2nd Cadetship offer

Published on 21st February 2012 10:33 AM

5 Comments

I had an interview last Friday, with Clyde Marine Training; and after a week of waiting; the news came through at the weekend that I'd been offered a position. I was over in Krakow, Poland at the time; and getting the news from mother, while being out there was a joy. "****ing get in!!" I shouted; at the top of my voice in a dark, dingy, underground dungeon doubling as an internet cafe/phone box. I was probably getting some strange looks; the unfriendly looking lady on the desk cast over a perspicacious glance of disapproval; to be honest, I think that might have been her default setting. The attitudes of some of the people out there was utterly pathetic. On numerous occasions I was being looked at like I was a piece of ****. I mean, I can empathize that, they probably don't get the best treatment when they come over here, courtesy of all the plankton brained morons that read the red and white ****e tabloids- possibly the very same type of people that give British people a bad name; the booze culture yobos; on tour. Maybe I am showing a lack of insight in to other cultures here, but, how about a little historical gratitude; if history is correct (love how sceptical I am), then what's their ****ing problems? Has our loud obnoxious binge drinking dunderheads overwritten history? Members of my family served in both the great wars; and if I'm not wrong; if we hadn't have done so; the Polish people would have more thank likely been eradicated; by the Germans; if not the Russians! I'm not expecting, as a British person to go over there; and to be treated like royalty; all I am asking for is some basic manners. But then, thinking about my holidays in Spain, being amongst other Europeans; manners tend to just go out the window on the continent. Are British people really that disliked? Do I continue being courteous, polite, and friendly, next time I am away; or should I just be a manner-less meff?

Anyway; my Clyde Marine offer. I have that on the table now, to accompany my offer from Meridian. I was really really impressed with Meridian, and everything felt right, like they were the right company to train with; but I got the same sort of vibe from Clyde as well. I am now left with choices to make. Meridian, are supposedly the best paying outfit going; and there's a very good chance of post cadet ship employment; coupled with serious potential opportunities for promotion, the negative aspects are, not really negative as such, but they are just me being choosy - they want me to train at either Warsash or STSC; which isn't really a big deal; but it's more of an inconvenience for getting back for the odd weekend if I choose too- I have a 5 year old daughter, who would probably appreciate seeing her father once in a while- I don't live with her, as me and her mother separated, there's also my Dog, and Christine, who I'd miss terribly, so training at Fleetwood would mean I could ride my bike home. It's only 60 miles odd; and as I am a keen cyclist, and a member of a road cycling club; I could do that run with little trouble! Also, as Meridian mostly operates Ro-Pax services; I don't think Ro-Pax is what I'm signing up for this career for. I want to go deep sea. I know I'd get lots more experience on a Ro-Pax; with all the stopping and starting in coastal waters; but the more I think about it; I'd much rather work on deep sea vessels; and this is where Clyde Marine pip Meridian to the post. The list of companies they have is very impressive; and I think I get to choose three potential companies; and I have an idea of what companies on their rosta I'd like train with! Dole, Chevron, and maybe one of the cruise outfits; just in case my sterling background in customer service gets me a position!

I have an interview with Anglo Eastern, supposedly and BP have told me they are reviewing my application; but as things stand, I'm content with what I've been offered. I will decide over the coming days...

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5 Comments

noworries182 - 21st February 2012

Hey Dan, just been reading your blog there, you said you always wanted to work at sea and just out of intrest why are you doing it at 27? not that theres anything wrong with the age, iv sailed with cadets who were 31 and trained with a fella who was 51! i also see your from liverpool or should is say the wirral, im from anfield and trained LJMU doing the degree route, whilst iwas finishing of my degree after getting my COC i had an interview with meridian-massoel (as it was at the time) for a part time job during uni which i didnt take in the end, as far as i remember arn't meridians ro-pax's all deep sea??
anyway, just thought i'd say hi, your blog was a welcome break from counting down the last few hours of sitting here in Aberdeen waiting to sign off a ship, living the not so romantic life in the north sea at the minute! if you want to know anything or ask any questions send me a msg on here =] good luck with the cadetship offers.
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billwillis - 21st February 2012

Cheers for reading! I've been getting quite a bit of traffic from here!

Yes, meridian are mostly deep sea; I assumed it was just short crossings; like Birkenhead to Belfast kind of things, like I said in the blog; the company really impressed me, big time; but I don't think they'd be willing to let me study at Fleetwood; which would be my preference.

I basically was toying with the idea at 19, after finishing my HNC in music technology, I went on with that, and did Music technology at leeds; and realized half way through that; I was doing a mickey mouse degree; and dropped out! In hindsight; I'm glad I dropped out- all my course mates; well; the last I'd heard from them, were in a post-masters abyss of working entry level jobs! Thousands more in debt that me!

I then ended up working; and having a daughter. After the latter went pete tong; my weight spiralled; and I became well and truly overweight (27 stone) So, for like, the past 4 years; I've been losing weight; and I spent the last 2 years or so, going down the RFA route- two interviews; and no avail (purely because of no gcses) - so in september 11, I got myself enrolled at liverpool community college; and here I am now; on my way to getting the dreaded certificates; and beginning! Better late than never, eh?

The north sea! Urgh. No thanks!

Yeah, I'll drop you a line if I get any burning questions!
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Clanky - 22nd February 2012

Meridian are a decent company to train with and while there are no guarantees they do seem to try to keep cadets on afterwards as junior officers. While their core business is ro-ro's they do manage other ships and you should get a bit of variety from your sea time.
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ramfeild66 - 27th February 2012

Glad you got in with Clyde. I've been given a conditional offer which means I'm trapped in a weird state of limbo and on Wednesday I'm making the monolithic trek to Newcastle from Cornwall to interview with Maersk, (Makes me laugh reading all the kids who had to go all the way to Newcastle from Glasgow). Unfortunately, I have been trapped in that post-graduate abyss you speak of above, working a slew of fairly low level jobs, my misfortune is I completed my Mickey Mouse degree and am stuck for funding and I get the feeling that's why I've been stacked, packed and racked by Clyde until some definite decision is made on funding.

It's all very unnerving especially as I am prepairing to move in with my partner in Hampshire with very little personal funding behind me. Starting to get the feeling I may have left it a year late! Meridian basically turned me down on the strength of a Maths GCSE C. I have heard conflicting views on Clyde but their portfolio of sponsoring companies certianly caters to every need (specifically if you have no interest in PAX ships). However, bare in mind Clyde won't neccesarily give you what you want and you only find out at the last minute who is sponsoring you. I'd have probably taken the risk and chosen Clyde because I really have no interest in ferries, but with funding the way it is if a ferry company said they'd offer me a cadetship, I'd take it right away. You have a difficult but enviable decision to make buddy!
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billwillis - 27th February 2012

Cheers

I'm happy to go with Clyde to be honest; but at this moment, it is only conditional. They are willing to let me study at Fleetwood; where as Meridian said I'd be going to Warsash or STC. Fleetwood is ideal for me, for studying; because it's not far for me to whizz home for the weekend, and see my 5 year old daughter, occasionally.

When I'm away; I'm away- I can keep in touch with friends and family like everyone else does; and when I'm back; it'll be quality time!

Fingers crossed that the news from CMT is good.
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