Any final tips before I board my first ship?
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Because we're MN not RN. Our job starts after we've signed on.sigpicHello! I'm Chris. I'm away a lot so I'm sorry if it takes me a while to reply to messages, but I promise I'll get back to everyone. If it's urgent, please email me directly at [email protected].
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By the way you wanted tips, so I guess mine would be:
Learn your COLREGs.
Don't ever be late for watch.
Don't be chatty on watch. Ask questions, but don't keep gossiping with the OOW or the duty watchman.
Don't just do your watch hours then watch porn in your cabin for the other 8 until your next watch. Get outside, volunteer for jobs, get the Chief to take you on inspections, do the FFA and LSA checks with the 3rd, help the 2nd with chart updates, go painting with the crew, etc.
Don't talk about how much money you get as a cadet. Ever. I have tried and failed to explain the economic differences of living in the UK compared to India/Ukraine/Philippines, they just won't understand.
Do shower and keep yourself clean. No one wants to do 4 hour watch with a smelly bastard.
Don't run ashore as soon as you can upon getting to port, even if the Chief says you can, the crew will resent you, and you'll earn a reputation. Do your watch hours, then go ashore.
Learn your COLREGs.
That's all I can think of. Just be a hard worker, and not a waste of cabin space.
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Two things with regards to the above;
On watch you will find that talking to the OOW helps build up a relationship that will aid you in 'bonding', this comes in useful when asking questions and working on deck. Obviously no body wants to be disturbed with meaningless triva during important tasks but to sit in silence may induce a reputation of you know better (arrogance) or dis-interest. This is all dependant on nationalities and language barriers but you will find it much more enjoyable than walking around the bridge saying nothing. We are human - its good to talk!
As for work 'off watch'. You should find yourself out and about on deck completing the maintenance tasks (alongside the 3rds/2nd) and helping the crew. Although getting out of your cabin and helping out is onerous on you - hopefully you will not have many options for tossing it off when work needs to be done. When it needs to be done - you will know about it! Or at least you would sailing alongside me!
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To expand on the money thing - just don't talk about it at all. Not even with British officers. What you earn is your own business.
If there's chairs on the bridge, don't sit in them. If you're invited, politely decline a few times before accepting. The chair, weird as it sounds, is a symbol of responsibility. The person who sits in it has earned it. I was invited to sit down countless times but politely refused until I started getting more into the actual navigation side of things as opposed to general/ancillary bridge duties (our radar/ECDIS/supermegaintegrated consoles can only really be used properly if you're sat down) If there's only one chair, and it's not directly in front of a radar console, it's the Captain's. Don't sit in that one. Here endeth the slightly bizarre rules of bridge seating.Last edited by CharlieDelta; 19 September 2011, 09:49 PM.sigpicHello! I'm Chris. I'm away a lot so I'm sorry if it takes me a while to reply to messages, but I promise I'll get back to everyone. If it's urgent, please email me directly at [email protected].
Need books, Flip Cards or chartwork instruments? Visit SailorShop.co.uk!
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Originally posted by Andy_S View PostDidn't know they took cadets. Who is it through?
Originally posted by CharlieDelta View PostTo expand on the money thing - just don't talk about it at all. Not even with British officers. What you earn is your own business.
If there's chairs on the bridge, don't sit in them. If you're invited, politely decline a few times before accepting. The chair, weird as it sounds, is a symbol of responsibility. The person who sits in it has earned it. I was invited to sit down countless times but politely refused until I started getting more into the actual navigation side of things as opposed to general/ancillary bridge duties (our radar/ECDIS/supermegaintegrated consoles can only really be used properly if you're sat down) If there's only one chair, and it's not directly in front of a radar console, it's the Captain's. Don't sit in that one. Here endeth the slightly bizarre rules of bridge seating.I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.....
All posts here represent my own opinion and not that of my employer.
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Originally posted by Andy_S View PostIs the chair thing a cruise ship thing or does it apply to all ships?
Oh and good luck to the OP. Have a great trip and stay safe!
As always it depends on who, what and when.
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