Too late?

[Guest]

Hi guys I've recently decided to pursue a career in the merchant navy which ive wanted to do for a long time now but for reasons i cant say ive had to put it off. Basically Im turning 21 this july and just want to know if people think thats to late to join as i know most people will either be 16 or 18 I will feel old compared to the others and maybe i have put it off to long because the time i qualify i will be 24, what do you guys think i left it to late? thanks

[steamer]

Re: To late?

You'll find that you're one of the younger members of the class to be honest mate, we have people late 20's-50's! Get your application in quick before you get to 22....then you're a proper OAP!!

[Maso210]

Re: To late?

i know most people will either be 16 or 18

Exactly the opposite is true, most people aren't 16 or 18 the majority are 22-26 and we have a few over 30. You will almost certainly be one of the younger ones.

[TheHarry]

Re: To late?

I was told that I was lucky I am 18 in January because they dont want any under 18's on the sea phase, I am definitely the youngest perhaps.

[beer-engineer]

Re: To late?

Its law. You're not allowed at sea as a cadet worker on a MN vessel as an under 18. I think its law anyway. It's definitely company policy

[TheHarry]

Re: To late?

Fair enough, I wasn't sure you see I thought you could join up at 16 so I thought being able to go on the sea earlier then 18 must be possible, but I dont know. :P

[Randomist]

Re: To late?

Its law. You're not allowed at sea as a cadet worker on a MN vessel as an under 18. I think its law anyway. It's definitely company policy

It's not law, the minimum age is 16, as with all other jobs. Believe it or not for a British company to refuse employment to someone because of their age breaches the European Convention of Human Rights.

However, lots of companies run their employment departments offshore. On the Isle of Man or in Bermuda for example, where this law does not apply.

What is law is that under 18s are not allowed to sign any employment contract, the signature is invalid. This is why U18s need a parent or guardian to countersign a contract of employment. And while you are at sea there are some restrictions on the jobs you can do.

[RNR]

Re: To late?

I'm 23 on my first phase and am smack bang in the middle in terms of age in my class. Theres another the same age, 2 under 20 and the oldest is 31. As the others above have said you find most cadets are in thier 20s when they start so your not too old at all!

[Randomist]

Re: To late?

This is also not uncommon, I know a 48 yr old cadet and a number of cadets who were 16 when they started. Some colleges have different averages. There's no limit to how old you can be. Just so long as you pass the medicals and the exams lol

[Chiefy]

Re: To late?

Nooo what IS against the law is letting under 18's do certain jobs and work certain hours, begger all to do with contracts, you can sign it so long as it is counter signed by a "grown up".

Under 18's cannt work over certain hours or past certain hours....you'd have to check the HOR regs but it's in there..... oh and the CoSWOP it has some things in it too

[GuinnessMan]

Re: To late?

U-18's are not allowed to work nights or weekends, however in reality most do as they are there to learn. The work/rest sheets get fiddled a bit for this, but it's all fine.

As cadets the only task you will really be allowed to do unassisted is painting and chipping. No Officer in their right mind is going to let you dismantle anything without them being there as it's their neck if you screw up/get hurt.

[size4riggerboots]

Re: To late?

I is 29, anyone who calls me old will get a smack in da face, innit.

[beer-engineer]

Re: To late?

Nooo what IS against the law is letting under 18's do certain jobs and work certain hours, begger all to do with contracts, you can sign it so long as it is counter signed by a "grown up".

Under 18's cannt work over certain hours or past certain hours....you'd have to check the HOR regs but it's in there..... oh and the CoSWOP it has some things in it too

This is what i was trying to get at lol

[Rowdy]

Re: To late?

I'm 23 on my first phase and am smack bang in the middle in terms of age in my class. Theres another the same age, 2 under 20 and the oldest is 31. As the others above have said you find most cadets are in thier 20s when they start so your not too old at all!

I'm starting in September at 24 so I'll be close to my pension by the time i've finished training!

Also, a little off topic...Whats the average class sizes at college? I have in my head 30 cadets per class.

[GuinnessMan]

Re: To late?

I is 29, anyone who calls me old will get a smack in da face, innit.

You're not old, your aged like a fine wine....