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My son who is 18 is doing his first sea phase and has been at sea for 14 weeks. He is now travelling from Equador to the US where he was hoping to be discharged. Unfortunately he has not had any shore leave and is very keen to know when he is going to get his feet onto dry land and come home. he has today found out that the ship won't actually go into port in the U.S. And instead will be doing a ship to ship transfer at the Pacific Lightering Area then on to El Segundo where there are no crew changes allowed (apparently!). Can you tell me if it will still be possible to discharge from the ship in the US if the ship is not actually in port? If not, then it is possible that the ship will be leaving US for Singapore (where he joined) which could take a further 3 weeks. Any information would be much appreciated.
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I'm sorry to say this, but he is unlikely to be getting off at PAL as it's too far offshore. I think Singapore is much more likely....
Sent from my GT-I9505 using TapatalkI love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.....
All posts here represent my own opinion and not that of my employer. -
If the ship gets port clearance (if she is lightering cargo then she should have) then it should be technically possible to leave by launch. Whether that happens or not is really down to whether or not the company are prepared to pay for the launch.
Would the extra few weeks be a big problem? Is he having a tough time onboard already or is he enjoying it?Go out, do stuffComment
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Ah GM ninja's this in as I was replying, wasn't aware of the distances, he is probably right if it is lots of miles offshore. Are there many crew due off?Originally posted by GuinnessMan View Post
If he is struggling with the idea of staying onboard then try to get him to look on the positive side:
More time to complete training record book
He has already done 14 weeks an extra 3 is not that much
Everything at home will still be there when he gets backGo out, do stuffComment
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Also its 3 weeks more seatime which is 3 weeks closer to the 12 months he'll need!Comment
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Thank you all for your comments! We have had contact with our son almost every day since he went away (14 weeks on Sunday') and he seems to have settled in really well and gets on with all of the crew. This last week or so however he is sounding quite down and is is now ready for home. There is another engine cadet who joined with my son and two other officers both over their time.We are trying to convince him that the time will fly over. I think the problem is he is seeing all of his friends going off on their holidays lol!!! He has done really well with his first college phase, has got through all of his exams with flying colours and we just hope that he doesn't come home so fed up that he wants to jack it all in!! Fingers crossed he gets off! If not then he will just have to grin and bear it and I will just continue to worry!! Thanks again!Comment
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Hi Another Worried Mam, parent of a qualified officer and phase 4 cadet here. It is hard when your cadet contacts home and you can tell they aren't happy. There's quite a few of us parents on here and we are always happy to respond if you want to contact us. As others have said the more sea time accrued now the less they will do in the future. It does get easier both for your cadet and you.Comment
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thank you Galley Slave I will bear that in mind! You may hear from me in the next few weeks if he doesn't get discharged! I think we were all under the impression that as they were just cadets they would be strict on getting them discharged on time. Thanks again.Comment
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I can imagine how he's feeling. On my first trip to sea I had to do an extra month because they wouldn't pay me off by helicopter at Cape Town and I'd already done 6 months by then.
A piece of advice that worth passing on to him - and anyone else for that matter. Don't ever assume you're paying off until you've signed off and left the ship.io parlo morseComment
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Yes I think we will have to remind him of this when he goes away on his next sea phase.Originally posted by endure View PostComment
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We found the 'getting off' date is variable! My cadet is finished just the oral to do. I think of it this way any date given is an approximate.
Only cruise ships have a schedule which tends to keep to time excepting exceptional weather. Anything else seems to follow the approximate option. They seem to have a date and mark off the days thinking about what they are looking forward to doing then the news comes that it isn't so, then they get disappointed which is understandable. Better to think of dates as a likely.
If he has a good ship and crew better to do time now, next one may not be the same, that seems to be another variable!
Sometimes not having good communications and knowing what everyone else is up at home to is a bonus.Comment
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If you have found the site useful, could I please encourage you to make an account and join the site as a member, we are sure to have someone in a similar position to yourself in a few months, a year or a few years time and your experience might just be the comfort that they need, you could also point your son in our direction, he may find the site useful or may be able to contribute to help others.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostGo out, do stuffComment
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My wife and I met on cruise ships, where the ship's schedule is planned at least a year in advance and where you generally join, already knowing the date and place when you will leave, since I have moved to the offshore industry she has struggled to get her head around the idea that I will join on 1st june and leave sometime in August or maybe September. She was asking last leave which months I would be at sea next year so that we could go ahead and book holidays!Go out, do stuffComment
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Yeah your never signed off till your on the train/plane with a pint in one hand and your discharge book in the other!
I do agree Cruise Ship schedules are a lot easier for planning. Your unlikely to even be a day late.Comment
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thanks for your replies everyone. My son received word from his Company yesterday that he is to be discharged in El Segundo. Yippee lol!! Not sure of dates yet but he is now much happier that he has heard from them and arrangements are being put in hand! Fingers crossed he is disappointed! I will mention to him that he should view this Forum as it is extremely helpful and interesting. Thanks again xComment
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