Master's license

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[wisemenkom]

All,

Just to throw mine into the ring. I hold a U.S. Master 1600 ton oceans license.  I'm retired now, but went to sea for over 24-years.

Kevin

What kind of vessels did you sail on?

[nhseacaptain]

wisemenkom,

  I sailed on several diferent types of vessels through my career. 

   1. Coastal Tugs about 140 feet.
   2. Freighters between 150 to 332 feet.
   3. Small passenger ships arou 200 feet.

 Most of my work was in the Atlantic and Caribbean, but I did make several trips in the Pacific with some Panama Canal transits.  I also captained several survey/research ships.

Kevin

[wisemenkom]

wisemenkom,

  I sailed on several diferent types of vessels through my career. 

   1. Coastal Tugs about 140 feet.
   2. Freighters between 150 to 332 feet.
   3. Small passenger ships arou 200 feet.

 Most of my work was in the Atlantic and Caribbean, but I did make several trips in the Pacific with some Panama Canal transits.  I also captained several survey/research ships.

Seems you've had a very interesting career. Thanks for sharing!

Kevin

[nhseacaptain]

I loved every minute of it.  Well there were some times that I wasnt real happy when they were happening, but the only thing I would change is to get off this beach and get to sea agan. 

Kevin

[wisemenkom]

Yeah. There's nothing like being at sea. Especially at night. I remember my first night at sea. It was something I can never forget. The night sky like most have never seen. The stars were so bright. It felt as if we were in space. It was amazing!

[Cobrattack]

I don't hold any licenses,,,, yet,, but I have served 12 years in the US Navy and am seriously considering working towards a 2nd career at sea (since in 12 years I've never actually gone out to sea for any extended periods of time yet due to my being a military K-9 Cop).  Which is probably going to change here next year.  SO I guess there's the 2nd part for this post, how many of us are serving or have served in their Countries Navy?  And if so how much time spent at sea??

[nhseacaptain]

Amen to that Brother!  Being at sea on a clear night was just unbelievable.   My years as 3rd Mate standing the 12-4 watch were some very good years.  The only problem was my sleep rhythm was all screwed up by the time I returned home.  When we were in warmer waters I used to love looking at the glowing phosphorescent lights in the water as our hull disturbed the sea.  We used to call them the stars in the water.

Here is a question.  This is for anyone who reads this.  Other than being Captain, what was your favorite duty position while serving aboard?  Yes, positions in the engine department are allowed. 

Mine would have to be 2nd Mate.  In that position I filled the traditional role as navigation officer, with all its intricacies.  I was responsible for obtaining morning and evening stars, plus a myriad of other navigation tasks.  The ability to do Celestial navigation is, I believe, one of the things that sets sailors apart from the rest of the world.  I still keep in practice today and on the odd time when I am on a long voyage, I use it to verify the black box we call GPS.  Back when I was in practice, I could easily position the ship within a mile at sea.  In today’s GPS world that may sound bad, but remember, you can’t measure anything less than about 2-miles on an ocean chart.  We also did not have a radio officer for most of my time so I also filled that role.  The funny thing was that on particularly long passages I was the only person that knew what day of the week we were in at any given time.

Well enough rambling on my part.  I can't wait to see the answers.  I might post this elsewhere as a new thread if the responses are low.

Kevin.

[Traddles]

Hi Kevin,
There is obviously a difference between UK & US 2nd Mates duties. I too enjoyed the post of 2nd Mate. On the 12 to 4 watch in the afternoon the other mates and the Old Man were resting and at night they were all asleep. Peace reigned . However the Mate used to take the star sights AM & PM, twilight being usually on the 4 to 8 watch. I was responsible for keeping the charts corrected from Notices to Mariners and for noon, AM & PM sun sights. Also for producing the homeward bound cargo plans which were sent off to the Company HQ on departure from last port of loading. The ships I sailed on in the 1950's had no radar, no gyro compasses, and no Auto pilot. As to GPS, it wasn't even heard of. Sextant and chronometer was the sum total of navigation equipment. A bit horrible in Fog though

Angus.

[nhseacaptain]

Angus,

   That truely was one of the joys of 3rd-Mate life.  The 12-4 watch when all were asleep including the Captain (especially)  .  Sounds like my 3rd and your 2nd were pretty similar.  I was also the medical officer during my 3rd time.  I had to give many a poor soul shots, in the arm and the starboard quarter.  .  Thanks for the reply.

Kevin

[TerryRussell]

Evening, chaps.

Although not professional sea-going qualifications (barred to me because of my lifelong diabetes), I hold an Ocean-going Yachtmaster's Certificate plus Day Skipper Certificate and Costal Skipper Certificate (Royal Yachting Association). Plus the radio license gubbins. I still put in 200-300 hours at sea each year in the local waters (typically between Eastbourne => Poole => Alderney C.I.)

Can I squeeze in with that, please? Oh, go on.... I promise to berate some politicians if you let me join the club!

I have also stood a few turns on the helm of lifeboats, although now a long way past being classed as fit and able,(not that I ever was, officially). I still rescue half a dozen damned fools from the seas here each year, when they drag their motor boats 100 miles to get here, chuck 'em down the ramp at the beach and then fail to start their engine in a 6 knot rip tide around Selsey Bill (by then on their way to France). It's a fun way to spend a weekend when the weather's good. I love catching them about 5-8 miles out and drawing up and telling them I'm claiming salvage! Heh heh.

[andylavies]

Hi wisemenkom,
I got a British Foreign Going Masters ticket in 1967, moved into ferries and served as Master for 39 years. I'm retired now, of course.
Andy Lavies

[wisemenkom]

Hi Andy,

Another seasoned mariner. Thanks for the response.

[dharl]

Yes my best position on ship was sailing as 2/0 on British Ships.   12-4 morning watch is hard work but worth it for the peace of the night while in the afternoon all the senior officers have a nap!   Being the ships Navigation Officer was a really satisfaying position and i really enjoyed it!   3/0 Job was hard work as still really settling in, as well as being the safety officer, a dirty job on occaions, while I also sailed as ChOff which i enjoyed, though it was a lot of hard work being the ships General Manager.   Has all stood me in good for my second carear as a Cargo Super!

Most of the time i get to sail for leasure these days, on yachts along the South Coast so will keep an eye out for you Terry!! 

[marcstrat]

Greetings,
This is an examination interview.Here is the story!

The examinator(Captain),ask to his student-captain.Your ship runs into some strong wind,and you're no longer making progress,What would you do??
Student answers:Drop my anchor.Very good says the examinator.
No the wind gets more stronger,what would you do than.Answer of the student:Drop my sencond answer.
Well,the examinator(captain) is impressed by this answer.
Now the wind gets allot more stronger,how would you react than?Student is thinking ,and says:drop my stern-anchor!
Waouw,is the reaction of the examinator.
Now the last question,the wind has gone to hurricaneforce,what now??
Simple sais the student:drop my 4th anchor
Examinator ask,were did you get a 4th anchor
Answer of the student:Were you found your wind
Marc

[webhead1015]

Assuming you live on the east coast these are the best listed as below:

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy www.usmma.edu/

Massachusetts Maritime Academy www.maritime.edu/

Maine Maritime Academy www.mainemaritime.edu/

Suny Maritime Academy www.sunymaritime.edu/

Assuming you live on the west coast there is only one widely known for producing the best officers:

California Maritime Academy www.csum.edu/

You forgot the Texas Maritime Academy:  http://www.tamug.edu/corps/

Also, I'm currently a student at SUNY Maritime, really enjoying it... if anybody wants info on possibly coming here, let me know.

[wisemenkom]

Hey Z-Capt Thanks for the reply!

[nhseacaptain]

Hey  Z-Capt,

   Is the Pipeline bar still rockin' up there?


Kevin