Average Trip lengths..

[Rowdy]

Hi All,

I had a quick look around the forum and only managed to find fragmented parts of what I would like to know, so can anybody give me an idea of the average trip lengths with Viking Recruitment?

I have heard rumours of the leave ratio and pay not comparing well to other sectors such as Deepsea, Offshore ect.

Thanks in advance

[alistairuk]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

Hi All,

I had a quick look around the forum and only managed to find fragmented parts of what I would like to know, so can anybody give me an idea of the average trip lengths with Viking Recruitment?

I have heard rumours of the leave ratio and pay not comparing well to other sectors such as Deepsea, Offshore ect.

Thanks in advance

For deck all the viking cadets in my group did:

Phase 2: ~6 months at sea and then 1 month off before starting college.
Phase 4: ~4 months at sea, approx 1 month off, ~4 months at sea, approx 1 month off.

In the end all of us had around 13 months sea time... Unfortunately as a cadet there simply is not enough time within the periods allocated for "sea time" to give you that much time off - those that did get lots of time off, ended up having to go back to sea at the end of their cadetships before they could sit there exams with the MCA. The college course is hardly a busy schedule, in phase 3 (which lasts 10 months) you'll be lucky if your in Warsash for more than 12 hours a week.

As for comparing to offshore - of course not, but then you get to spend your time floating around the north sea and as a cadet the pay is pretty much the same regardless of company - your not going to get rich as a cadet.

Viking will look after you, all your expenses will be paid and masses of uniforms supplied. The monthly salary more than covers your accommodation and you spend very little at sea which let's you save up so you have spare cash lying around when you return to college.

Once qualified you will usually earn more money working on cargo ships, if that's what interests you.

[Rowdy]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

Thanks for the info alistairuk!

Am I right in understanding that the trip times during your cadet training will not reflect actual trip lengths once you are qualified?

I was just wondering average trip lengths/leave should one work for said company?

Also I am hopefully starting as a Eng cadet so required sea time is probably less than Deck.

[Chiefy]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

Yeah cadet time is get as much as possible as soon as possible

Once qualified, most companys offer (aprox) 20-25 days off: Month on give or take a bitty, some better than others. Off shore is 1:1 for all ranks, where as deep sea is graded as a way to give you an incentive to climb the ladder etc.

[alistairuk]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

Thanks for the info alistairuk!

Am I right in understanding that the trip times during your cadet training will not reflect actual trip lengths once you are qualified?

I was just wondering average trip lengths/leave should one work for said company?

Also I am hopefully starting as a Eng cadet so required sea time is probably less than Deck.

This depends on what cruise line you work for, since you don't work for Viking they simply manage the scheme and hand you over to the cruise lines management when you complete your cadetship. Most cruise ship junior officers are either 4 on 1.5 off, or 4 on 2 off - these are approx however and if you wanted longer off/onboard you can always request it, but it would need to fit in the the rotations.

Another point: most cruise lines only pay you while you are onboard, so the longer you have off, the less you get paid

[Rowdy]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

Cheers for the info mateys!

I didn't realised the pay whilst your onboard thing, I foolishly assumed everyone was paid each month and every month regardless...I must have spent too long in the RN!

[Brimbo]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

for engineers the minimum is 6month sea time and 4 months of UMS/watchkeeping time, though do your best to get more than the minimum!

[Rowdy]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

I take it that's 6 months over the whole training period? I would be hoping to get a bit more than that mind!

[Chiefy]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

Cheers for the info mateys!

I didn't realised the pay whilst your onboard thing, I foolishly assumed everyone was paid each month and every month regardless...I must have spent too long in the RN!

It depends, not all comapnies are the same so be carefull that you compare eggs with eggs when looking for a job (after qualifying). My lot pay a salary same each and every month regardless of where you are, other companies pay nearly twice as much PER DAY but ofc it works out the same over / year

[Rowdy]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

It depends, not all comapnies are the same so be carefull that you compare eggs with eggs when looking for a job (after qualifying). My lot pay a salary same each and every month regardless of where you are, other companies pay nearly twice as much PER DAY but ofc it works out the same over / year

That's a good point, is there advice in place to help with looking for a job after qualifying? It's not just a case of, here we have trained/sponsored you...now on your way?

[alistairuk]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

As chief says, yer compare things evenly :-) also I would assume that companies that pay you even when you are ashore probably will not let you have longer off than allowed in writing - if they do most likely they will obviously not pay you :-)

And no, if the company you are with offers you a job, great... But otherwise your on your own to find a job somewhere :-) it's always good to make contacts within the industry who will help you out when you're looking for a job

[Rowdy]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

I shall have to get 'networking' then!

Actually...getting sponsored is probs more important first.

[Chiefy]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

When you finish your cadetship it'll depend on your sponsor. It isnt automatic, though for many it can be, it all depends on many many things, remeber you arent "ready" for 3-4 years they are taking on now basis of a projection and the world not ending, bankers going mental again etc.

As No 2 says, make some links as you go and you'll be ok in the end, you will be needed "somewhere"

and yes sponsorship is the FIRST step

[Steve]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

also I would assume that companies that pay you even when you are ashore probably will not let you have longer off than allowed in writing - if they do most likely they will obviously not pay you :-)

In RFA it's called "continuous pay" when you exceed earned voyage leave. It normally happens when there isn't an available billet on a ship to send you to at the time your leave is up, so it's their fault and not yours. Your salary is paid as normal but you are on 24hrs notice to join a ship unless agreed otherwise with your appointer. It's quite common. How common depends on branch, grade and adquals. ABs are typically running a month over their earned leave at the moment, but that'll change with forthcoming redundancies.

[Rowdy]

Re: Average Trip lengths..

I would love to think that I am needed somewhere haha!

Thanks for your help anyway