How / Where do I start?

[Stephen Beard]

Cheers

[Red Lead Ted]

Thanks for all the leads, advice etc. I will be looking into them and have already sent numerous applications off.

Some of you seem to be commenting on how things aren't the same as when you joined up and that I may not know what I'm getting into - but that's bound to be the case. Change is a fact of life, but its hard to objectively quantify wether the state of the industry is better or worse now compared to when it was when you were at sea because the world is a very different place from when a lot of you joined up. I don't feel my age is an issue at all - I've gone the long way round but I've seen and experienced things my peers may not have so wether I'm "late" or not I still have my own contribution to make.

Just because the last 6 years of my life were not spent at sea doesn't mean I haven't learned or experienced anything of value.

Steve, If Costa Line { Costa Concordia } Can employ 30 and 40 yr old Peruvian Fishermen to work there passenger ships as deck ratings. Then you are certainly in with a shout go for it lad, What have you got to loose apart from a few quid in phone calls and stamps very best Regards
Terry.

[Keith at Tregenna]

just adding another thought for stephen.
Today i saw an ad. For a g.p.(general purpose) sailor on the serco website. Perhaps they run or sponsor trainee ratings.
Rgds
ja

ta: K

[Stephen Beard]

Well, Chiltern Maritime rejected me. Apparently because I didn't show enough interest in a career at sea, I phoned up and asked for feedback and they said it was because I wasn't in anything related to the sea (Ie. Sailing/Yachting) and the job I was in now was completely unrelated and that it shows I might change my mind again. Also that some of their applicants already have a lot of sea time.

You can't win! How am I supposed to go Yachting, I'm a working class guy in care work. I don't have access to a Yacht/Ship!

[Red Lead Ted]

Steve, If at first you don't succeed try and try again. None of the lads are being negative here Ste, The thing is there is no substitute for experience. Your age may well be your undoing, Most if not all on this forum were at Gravesend sea school or Vindi at the age of 16 I was myself, Any of us here in whatever department Deck/ Catering/ Engine room/ Or even On the bridge/ Could join any ship afloat today and within hours tick all the right boxes it is second nature to us all, As the ships challenges as in seamanship have been simplified. But you couldn't turn that coin over and say the same because the ships we worked were ran on articles laid down by the Board Of Trade. The tasks we took on myself Able Seaman todays seaman wouldn't no were to start. But that could be in your favour because todays crews don't need the skills we employed and the old B.O.T. Is no more around. Shipping companies today think that its safety in numbers. Not so as the likes of Costa Concordia proved. I have a very good friend who has just retired from Silver line he was chief engineer for 20 odd years with them I meet him every Sunday let me speak with him see what he thinks Silver line was a Norwegian outfit. Watch this space Regards Ste Terry.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Well, Chiltern Maritime rejected me. Apparently because I didn't show enough interest in a career at sea, I phoned up and asked for feedback and they said it was because I wasn't in anything related to the sea (Ie. Sailing/Yachting) and the job I was in now was completely unrelated and that it shows I might change my mind again. Also that some of their applicants already have a lot of sea time.

You can't win! How am I supposed to go Yachting, I'm a working class guy in care work. I don't have access to a Yacht/Ship!

Just keep trying, write to them again, extolling your love of the sea and your sailing ship experience, it's unfortunately perseverence, if turned down again, write in again, they'll probably admire your perseverence and relent. The road to success isn't easy, those who made it to the top had to face numerous set backs on occasions, but perseverance won the day. Regretfully despite what you may read about us oldies we didn't walk into a job. I started my sea life on distant water trawlers at 13 years old, imagine how hard that was getting accepted, at 15 I travelled from Hull to Liverpool on my own and turned up at ship owners offices unnannounced, but that got me noticed, but they wouldn't take me unless I got certain school grades by the time I was 16, which spurred me on, I wasn't going to let some school work stand in my way. It wasn't easy then, it's perhaps more difficult now but if your heart is in it, you'll get there come hell or high water.

[Keith Tindell]

Hi Steven, I have been following your post, and obviously you are getting good advice from a lot of good guys. What i noticed, and maybe others have missed?is the job you are doing now, let me hold my hands up straight away and say , i could not do that job, no way, my youngest son is a qualified nurse in that profession, and so i do have an idea on what you have to put up with. So, i think you would do well at sea, its really a case of pestering them until they are sick to death of hearing your voice, i`m sure you will do it, so the very best of luck from me mate KT

- - - Updated - - -

I meant to add to my last, keep in touch with us and let us know your progress KT

[Captain Kong]

Have you contacted Fleetwood college yet.?
You just cannot go to sea, unless you have some formal training. You will have to do a course in Seamanship or a Lifeboat Certificate / Survival Course.
That would show the Shipowner you mean business. You just cannot turn up on the deck of a ship without any training, Ships are dangerous places for the untrained and that also affects other mens lives.
Talk to the Careers Officer at Fleetwood College, attend the Open Day, put your name down for it, it will show you what to do and what you need.
You have had a lot of advice, now if you do not use it, then you will be in a shore job for the rest of your life.
Cheers
Brian.

[John Arton]

Stephen
Don't know if you saw my post regarding superyachts but it is certainly a way you could get into a sea career. Some of the smaller yachts may even take you on as a deck hand without any formal training.
If you search the internet for yacht crews you will come across a number of agencies who provide crews for yachts.
It may not be as interesting as a Merchant Navy career that is unless the teenage daughter of the multi million yacht's owner takes a shine to you) but it will certainly put you on the right course and you will get sea time.
I had a couple of yacht guys in one of my classes who were moving up and taking STCW tickets (RYA is the usual for yachts) and they seemed to have had a pretty decent life swanning around the Medi., San Tropez, Monte Carlo, etc. Pay and conditions were not too great but they reckoned the lifestyle more than made up for it. One guy on the course had the sole job of running the yachts tender when ever any guests wanted to go ashore.
rgds
JA

[robpage]

Stephen , if you are in care work I assume you work shifts . I don't know the current state of what runs up and down the rivers near you , but have you considered working for nothing in your time off , river boats , tug , fishing , if some one would take you for free , it would help your experience , also try the local yacht club , some old git might be happy to take a youngster out as crew free of charge , just to help , it may pad the CV