How to join the Australian Merchant Navy

[Jimmy Shaw]

Hello Chaps,

I'm 16 and I'm wanting to know how to go about joining the Australian Merchant Navy. How do I sign up?

I'm interested in signing on as a Deck Rating, with ambitions to becoming a Deck Officer. Being in the Merchant Navy, would I get randomly posted to a tanker that belongs to Shell or a freighter that belongs to such an' such (an example) or something like that? I'm not really sure how to say it Are there specific Merchant Navy vessels, or are we distributed amongst ships. Do all civil sailors go through the Merchant Navy?

Thanks in advance for answering my many questions!

Cheers,
Jimmy

[j.sabourn]

Hi Jimmy approach your nearest branch maritime union office and ask the same question. All employment on Australian managed or owned ships used to be through them. If has changed they will know. Regards JS...

[Doc Vernon]

Try this Jimmy
It is I am sure something that you may be able to persue!
Cheers

https://www.2imu.com/australian-deck-cadet-admission/

Also go through this Link .
Make sure you check up on everything though before you take any steps!

Australian Maritime Officers Union - Links

Study - Australian Maritime College - University of Tasmania, Australia

[Doc Vernon]

Just some good info on the Merchant Navy
Read it all and take it all in Jimmy

https://www.marineinsight.com/career...merchant-navy/


Another site that will help

https://nationalcareersservice.direc...y-deck-officer

[j.sabourn]

[/I]When I left Australian managed ships all the deck crowds ABs or whatever, were being put through a 6 month course to make them similar to the GP system of the UK. Where they could work in any department on the ship. They were also taught how to keep Radar watches and similar. This was all paid for by the Seaman’s Union. The first 6 months as a trainee you were on 50 percent of a fully fledged general purpose ratiing. However that is going back to 2002.simce then conditions have deteriorated by what I can gather from listening to others I know who still pursue a seagoing career. The last one I spoke to he was AB with me on the coast, chose to do most of his swing cooking, and went up for one of these watchkeeping certificates And was. Second mate on one of the coastal shore watch vessel turning back the boats. His son wanted to go to sea also and he was a time served plumber by trade and wrote a letter for him to the Union to his good character. However he changed his mind probably because of his father, who has given the job away now and runs his own small business. As they say things aren’t what they used to be. Get advice from someone still in the industry. And don’t think going to sea is all glamour or you will be disappointed. Best of luck regardless. Believe all the necessary courses are run from the College in Launceston. Whether the union still sponsors don’t know. JS

[j.sabourn]

#4... looking at those brochures Vernon it makes me want to go into mourning for the British Merchant Navy. It’s hard to belief we were once that gullible to believe such. Watchkeeping 4 on and 8 off went a long time ago in my experience, the wages quoted are more in line with film stars or professional ball players. What has height got to do with an engineer.? Maybe smaller is more beautiful so they can be first into the scavenge spaces. I have a 16 year old grandson who I hope is destined for higher things than going to sea in today’s shipping, if he ever gets the urge to go to sea and asks me for advice, I don’t know how I would reply. Was alright for me and many others as was one of the main industries of the time together with fishing, coal mining, shipbuilding etc. all gone today given away for suspicious political reasons. The advertising literature shows mainly foreign nationals, this is what we have arrived at. All we need today is a new flag to sail under maybe the rainbow one would do, and could register the ships in Sydney NSW. I hope the young fellow doesn’t jump in with both feet without considering the future as has years ahead of him yet. My attitude to the shipowner is he was quick to get rid of long time company servants so those that can remember won’t be too worried about his shortage of trained seafarers, he can go and recruit where he will do when it suits him in the likes of Burma when the time suits him and continue his own idea of wages and conditions, my heart bleeds for him ?? JWS

[cappy]

###can only think if what i read about todays MN in the UK and OZ is anywhere near the truth .......one trip for me would have been one trip too many but... as the difference between the sailing ship men and our generation of the 50s etc.we did not know any difference......so to the young man who wishes to make a go of it ...all the best ...it may suit todays generation ....follow your star .....cappy

[happy daze john in oz]

John, from what I now hear and know the Australian Seaman's union is all but done.
It has so few members it has amalgamated with the CFMEU to continue existence.
Closed shops at sea are not what they were and the CFMEU is about the only union left that still operates the closed shop.

[Jim Brady]

I think that the RFA would be a good opening for a young man/girl.
Regards.
Jim.B.
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/rfa

[j.sabourn]

Just an added bit for Jimmy. The correct title for an all round rating in Australia is an I.R. Stands for integrated rating and is similar to a G.P. General purpose of the British side of the Industry. Depending on what type of shipping you go into, you will have to do various course certificates. E,g. HUET, Basic Sea Survival, First Aid, Helicopter Landing Officer, FRC, plus others depending on trade of vessel. Therefore is best you have a sponsor as these courses can be expensive. Best of luck. JWS.