cargo ship job

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[cargoman]

is a job on a cargo ship good?

[Capt. Matt]

Uhm......To work as a mate......well for starters do you even have your licence? 

[Ballast]

I suggest you contact your local nautical college. They can advise you in the best way, they also have more knowledge about the local regulations in your country.

[Jammy]

Would be a pretty dull lifestyle compared to a cruise ship job. Hence why I never have any intentions of joining a cargo vessel company.

[Ballast]

I dont like sailing with a cargo that moans and has an opinion 

[Tomaten]

 

[Wave Music]

I dont like sailing with a cargo that moans and has an opinion 

Couldn't agree more!

[cargoman]

which licence?

[Traddles]

As Ballast has said, talking cargo is just a serious pain. Cargo in boxes is a great deal less trouble. Just imagine the hassle of a bunch of people wanting, wanting and wanting more at every turn. My idea of sheer hell.

[mvsmith]

which licence?

Best to give a wide berth to ships flying the Southern Cross!

[bsm2003]

which licence?

Just for Starters.

http://www.mptusa.com/professional/uscg_deck.html

[Sam]

Haha, lol.

I hope you didn't think you could just hop on and have it a go. 


I would think about going 4 years back to school.

[Agent|Austin]

Haha, lol.

I hope you didn't think you could just hop on and have it a go. 


I would think about going 4 years back to school.

I wana become brain doctor, can I preform on next patient?

There is allot of schooling/training for any job. And when you have the lives of other people and valuable cargo at your hand, you have to be licensed.

[Jammy]

I dont like sailing with a cargo that moans and has an opinion 

You have a very good point! I might use that as an insult whenever a passenger bothers me in the future.

[Stuart2007]

I wana become brain doctor, can I preform on next patient?

I could think of some people where a full frontal lobotomy by a trainee brain surgeon wouldn't be noticed.

which licence?

There is nothing to stop you becoming an ordinary seaman before progressing to able seaman. This is (professionals please confirm/refute) effectively what all the hotel staff on a passenger ship are classed as. On a freighter, you can start with some very basic tasks- cleaning decks. After a bit, you can ask to get bridge duties and get your helm licence- from there you can work up rank by rank. I might be wrong, but I don't think there is anything to stop you climbing the (lower) ranks without college, at least not full time.

I looked into it some years back as I hated my industry (then) and a chance bridge visit... But I was too old! But you can do it if you are prepared to start with very basic work. Good luck, Commodore

[Ballast]

You have a very good point! I might use that as an insult whenever a passenger bothers me in the future.

Every industry in the maritime business has its benefits. It's up to you to decide which one you like the most and where you want to sail.

Also the Cruise industry has its benefits. You have more time to go ashore and do sightseeing than on a freighter. Cruise vessels also visit populair places that the quays where you are loading/discharging with a freighter. You don't have to cross the north Atlantic during wintertime, cruise vessels sail most of the time in the areas where its nice weather.

What i dont like about working on a cruise vessel, is the way of life there. For example the uniform, i would hate it. In my opinion there is also a 'ahh look at me culture' overthere. Also the fact that the bridge team consist of 4/5 people on 1 watch. What the heck, when i'm taking the dogwatch (00-04 or 00-06) i dont want anyone to annoy me. Go away! But i never would call the Cruise industry dull.

The best thing i like on a freighter is that we are compleetly self supporting as soon as the pilot leaves the ship. No one looking over your shoulder, your on your own at sea. Every one is doing their own thing. There is almost a serenity on board.

[Stuart2007]

I went to Gibraltar on a small freighter from Southampton as a passenger and there was a much more relaxed atmosphere onboard than when I've been in the crew-only areas of a passenger ship.

The hours 'hotel' staff work on passenger ships (cruisers. long range ferries) is pretty bad. One point I think bad is that when I was on POBi I was told that crew once they finish their shift are not allowed any access at all to the passenger areas on pain of keelhauling (ok, on pain of dismissal).

So I can understand why he doesn't fancy passenger ships.

[Stuart2007]

There's the other type of ship. Those big grey ships with big powerful guns...

[Ballast]

There is nothing to stop you becoming an ordinary seaman before progressing to able seaman. This is (professionals please confirm/refute) effectively what all the hotel staff on a passenger ship are classed as. On a freighter, you can start with some very basic tasks- cleaning decks. After a bit, you can ask to get bridge duties and get your helm licence- from there you can work up rank by rank. I might be wrong, but I don't think there is anything to stop you climbing the (lower) ranks without college, at least not full time.

I looked into it some years back as I hated my industry (then) and a chance bridge visit... But I was too old! But you can do it if you are prepared to start with very basic work. Good luck, Commodore

The people who started on the bottom of the ladder will become the best officers you can find at sea. I also started that way on the age of 16 after finishing high school. Taking all kinds of courses to get up the ladder in my time off.
  Guys who finish their nautical college now, can start sailing directly as an officer without knowing what it is to work on deck. In my opinion people who did worked on deck and know what it is, can instruct and support the crew much better.

Starting as a deckhand will also give you the opportunity to see if you really like working at sea. Guys that start at the nautical college nowadays, don’t have a clue about that. That’s way some people also stop during the 4 year course or during their apprenticeship. Basicly wasting 4 years, because they also don’t graduate. .

[The Ferry Man]

I went to Gibraltar on a small freighter from Southampton as a passenger and there was a much more relaxed atmosphere onboard than when I've been in the crew-only areas of a passenger ship.

The hours 'hotel' staff work on passenger ships (cruisers. long range ferries) is pretty bad. One point I think bad is that when I was on POBi I was told that crew once they finish their shift are not allowed any access at all to the passenger areas on pain of keelhauling (ok, on pain of dismissal).

So I can understand why he doesn't fancy passenger ships.

That is bad. I mean on a long crossing like that, where does the crew go then? Must get boring if they can just sit in their cabins

[Ballast]

The hours 'hotel' staff work on passenger ships (cruisers. long range ferries) is pretty bad. One point I think bad is that when I was on POBi I was told that crew once they finish their shift are not allowed any access at all to the passenger areas on pain of keelhauling (ok, on pain of dismissal).

Yes that's true. Only the Captain, Chief Mate and Chief Engineer are allowed there, ofcourse if they are in full battle outfit  

[Stuart2007]

Even when off duty and not in uniform... Having to ask permission from the senior duty officer to join friends/family when off duty if they were travelling on the ship.

I can understand the need to keep a disciplined crew, but I felt PO were treating them like kids.

[clanky]

@ cargoman

Not sure exactly what the process is in Aus, but generally speaking you will need to start off as a deck cadet (trainee officer) and then study for your first certificate of competency (officer of the watch).

This certificate is exactly the same certificate for cargo or passenger ships and when you have it you can generally transfer easily between companies.

In the UK it is normal for cadets to be sponsored by a shipping company, usually in return for a guaranteed return of service period after qualifying.

As someone said above contact your local nautical college, they should have information on the application process and the requirements for entry as well as a list of sponsoring companies.

Other than that my only advice would be "don't be so @*->ing stupid - get a real job!" :-)

[Dave M]

The hours 'hotel' staff work on passenger ships (cruisers. long range ferries) is pretty bad. One point I think bad is that when I was on POBi I was told that crew once they finish their shift are not allowed any access at all to the passenger areas on pain of keelhauling (ok, on pain of dismissal).

So I can understand why he doesn't fancy passenger ships.

Hi Stuart,
As you know, I worked on the Pride of Bilbao for two years, (not as deck crew), and what you say is right. No fraternising with the passengers, no smoking in passenger areas and NO BOOZE , because it is a ferry, not even a pint ashore during the 4/6 hour turn around, (the purser had a breathalyser). We did, however, find ways to enjoy ourselves. 
I had some of the most enjoyable times of my life on the Pride of Bilbao making real friends with people from all walks of life.

Regards, Dave

[Ballast]

Hi Stuart,
As you know, I worked on the Pride of Bilbao for two years, (not as deck crew), and what you say is right. No fraternising with the passengers, no smoking in passenger areas and NO BOOZE , because it is a ferry, not even a pint ashore during the 4/6 hour turn around, (the purser had a breathalyser). We did, however, find ways to enjoy ourselves. 


Regards, Dave

Nevermind Dave, in a few years no booze and no smoking will be normal on all vessels