer working several 24 hour days (at the time STCW 95 had an exceptional circumstances clause) so be prepared for some hard times, but in many years it will pay off.

[hidetheelephants]

Popeyed said:

It will be very hard work at times, I recall as Chief Officer working several 24 hour days (at the time STCW 95 had an exceptional circumstances clause) so be prepared for some hard times, but in many years it will pay off.

It still exists and shipowners and charterers still take the piss.

[Gaspowered]

hidetheelephants said:

Popeyed said:

It will be very hard work at times, I recall as Chief Officer working several 24 hour days (at the time STCW 95 had an exceptional circumstances clause) so be prepared for some hard times, but in many years it will pay off.

It still exists and shipowners and charterers still take the piss.

Those that are exceeding the hours of work, are they logging their working hours?

[hidetheelephants]

The tedious inevitability of the Telegraph having a story, about some ship being fined for flogging the log and/or a story of a ship/ships in collision or allision due to the watchkeepers being asleep or so fatigued they have no spatial awareness, pretty much in every issue tells a tale and it's not a pretty one.

[Gaspowered]

Popeyed said:

I would advise you forget the engineers on here slagging off the Deck Officer path; they forget to mention the bonkers hot temperatures and the noise in the engine room, and that your bolier suit will be soaked in sweat at the end of each watch.

I've re-read the thread and I can't see anyone slagging off the deck department. Maybe some light ribbing but certainly not slagging off. As far as I can see, there is no wrong choice. The only bad decision you can make is to follow a path that doesn't interest you. Anyone who chooses a life at sea should be applauded, whether as a career or a stepping stone to other things.

As for the "bonkers hot temperatures and the noise in the engine room, and the boiler suit will be soaked" part you described. It's true. My last trip I spent on top of a diesel engine, while sat off Dubai in temperatures pushing 50, and do you know what, I loved it. Why? Because I enjoy being an engineer. But it's not everyones cup of tea, which is fine. Not everyone wants to be an engineer, not everyone wants to be a deck officer.

[Gorilla Boy]

Gaspowered said:

Popeyed said:

I would advise you forget the engineers on here slagging off the Deck Officer path; they forget to mention the bonkers hot temperatures and the noise in the engine room, and that your bolier suit will be soaked in sweat at the end of each watch.

I've re-read the thread and I can't see anyone slagging off the deck department. Maybe some light ribbing but certainly not slagging off. As far as I can see, there is no wrong choice. The only bad decision you can make is to follow a path that doesn't interest you. Anyone who chooses a life at sea should be applauded, whether as a career or a stepping stone to other things.

As for the "bonkers hot temperatures and the noise in the engine room, and the boiler suit will be soaked" part you described. It's true. My last trip I spent on top of a diesel engine, while sat off Dubai in temperatures pushing 50, and do you know what, I loved it. Why? Because I enjoy being an engineer. But it's not everyones cup of tea, which is fine. Not everyone wants to be an engineer, not everyone wants to be a deck officer.

To echo the above comments, my first trip at sea was 3 months spent in and around the red sea/persian gulf, between april and august, 50c everyday and soaked in sweat all day. Loved it, hence im continuing my training

[Gaspowered]

Gorilla Boy said:

Gaspowered said:

Popeyed said:

I would advise you forget the engineers on here slagging off the Deck Officer path; they forget to mention the bonkers hot temperatures and the noise in the engine room, and that your bolier suit will be soaked in sweat at the end of each watch.

I've re-read the thread and I can't see anyone slagging off the deck department. Maybe some light ribbing but certainly not slagging off. As far as I can see, there is no wrong choice. The only bad decision you can make is to follow a path that doesn't interest you. Anyone who chooses a life at sea should be applauded, whether as a career or a stepping stone to other things.

As for the "bonkers hot temperatures and the noise in the engine room, and the boiler suit will be soaked" part you described. It's true. My last trip I spent on top of a diesel engine, while sat off Dubai in temperatures pushing 50, and do you know what, I loved it. Why? Because I enjoy being an engineer. But it's not everyones cup of tea, which is fine. Not everyone wants to be an engineer, not everyone wants to be a deck officer.

To echo the above comments, my first trip at sea was 3 months spent in and around the red sea/persian gulf, between april and august, 50c everyday and soaked in sweat all day. Loved it, hence im continuing my training

I'm in the Gulf right now. A much nicer place to be in Winter.