Sea Virgin

[CompetentSailor]

Hi, got my first sea trip on Thursday, I'm just wondering if anyone has any last words for me, from what to take to what I should expect, I'm going to be in the north sea with north star, on supply , and am an engineer ?

Thanks

[GuinnessMan]

A Sea Virgin? What the hell is one of them?

Anywho, sea-sickness tablets (Sturgeon 15 or something and lots of), a decent torch (don't go cheap, try to get intrinsic), coveralls that fit comfortably, boots that fit comfortably (and have been walked in), decent shifter, decent multi-tool (leatherman or something), a notebook that fits in your top pocket (very important), pen or pencil (biro or something cheap but works), decent set of ear defenders, tough digital camera that fits into a pocket and thats about it.

Advice? Listen to what your engineers say, watch what they do and make sure you take lots of notes on what they show you to do as they will expect you to be able to do it at some point. Make sure your there for departure and ensure that you know how to start up the engine as soon as you can. They'll probably have a checklist somewhere, make sure you go through that. Also, and I know it's dull, pull out your vessel's SMS and have a good read through it. You'll be expected to work to that and it can be an utter goldmine for cadets who need to write reports. Also, make sure you photograph all the components within your engine room at some point as it does help report writing (and the pictures look nice in the report).

First things to do on board? Learn where everything within your engine room is. Do a floor plan of each deck of the engine room and locations of where machinery is. It doesn't have to be pretty but it will help you remember where things are. Also, get some scruff paper, clipboard and get under the floorboards. Trace every pipe in the engine room and draw out the systems from that. Don't just pull out the system diagram and copy that as you won't know what pipe goes where. Your C/E may ask you to do this, but I would advise doing it regardless. Unless you know how the systems work and what pipes connect to what then you're pretty useless.

Expect to be given crappy and ****ty jobs at first. You're a first trip cadet, you're not going to get the gucci jobs until you've proven yourself a little and have learnt some of the basics of what goes on whilst on board, so you will be cleaning and you will be painting. Also, ask to help with any job that comes along as it shows your willing to learn and not be an incompetent cadet forever (we were all like that our first trips...)

[penfold]

Hi, got my first sea trip on Thursday, I'm just wondering if anyone has any last words for me, from what to take to what I should expect, I'm going to be in the north sea with north star, on supply , and am an engineer ?

Thanks

Name your beneficiary? Hehe, only kidding; NS are no better or worse than any other offshore service provider. Take your lappy, lots of music and tv/films, a supply of choccy or whatever else gets you through a bad day and a sense of humour. Do you like painting and cleaning?

[bobofinga]

Which ship you joining? I imagine its the Explorer or the Talisman , if its the Talisker god help you.