Leaving day in 2 days

[RNR]

Any final tips before I board my first ship?

[size4riggerboots]

Take european plug adapters, plenty of toothpaste and detergent to wash small items of clothing in your sink. Don't join the ship in uniform, be punctual, own up to your mistakes and relax!

[CharlieDelta]

Because we're MN not RN. Our job starts after we've signed on.

[size4riggerboots]

And everyone will laugh at you.

[tlloyd1983]

And you'll look like a knob. What company are you with?

[tlloyd1983]

Defo no uniform then! I have a few friends with them. What ship?

[tlloyd1983]

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.

[AlternativeNavs]

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!

[Andy_S]

Wilhelmsen pal

Didn't know they took cadets. Who is it through?

[CharlieDelta]

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.

[GuinnessMan]

Didn't know they took cadets. Who is it through?

In the UK it is with Clyde Marine. Outside of the UK it is done through manning agents I believe, but I'm not entirely sure (however that is how most Indian, Philipino, etc all do it).

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.

I've never known "Chair Rules" in an Engine Room. Just grab a seat where you can, unless you're maneuvering, then Chief gets the one at the Engine Control Console...

[agibbs98]

I find this chair hierarchy comical.

How's it going RNR? Update us some day soon!

[Brimbo]

The whole chair thing applied on my first ship, the Chief/2nd had the cushioned spinny chair.. the cadets got the DIY wooden bench..

[Andy_S]

Is 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!

[AlternativeNavs]

Is 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!

You will find it is ship specific and you will need to inquire on the 'particulars of the chairs' when you get onboard. Some ships have no such hard rule, although when the Master wants a chair you best make sure your not sitting on one. Others seem to have Master only chairs. TBH if i'm on watch the bridge is my space and I have full use the equipment. If the Master wants a chair if he pops up then there is normally one available. Then again when working a DP vessel the nice chairs are reserved for the DPO's and so the Master gets the stool!

As always it depends on who, what and when.