Container to Dredger

[Unregistered]

Hi everyone,

Currently with a large container company but I have a trial with a dredger company. The main factor for me looking elsewhere is the rotation, this company is offering me 3/3 weeks compared to 12/8 weeks. However they do have a 3 week trial period. I have taken the job and carry out the trial period.

I was just looking for any advice on the main differences as I have only been on container and bulk ships. What would the role of a 3E be on this type of vessel and what are you experience with the weather on these vessels.

Thanks.

[Clanky]

Assuming that this is an aggregate dredger, then as 3/E you will be duty engineer in UMS mode and expected to man the engine room during loading, arrival and departure from port and to be around during discharge in port.

Some companies have a deck engineer who maintains the deck machinery and in the case of bucketwheel discharge, drives the bucketwheel, but in some companies all the engineers take a turn.

I terms of weather it can get a bit bumpy, but due to the nature of the business (dredging areas and discharge ports are never that far away, and you can’t dredge in very heavy weather) you are not normally in bad weather for extended periods of time.

I worked for South Coast Shipping, which has now become CEMEX I believe, and I thoroughly enjoyed it for the most part.

[Unregistered]

Thanks for the reply Clanky. Yeah had some info back the ship runs UMS, just waiting on full job description coming through. The weather aspect of it seems ok, I can handle bumpy but never really been in bad weather.

I take it a trial trip the first time is pretty much industry standard? I will have 1 week handover and then 2 weeks on my own. I'm assuming the trial is to ensure you're willing to put the work in and have half a clue about what you're doing?

[Clanky]

Yeah, I would guess that the trial will be to ensure that a) you are suitable for the job and b) that it is something that you want to do.

In terms of machinery, most small dredgers run on MGO, so there will be no HFO handling systems, although you will have a small MGO purifier.

[jcwilson91]

Yeah, I would guess that the trial will be to ensure that a) you are suitable for the job and b) that it is something that you want to do.

In terms of machinery, most small dredgers run on MGO, so there will be no HFO handling systems, although you will have a small MGO purifier.

How I dream of this. I'm sick of crappy HFO.

How ever this new regulation which eliminates LSFO in ECA/SECA since Jan 1st is somewhat helpful