Tanker Familiarisation Course

[captain birds eye]

Hi

I was wondering if someone could tell me if the tanker familiarisation course is compulsory? I cant seem to find a definitive answer online.

Thanks

CBE

[GuinnessMan]

Are with a company that has tankers and are highly likely to go on board a tanker as a cadet?

If the answer to that is no, then there is no need to go on a Tanker Familiarisation course.

If the answer is yes, then yes it is a requirement before doing any sea service aboard a tanker.

[Steve]

Is it no longer part of Phase 1 of a standard cadetship?

[ETwhat?]

Steve, its not a part of the cadetship. so it's down to individual companies to say if they want you to have it before sea phase

[GuinnessMan]

Is it no longer part of Phase 1 of a standard cadetship?

I don't think it ever was simply because it's an extra STCW course that costs money, so they'll only do it if there is a high likelihood you will go on a tanker.

[Steve]

I don't think it ever was simply because it's an extra STCW course that costs money, so they'll only do it if there is a high likelihood you will go on a tanker.

It was. Before your time. My entire deck cadet intake did it as part of Phase 1, mixed in with the other four statutory STCW certificates.

[GuinnessMan]

It was. Before your time. My entire deck cadet intake did it as part of Phase 1, mixed in with the other four statutory STCW certificates.

Were you all RFA or tanker bods?

[YoungMariner]

When i did my 6 week Phase 1 the tanker guys were all sent off for the familiarisation. Poor guys, never knew what they were getting in for. All returned from sea with that 1000 yard stare...

[Steve]

Were you all RFA or tanker bods?

Standard GCNS intake of c. 100 deck cadets split into four classes for Phase 1. My group included guys on at least container ships, pax, ROPAX, reefers, offshore, tankers, sponsored by CMT (P&O, NMM, Knutsen, Gulf, CalMac, Zodiac...), CP Ships, Maersk, RFA.

EVERYONE did Tanker Familiarisation. It was part of the cadetship package at that time.

[mak]

Although it is for the most part hilariously dull, if you're at STC you might have the joy of getting a certain mad ex-chief to do the safety part. So many bizarre stories of sailing under the libyan flag in the '70s and '80s, working for "the colonel", like a boss.

[GuinnessMan]

Standard GCNS intake of c. 100 deck cadets split into four classes for Phase 1. My group included guys on at least container ships, pax, ROPAX, reefers, offshore, tankers, sponsored by CMT (P&O, NMM, Knutsen, Gulf, CalMac, Zodiac...), CP Ships, Maersk, RFA.

EVERYONE did Tanker Familiarisation. It was part of the cadetship package at that time.

How long ago was this?

[Steve]

Not a PERSEC friendly question.

[GuinnessMan]

Not a PERSEC friendly question.

Considering the only RFA cadets I've ever met were female, I think you'll be ok.

So roughly, what years?

[ETwhat?]

Not a PERSEC friendly question.

that made me lol

[TheFunktopus]

Based on South Tyneside college's prices, it'll cost you about ?300 for a 2 day MCA approved tanker familiarisation course. My sponsor don't operate tankers so won't pay for it on my behalf, and as I'm not sure I'll get a job when I finish next year, I'm giving serious thought to paying for it myself so I have more options when I start to apply for jobs.

Or I am being stupid?