sea training school

[John Blaney]

After reading members posts re training schools am reminded of the fact that I skipped going to the school (I was in catering) and was sent to
my first ship from the poole in Glasgow , all I had was a union card, (N.U.S.), starting as cabin boy, although I actualy worked in the pantry, later, galley,
and learned what I needed from the Asst. stwds and pantryman.
My dillema, and question to members of the site who attended school is whether or not I suffered loss of cradibility all the time I was at sea,
I was not aware of this, but all these years later, I wonder, and would appreciate comments anyone, any dept., incl. senior members.
Never thought about it before, but your members posts made me aware. maybe something missing from my records.
Thanks

[Doc Vernon]

Hello John
Don't really think you actually missed any credibility so to speak,its only perhaps the fact that the ones who did go to some Training School or other may have had a little jump on you as far as experience (Training) goes,but once at Sea one learnt fast and just got on with the tasks at hand!
I too never went to what was known to most here as Sea Training School.i only had Catering Experience from working on the Soult African Railways as a Silver Stewrad mthe got lucky and secured a job at Sea as 1st Class Asst Stwd on the old Dunnottar Castle,and I may tell you was thrown in the deep end so to speak,but as said soon learnt my way around! A good learning curb would say!
Cheers

I am sure others will tell of their tales at Sea Training Schools!

[Ivan Cloherty]

John there will be many on here that wished they had missed sea training schools and gone straight to sea. As long as you enjoyed going to sea that is all that matters, I don't think missing sea school would have affected your career in any way what so ever, in fact it may have given you a head start.

[Lou Barron]

John even going to a training school there is nothing like the actual training you would get by going to sea first

[John Blaney]

Thank you gentlemen for replying to my concern re training schools, very re-assuring and much appreciated.
John b.

[Frederick Lacey]

hi John, When I joined the "Port Victor" beginning of 1950, I was told to forget all I'd learnt
at Sea School by the C/Steward, on here you will shown how to do it our way. Fred.

[Jim Brady]

Going to the sea school you were making a commitment that you were serious about going away to sea.Imagine if you could've just walked into the pool like the shoreside dole and asked for a job on a ship it would've been absolute chaos.The sea school certainly sorted lads out,some went missing during the night couldn't hack it so went home.We had a place here in Liverpool "Dicky Bonds" not residential home every night,learn waiting on and a bit in the kitchen.I found that the lads that went there were passenger ship material and only ever sailed on the Western Ocean.Some kids went on the Isle of Man boats and Irish boats serving fish and chips and ice cream,one season and down to the pool were they qualified for a book.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[John Arton]

I never went to a sea training school.
Went to the shipping federation on a Tuesday who organised some interviews with companies for me and sailed as a first trip deck cadet on Thursday of the same week. The next time I saw a "school" was 4 years later when after completing 36 months sea time I went to Shields College to study for 2nd Mates ticket.
Not going to a sea school certainly did me no harm and I was never looked down upon by those who had.
rgds
JA

[John Blaney]

further to my post re: training school, Freds comment cleared that up nicely, wish I had taken more formal training though,
but I still refer to myself as an ex merchant seaman.
Many thanks and regards to you all,
John B.

[Ivan Cloherty]

John you don't need any formal training to become a Merchant seaman, or an ex Merchant Seaman, the only qualification required is having served at sea, which you obviously have, so enjoy what you experienced, because I'm sure like most of us on here, we'd do it again given the opportunity and we could be transported back in time, and that Dolores in Havana keeps coming back to entice me.