CMA Cadets

[DrewSelley]

Hi,
I am due to start my first sea phase next month and was wondering if there were any CMA cadets on this page that would be able to give me some advice etc. for joining one of there vessels.

thanks

[belfaster]

Hi,
I am due to start my first sea phase next month and was wondering if there were any CMA cadets on this page that would be able to give me some advice etc. for joining one of there vessels.

thanks

Have you any idea what vessel you are joining?

[belfaster]

Hi,
I am due to start my first sea phase next month and was wondering if there were any CMA cadets on this page that would be able to give me some advice etc. for joining one of there vessels.

thanks

As for advice, well... Make sure you have a laptop with plenty of movies, tv shows and games!

You will be on duty 6 days a week, 8-5 for engineers. Mostly Croatian officers and filipino junior officers and crew. Life onboard CMA goes like clockwork, you may be lucky and get on a new ship which has internet although you have to pay and its expensive, although you will have a free email service.

My advice to you would be, try and associate as much as possible with everyone, try not to stay in your cabin all the time as it makes life onboard go much easier if you know everyone and talk to everyone. I understand you will be quite nervous and intimidated first trip but most guys onboard are nice, once you get over the croatian sense of humour!

Try to also get involved with as much activities as possible and ask to be showed things, if you show an interest they will show an interest in you. For example ask to be called for manoeuvring, bunkering etc. CMA operate a good onboard cadet training programme now. The C/E and C/O are trained and know the programme so they can assist you. This programme consists of projects and monthly reports which is sent back to head office and marked. Make sure you keep up to date with all this.

There should be a gym onboard, swimming pool, a crew room and officers room, you might be lucky and have a games console. Although I dont want to put you off, but be prepared for long days,weeks,months at sea which sometimes can get quite boring.

I am a deckie, not an engineer but I was with CMA so if you have any questions feel free to ask and I will answer to the best of my ability. I understand how nervous/intimidating a first trip can be!

[Lewisscott22]

Belfaster has got it spot on!

Around two weeks ago I signed off one of their 16,000 TEU vessels. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

[JR 1994]

Hi
I'm a Deck cadet with CMA at plymouth uni and joining ship in 2 weeks if you need any advice give us a shout.

James

[belfaster]

Hi
I'm a Deck cadet with CMA at plymouth uni and joining ship in 2 weeks if you need any advice give us a shout.

James

What ship are you joining?

[JR 1994]

Hi

I'm Joining CMA CGM Bellini

[Lewisscott22]

Hi

I'm Joining CMA CGM Bellini

There have been a few cadets from Plymouth on that ship. I have heard the Captains are excellent.

[belfaster]

Hi

I'm Joining CMA CGM Bellini

The Asia-Europe line!

I think Bellini, Puget, vivaldi are all being sold. I know Vivaldi was sold and handed over last week.

[scousesailor]

AFAIK, Vivaldi has gone but Bellini, Puget and Eiffel etc are staying (for the moment). CMA are ok in my opinion, however the trips can be long, but the ships are modern, clean and the food is good (as far as ship food can be!). Croats I have sailed with have been fantastic, also sailed with Germans and Brits in senior and junior positions (I believe the Brits are no more now). Sailed on Puget, Bellini and one of the HO managed 13800s (Magellan) so feel free to ask anything!

@JR1994, your not ###'s brother are you?

[Galley Slave]

@scousesailor. I do believe he is!

[scousesailor]

@scousesailor. I do believe he is!

Ah! I signed off Bellini for my last trip about 6 weeks so sailed with him for a few months!

[Galley Slave]

@sousesailor, he's still on Bellini!