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As there have been a few posts about not so good experiences at sea lately and in the past too. I'm sure you will all have questions and maybe rather nervous, excited, worried too.
Which is why I was thinking it might be a good idea if the officers and training companies that lurk around could offer their advice? It would be really useful I think if the sponsors could post some general info from their point of view. They are very quiet!
Now what to take with you, Hatchorder made a great list, and a search will most likely provide answers to other things he has not included that you think are important.
Get organised sort out whats going to happen to your post, how to access your money, some banks need to be told where you are going in advance. If away from the UK as they may stop access to your account if it seems unusual behaviour. Sometimes you can do this online. With some trips you will not know where your ship is going. So think about arranging with your bank, or arrange for someone you trust to be an authorised signatory for a limited time, if you do not know if you have internet access even more important.
Cruise ships - much more likely you know which countries its going to. Uk based not a problem.
Do you need a special device to access your account, pin number special words, memorable info, anything like that, make sure you try it before you go. Or else you face the prospect of phoning a help line, at very expensive rates, not to mention the musak !
Sim cards where will yours work what are the costs likely to be?
Now I think all training companies visit their cadets and give them their TRB's and explain it. If its different please say. Make sure you know what you should be doing, what signatures you need etc. What they want you to do, what reports or any work that is expected and when. What work if any that college need done. Write it down so you can refer back to it later. They may give this all down in writing.
Why not make a list of questions that you want answered before this meeting, tick them off.
Yes, I am sure what you really want to know is, what ship is it, wheres it going, how do I meet it, when do I get told, how do I get my tickets etc.
What you need to make sure you do is listen very carefully to the 'other stuff' they tell you the not so exciting bits. Make sure you know the answers before you go away to the following as they seem to be the ones that crop up, or any other things you feel are important.
What should you do if you can't get anyone to sign things.
Who should you report a problem to, what happens if that fails to resolve it.
When would they like to know if there is a problem, and what sort of problems should you always report immediately to them. How should you do that? What evidence would they want?
If you know the answers to those questions should a problem arise, you do not then feel that you are snitching, being difficult, or are put in a position where you do not know what to do, if there is no one else that speaks your language that you can ask in a difficult situation at the time. Which will only make you feel worse.
You should feel confident about what is required.
If its a dangerous practice you can act immediately, and know the procedure, not leave it for weeks months worrying what you should or shouldn't do.
Then should you need to contact your company you can say, you told me if XYZ happened I must contact you. Far better than leaving it till your home feeling angry upset and disillusioned with it all and them saying well if you told us we could have done something.
Be prepared to eat different food, take advantage of foreign crews and learn about their culture and how they think and live,find out about how they train, learn a few words of their language, hello, thank you, how are you etc.
Avoid the we do it this way its better thing, use the its interesting how you do that, I was shown how to do it like this. You are after all the cadet that knows little in their eyes. Use the I have seen you do...... I haven't seen that before, can you show me.....
If they are busy acknowledge that they are, and use the I can see you a really busy when would it be a good time for you to show me......Its something that I have to put in my TRB that I can do before x week. If unsuccessful after a few attempts, with who ever should be doing this refer back to what your company said you should if...
No doubt the minute you find out what ship you are on, it will be straight to the net to find out about it and where it is, hopefully you will also remember the answers to the questions you asked just in case.
Even though there have been posts on the forum with cadets having had terrible trips, there are many, many more that don't post all the good ones they have had.
If its not going well remember what Laura posted its a MN cadetship it does not last forever.
I wish you all good safe trips with crews that are helpful, so that you can all comeback and post some good stories!
Now I have given myself all the excuses I can to avoid doing jobs I hate, I shall have to be off and do them!
Which is why I was thinking it might be a good idea if the officers and training companies that lurk around could offer their advice? It would be really useful I think if the sponsors could post some general info from their point of view. They are very quiet!
Now what to take with you, Hatchorder made a great list, and a search will most likely provide answers to other things he has not included that you think are important.
Get organised sort out whats going to happen to your post, how to access your money, some banks need to be told where you are going in advance. If away from the UK as they may stop access to your account if it seems unusual behaviour. Sometimes you can do this online. With some trips you will not know where your ship is going. So think about arranging with your bank, or arrange for someone you trust to be an authorised signatory for a limited time, if you do not know if you have internet access even more important.
Cruise ships - much more likely you know which countries its going to. Uk based not a problem.
Do you need a special device to access your account, pin number special words, memorable info, anything like that, make sure you try it before you go. Or else you face the prospect of phoning a help line, at very expensive rates, not to mention the musak !
Sim cards where will yours work what are the costs likely to be?
Now I think all training companies visit their cadets and give them their TRB's and explain it. If its different please say. Make sure you know what you should be doing, what signatures you need etc. What they want you to do, what reports or any work that is expected and when. What work if any that college need done. Write it down so you can refer back to it later. They may give this all down in writing.
Why not make a list of questions that you want answered before this meeting, tick them off.
Yes, I am sure what you really want to know is, what ship is it, wheres it going, how do I meet it, when do I get told, how do I get my tickets etc.
What you need to make sure you do is listen very carefully to the 'other stuff' they tell you the not so exciting bits. Make sure you know the answers before you go away to the following as they seem to be the ones that crop up, or any other things you feel are important.
What should you do if you can't get anyone to sign things.
Who should you report a problem to, what happens if that fails to resolve it.
When would they like to know if there is a problem, and what sort of problems should you always report immediately to them. How should you do that? What evidence would they want?
If you know the answers to those questions should a problem arise, you do not then feel that you are snitching, being difficult, or are put in a position where you do not know what to do, if there is no one else that speaks your language that you can ask in a difficult situation at the time. Which will only make you feel worse.
You should feel confident about what is required.
If its a dangerous practice you can act immediately, and know the procedure, not leave it for weeks months worrying what you should or shouldn't do.
Then should you need to contact your company you can say, you told me if XYZ happened I must contact you. Far better than leaving it till your home feeling angry upset and disillusioned with it all and them saying well if you told us we could have done something.
Be prepared to eat different food, take advantage of foreign crews and learn about their culture and how they think and live,find out about how they train, learn a few words of their language, hello, thank you, how are you etc.
Avoid the we do it this way its better thing, use the its interesting how you do that, I was shown how to do it like this. You are after all the cadet that knows little in their eyes. Use the I have seen you do...... I haven't seen that before, can you show me.....
If they are busy acknowledge that they are, and use the I can see you a really busy when would it be a good time for you to show me......Its something that I have to put in my TRB that I can do before x week. If unsuccessful after a few attempts, with who ever should be doing this refer back to what your company said you should if...
No doubt the minute you find out what ship you are on, it will be straight to the net to find out about it and where it is, hopefully you will also remember the answers to the questions you asked just in case.
Even though there have been posts on the forum with cadets having had terrible trips, there are many, many more that don't post all the good ones they have had.
If its not going well remember what Laura posted its a MN cadetship it does not last forever.
I wish you all good safe trips with crews that are helpful, so that you can all comeback and post some good stories!
Now I have given myself all the excuses I can to avoid doing jobs I hate, I shall have to be off and do them!
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