A few questions regarding training

[Lloyd]

I've been reading through the forum for these last few days and I've just got a few questions I'd like clearing up.

I'm hoping to be an Engine Cadet and I was wondering how big a difference is there between the engines of tankers, offshore vessels, RFA vessels and cruise ships etc etc.

The reason I ask is because I've read that training on tankers is best as transferring to them at a later date can be difficult due to the additional qualifications required. However does this apply to Engine Cadets as well as Deck Cadets?

If this is the case are cadets somewhat limited to the type of work they can get after their training depending on the type of vessels they have served on?

I'm most interested in working in the offshore sector so if, for example, I spent most of my training on a Ro-Ro would I be at a disadvantage if after training I hoped to get onto a PSV?

Also are there opportunities to work on FPSOs?

Thanks,

Lloyd

[noworries182]

Hi Lloyd,

They are some very good questions. I'm a deck officer so I can't tell you much about engine differences. I'm guessing there is quite a substantial difference between engines on larger ships than offshore vessels. Hopefully some engineer will come along shortly and advise you on that part.

However, were you train can affect your chances later on in your career. I done all my training on container vessels but then got offered a job on offshore vessels purely because of my performance during my cadetship, but that company had an offshore fleet so it was just a case of a vacancy at the right time. I don't think it would affect an engineer as much as a deck Officer, as you can imagine handling a supply vessel and a tanker are 2 very very very different things!

There are chances on FPSO's, I know a few engineers who have gone onto drilling rigs and also FPSO's as well one of my friends who went from 2nd mate on a Tanker to a control room operator on an FPSO. Engineering skills which you learn at sea are easily transferable. It is hard for people to move to Tankers because you need special endorsements/certificates and if you haven't got them by the time you finish your cadetship then you have to go on a course to get them, but once again i'm not sure how much of that applies to Engineers.

If you do want to work offshore, try and get sponsorship with an offshore company or a company with an offshore fleet, like Maersk or Swire Pacific, Sealion Shipping. I'm not sure if 'Craig Group' sponsor people. I believe SSTG have some offshore companies they can put you with but every cadet will be asking for these and to be honest everyone i know who went with SSTG had regreats but thats just a few cadets out of hundreds.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but as i said before i'm sure some engineer will come and save the day.

[Lloyd]

Many thanks for the reply noworries.

Yes it's as I would have though. That's really why I would prefer to carry out my cadet ship with an offshore company.

I've seen Graig Group on the SSTG website but their actually local to me so I may phone them and see if I can arrange a meeting. Also you mention Swire Pacific, I can't seem to find any mention of sponsorship from them.

That's interesting about the FPSOs. I predominantly work with risers in my current job so I have good knowledge regarding FPSOs. Do you (or anybody else) know of any sponsoring companies which offer the opportunity to work on FPSOs?

[Lewis]

sea time on an FPSOs doesn't count for cadets. At least for deck cadets maybe different for engineers.

[IFHP]

As above there is no way you will be put on an FPSO as a cadet. Companies like Chevron, Shell, BP operate ships as well as FPSO's however you have to transfer from one internal company to another i.e. Shipping to Exploration.

Marine Engineers that do work on FPSO's are mechanical technicians and deal with general maintenance. They take nothing to do with risers or production, this is handled by Subsea and Production. Deck officers deal with the Control Room side i.e. loading / discharging / COW.

Hope that helps.

[Lloyd]

Okay thanks for the replies guys. I am hoping to be accepted with an offshore based company although working with the likes of BP/Shell/Chevron would be such an amazing opportunity. With regards to the FPSOs I was mostly asking because I already have experience with them.

I've sent off a few inquiries and I'm writing a number of CVs and cover letters atm so hopefully by the end of the week I will have applied to a number of companies.

[thebrookster]

As has been said, by size4, getting a job can very much be dependent on whom you know. The companies like BP/Shell/Chevron/Some Offshore companies will often take cadets on afterwards, whereas the bulk shipping side do not seem to be as good on this front.

In terms of FPSO work, this is normally seperate, although I understand Chevron are bringing this all under the shipping banner at some point, or at least there was mutterings along that line, However, quite a few of the guys I sailed with have all done good portions of career on FPSO's, so it cannot be that difficult to swap between the two.

Now, in terms of engines. Tankers/Bulkers will normally have large two stroke diesels (i.e those engines that are the size of a fair sized house!!), though on the LNG side there are still Steam Turbined ships around, though this seems to be going out of fashion in some companies (contrary to what I just said, Stena are still building steam tankers!!). Cruise ships vary, the ones that have been converted from bulk/container ships often retain the original two-stroke engine (remember that Costa ship that caught fire just after the concordia accident?? She had a big two stroke engine). However the cruise ships that are built from scratch now prefer to use diesel electric, so you would have several gensets instead, powering azimuth thruster.

It is often down to comfort and space. The large two stroke engines put very low frequency vibrations through the hull, which can be discomforting to passengers, plus they require a decent amount of space for the engine room. Smaller genset engines don't have the same vibration problems as they run at faster rpms, plus being smaller it is possible to have a smaller engine room (or even several small engine rooms fitted in here and there), meaning more usable space for passengers etc.

That help at all??

Cheers,

Phil

[Lloyd]

Thanks brookster that's cleared up everything.

Fingers crossed with my experience I'll be able to get sponsorship from the likes of BP/Shell/Chevron.

Thanks again,

Lloyd