How to join the Australian Merchant Navy

[Jimmy Shaw]

Wow! Thanks guys. Certainly a lot of information right there.

I will have a look at what you have given me, and try to work where to head. I am 16, so have a little time to think!

Thanks again,
Jim

[Jimmy Shaw]

....Or try the classical method of approaching every coaster (I'd like to join a coaster) in Port Brisbane and asking their Skipper if they have room aboard for a deckhand. Always start at the bottom!
What do you think?

Cheers,
Jim

[Doc Vernon]

Worth a try Jimmy and may just get you started on the Ladder!
Good luck!

[Jimmy Shaw]

I'm also very intent on eventually becoming a Radio Officer. I understand it is a dying trade, but I'd like to keep it alive. I have a love for the sea, but also a love for radios, morse code etc. I may consider doing a Radio Operators course, then joining a ship. Any advice on the Radio Officer career?

Thanks for being patient with my many questions.

Jim

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Jimmy
Radio Operators as you say is a dying breed,but if interested go for it and learn the Morse Code,who knows it may come in handy one day@
I was in the RAF and was a Wireless Operator ,I loved it and was pretty good too,passed with Flying Colours!
This was the RO Sleeve Badge in RAF


I don't know too much on the side of the Navy Fellows in Radio but I do know that in my Days they were bleedin fast,i thought the RAF was fast but the Navy chaps used the sidewinders and they were lightening fast!





We used the old Type Key. Something on this line


Cheers

[Jimmy Shaw]

Thanks Doc! We have a morse code 'tapper' (not connected) that I practice on often.
I'll check out the Radio Operator's courses, and let you know what I find, via PM.

Cheerio,
Jim

[Doc Vernon]

Here is one that looks pretty good to start you off! Online Free
Cheers
The Ham Whisperer: Morse Code Course


A Morse Trainer using the Koch method

[j.sabourn]

The only Morse your likely to hear these days is on the tv show Inspector Morse played by John Thaw.think the only operators would be on perhaps passenger liners. If still have are now called Electronic officers and come under the Engineroom Dept. The RN may still have ? Nearly all radio on merchant ships is by radio telephony or GMDSS and is done by the watchkeeper. Mountbatten although finished up as Admiral of The Fleet, started his naval career in communications. JWS

[Richard Quartermaine]

Jimmy, Here is a link to further whet your appetite. FLOTILLA AUSTRALIA . I was almost your age in January 1947 when I joined the British Merchant Navy in Sydney. I also did an 20 month stint on Australian ships. Never regretted it. Times are much different now but if I were as young as you I would do it all again.
Richard

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Jimmy.
Like many on here I went to sea just short of my 16th birthday in 1949, there were many sea schools in Britain in my time; and there are plenty on the site who went to them, 70,000 boys went through the sea school I attended, in around 30 years, that was at the time Britain had a Merchant Navy, in those days Australia built their own ships, and the Iron Boats were aplenty, there was even a passenger service around the coast, those days may come back if we get a decent Govt who will think of Australia. It was always my dream to go to sea and see the world. Follow your dream, even if it is so much different than it was in our days. Your idea of calling in on a coaster and asking for a berth is a good one, but you may still be sent to the Union before they can take you on. As for being a radio officer that was something that I aspired to; but every time I was available and not the other side of the world there were no openings, but now I'm afraid morse as John said is no longer in use.
You are young yet so keep trying and good luck.
Cheers Des PS image not wanted