Epaulettes

[JonathanI]

Just thought I would ask what Kind of Epaulettes do people prefer ? Straight,Diamond or Curl ? Also do certain companies require certain style ?.

[Steve]

For whom? The diamond used to indicate a certificated officer, but seems to have been extended to various uncertificated departments. The curl is a Royal Navy thing adopted by some Merchant companies. Not sure of any that use(d) straight rings without diamonds for certificated officers.

[JonathanI]

For whom? The diamond used to indicate a certificated officer, but seems to have been extended to various uncertificated departments. The curl is a Royal Navy thing adopted by some Merchant companies. Not sure of any that use(d) straight rings without diamonds for certificated officers.

So take it most companies use diamonds ?

[Steve]

The ones that bother with a uniform, yes. The standard Merchant Navy rank insignia uses/used diamonds with stripes.

[JonathanI]

The ones that bother with a uniform, yes. The standard Merchant Navy rank insignia uses/used diamonds with stripes.

Ah right never wore a uniform as with most ships i assume ! only ever seen one capt in proper uniform and he had the 4bars

[CharlieDelta]

Not sure of any that use(d) straight rings without diamonds for certificated officers.

P&O Cruises (and Princess) dropped the diamond for some unknown historical reason.

[JonathanI]

P&O Cruises (and Princess) dropped the diamond for some unknown historical reason.

so Just straight bars ?

[Pilot Chris]

P&O Cruises (and Princess) dropped the diamond for some unknown historical reason.

Dont quote me but I was told they lost the diamond due to some historic issue of not assisting during a period of conflict, what I really believe having worked for them for ages is that the hotel department didn't want the deck and engineers to have more obvious differences in rank and thus across the board everyone had straight bars.

it was a very hot topic for years as in the company's eyes the DJ was the same rank as the 3rd mates/engineers. As I went up the ranks it bothered me less but I spent many hours talking to disgruntled junior mates trying to ensure they didn't take it too seriously.

[CharlieDelta]

it was a very hot topic for years as in the company's eyes the DJ was the same rank as the 3rd mates/engineers. As I went up the ranks it bothered me less but I spent many hours talking to disgruntled junior mates trying to ensure they didn't take it too seriously.

Interesting you mention it as you might have seen a letter sent to the Nautilus Telegraph by a P&O deck officer recently. The company has now introduced stripes for entertainment staff, so it's not just "I'm equivalent to a one stripe officer" any more, it's "I am a one stripe officer".

so Just straight bars ?

Yes:

Half = Fourth Officer (first trip with company, have a funny feeling this has been phased out now)
One = Third Officer (later trips or ex-company cadets)
Two = Second Officer
Two and a Half = Second Officer with Master's ticket
Three = First/Safety Officer
Four = Deputy Captain
Four with rising sun = Captain

Compared to Cunard (all with tucked Diamond):

One and a half = Third Officer
Two = Second Officer
Three = First/Safety Officer
Four = Deputy Captain
Four with lower stripe thickened = Captain

Personally, I'll wear whatever the company wants as long as I get paid. It's very easy to get caught up in stripe politics but ultimately I'm not that fussed if the DJ has a stripe.

[GuinnessMan]

Interesting you mention it as you might have seen a letter sent to the Nautilus Telegraph by a P&O deck officer recently. The company has now introduced stripes for entertainment staff, so it's not just "I'm equivalent to a one stripe officer" any more, it's "I am a one stripe officer".

Just wait for the old and.....well, just old really to all start foaming at the mouth and sending in letters to the Telegraph! They might even send them in using a harsh font so that we know they're really unhappy!

[Pilot Chris]

I would definitely steer clear of the this if any cadets or junior officers are reading thinking "let's throw a hand grenade in and start this discussion in the wardroom!" It never ends well.....

[IFHP]

BP have the curl, apparently it was awarded to the company due to losses during WW2.

[Clanky]

Andrew Weir Shipping also had the curl for much the same reason.

Personally I prefer the diamonds if I have to wear uniform, but knicks and flip flops are the order of the day offshore, which is fine too.

Actually now I come to think of it some health and safety twat in the office has just banned flip flops, we had a GP recently who fell over and hurt himself in the shower, wonder when they will ban showers?

[SeaGazer]

Having worked in the hotel department on cruise ships I have seen the stripe politics from the other side. Frankly the stripes are there because pax like to see them. Makes them feel all giddy on the inside about being on a ship. As far as pay is concerned it certainly is not equal across the departments and levels of stripiness. As CD says it doesn't not matter what you wear as long as they pay you .

[GuinnessMan]

Having worked in the hotel department on cruise ships I have seen the stripe politics from the other side. Frankly the stripes are there because pax like to see them. Makes them feel all giddy on the inside about being on a ship. As far as pay is concerned it certainly is not equal across the departments and levels of stripiness. As CD says it doesn't not matter what you wear as long as they pay you .

Meh, it's just funny for us lot to watch all the old and......nope still old froth themselves into a frenzy over nothing.

It's like an immigrant story in the daily mail!