Hello

[Chris10]

Hello everyone, I'm Chris, I'm 19 years old and I'm interested in pursuing a career in the Merchant Navy. So far I have applied to the following companies, it is likely that I will send off more applications off in the near future:

Carnival
Princess Cruises
BP
Shell
James Fisher plc
Maersk
Viking

I am about to drop out of an Aeronautical Engineering degree at a Russell Group University. I simply find university study too theoretical, the most hands-on element has been building a balsa wood glider. Whilst I have a strong interest in engineering, I simply wish to enjoy a career which is more practical. I considered both the Merchant Navy as a Deck Officer and the airline industry (which turned out to be pretty shocking) as a pilot. After much research I decided to apply to the Merchant Navy. I have been lucky enough to have travelled on many ships including the HSC Normandie Express, the Legend of the Seas and a sailing yacht off the Great Barrier Reef.

I have worked in retail during a Gap Year and I still work in a shop part-time. I definitely wouldn't want to work in this sector for the rest of my life, it doesn't offer anything technical and long-term prospects are relatively poor.

Outside of my applications my main interests are music (I play the guitar), and current affairs (I read the Daily Mail, Telegraph and the FT far too often). Whilst at University I was a member of the Formula Student team, where I designed a fuel tank. I was also a member of the Universitiy's Aikido Club (Aikido is a Japanese martial art).

Whilst I am confident of my academic ability (Scottish Highers AABBB including Physics at A and Mathematics at B), I am rather concerned that dropping out of university will mean that sponsoring companies won't even consider my applications. I suppose all I can do is make myself appear as strong as possible and research thoroughly.

[chris]

Re: Hello

welcome

Can I ask why you're not considering thr engineering side of the merchant navy?

[Chris10]

Re: Hello

Whilst I have an interest in engineering, having researched all options (Deck, Engine, and ETO), I generally think that I would be most suited to the Deck positions. I probably have a stronger existing knowledge of navigation related subjects (weather, certain aspects of mathematics) than engineering related subjects such as engine maintenance and manufacturing (in the workshop). I also think I would enjoy the navigation-based duties more than the engineering-based duties in the long term. I am relatively poor in electronic-based subjects, thus I think I would struggle to succeed as an ETO.

[Squareleg28]

Re: Hello

Whilst I have an interest in engineering, having researched all options (Deck, Engine, and ETO), I generally think that I would be most suited to the Deck positions. I probably have a stronger existing knowledge of navigation related subjects (weather, certain aspects of mathematics) than engineering related subjects such as engine maintenance and manufacturing (in the workshop). I also think I would enjoy the navigation-based duties more than the engineering-based duties in the long term. I am relatively poor in electronic-based subjects, thus I think I would struggle to succeed as an ETO.

Remember most people on the course (there are exceptions) will have little knowledge of any of the subjects for deck, engine or electrical. The college and sea time will teach you what you need.

[Chiefy]

Re: Hello

The reason you are taken on as a cadet (or trainee) is you dont know stuff and are there to learn, so not knowing about engine maintenance isnt an issue, we have loads of books telling us what to do, when to do it and occasionaly how to do it (but I ignore those for preference!). If you knew this stuff already you wouldnt be a cadet you'd be an officer already.

Remember that deep sea navigation there is a lot of looking out of the window watching the blue sky and the blue water go past (no I am not denegrating the job or picking a fight), the weather is just that, most time you plough through it (some notable exceptions) as you need to be at your destination on time etc. Though to be fair engineering can be equally as routine (if the chief can stop from interfering and breaking stuff!) just the scenery is a little less luxurious (everywhere looks the same from the crankcase!)

[GuinnessMan]

Re: Hello

Removed

[Chris10]

Re: Hello

Thank you to everyone who has given me advice so far, I will certainly take it onboard.

[mnwanabe]

Re: Hello

onboard? just out of curiosity was didn you mean for that to sound cheesy? :P

[Chris10]

Re: Hello

I didn't consider that at all mnwannabe, I didn't see that one.

[mnwanabe]

Re: Hello

haha i was just wondering, whenever i write something i look it over to make sure i didnt wite ship shape or anything like that