Becoming an ordinary seaman when one's inexperienced

[Captain Kong]

That's about the most stupid thing I've read in awhile. First off, no one takes to the sea unless they want to get paid to travel; that's why all of us got into this line of work. In fact, if you DIDN'T yearn to see the world and get paid doing it, I'd say you're in the wrong industry. Go get a job on a loading dock or something... Secondly, the other comments about his experience are equally stupid. Just what do you think an Ordinary Seaman is? It's someone who is inexperienced and looking to gain experience, which is why there are no tests or time requirements to get the credential. They do the grunt work, clean the ship, do basic maintenance and on every ship I've worked on, they were much appreciated for their hard work and because without the OS handling the menial tasks of the ship, the rest of the crew would have to. And besides, if you're gonna sit there and tell us you weren't ever equally inexperienced, you're a liar. We all start out the same way, green as hell.
jameyson

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Jameyson
I think that is more than a little insulting to say what you just posted. calling me a Liar, If I was on a ship with you I would have taken you out on deck in one second and filled you in.
I did 45 Years at sea, Deck Boy to Master. how many did you do???
I don't know what kind of ships you have sailed on, or if you have any kind of experience, doesn't sound like much.
But the British Ordinary Seaman was an excellent Seaman and well trained. In my case I did four years as a Sea Cadet, 12 to 16 years of age, I knew Seamanship . Then Three months in a Sea Training School, learning more Seamanship.
First trip on a London Greek Tramp out east, as a Deck Boy, cleaning accommodation and working on deck with the Ordinary Seamen and ABs.

Second trip, Joined as Ordinary Seaman, made up AB then went down below as a Coal Burning Fireman, 4 hours on 4 hours off, throwing a pitch on, rake and slice, keep her on the blood, do your own trimming, I guess you have never done that, a wonderful experience and all while I was 17 years old.
Then at 18 I went to EDH School and Lifeboat School and got both Certificates. Sailed as EDH and then when I got my sea time in was an AB.
After a few years I went to College and got all my Certificates up to Master. Did you do that Jameyson???If Not Why Not, because you seem to think you are a good Seaman.
Give us a little of your Seafaring Background if you have any because a good Seaman would not talk a load of crap you have just come out with. Obviously no idea what you are talking about.
Cheers
Brian

[Captain Kong]

Jameyson
I have just looked at your Profile, you are only 19 years old and you are trying to tell me all about my Profession, Just a typical big loud mouth yank. More mouth than brains and experience. I have spent more time on one wave that you have at sea. You would not survive on some of the ships I have sailed on.
Go away little baby boy don't bother posting again.
Brian

[gray_marian]

#69. John A, you'll have a long wait, Blue Whale has not been on site since 2011.

[Brian Charles Williams]

Is Blue whale winding everyone up ? If he is, seems to have worked !!..............Keep smiling...Brian W.

[j.sabourn]

#46 Agree with you Brian. Some of them were genuine, but I changed my mind when one individual refused to go over the side on a stage, also refused to go aloft, said he wasn't qualified to do so, yet he was quite qualified to take 10 bob a month less than an ABs rate. They were supposedly ex forces people and that was the excuse they were brought in, as mature students might say. I doubt if the sarcastic person looking for answers has ever seen a blue whale, and ever will. He is typical of some that came to sea, and on the bridge as well who under normal circumstances wouldn't carry as ballast. One of the reasons why I looked forward to retirement. Most people on this site do not really realize what the British Merchant Service detiorated to. Blue Whale being a fine example of this. Best thing just ignore him, bad smells usually disappear. Cheers JWS

[happy daze john in oz]

Silly me, there I was thinking becoming an ordinary seaman and getting experience was doing the rounds of the bars and getting ones leg over in some far away place. Must have gopt it wrong.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Had Blue whale commenced what he started the post about 5 years ago, he may be at sea ?

K.

[j.sabourn]

#77 They usually migrate North during the breeding season together with the Humpbacks Keith. There have been various sightings and groundings of some as they migrate south again just now. Probably going aground as they get in close inshore to try and listen in on the ABC or BBC about whats happening with climate change. Cheers JS

[j.sabourn]

#76... One of the questions I asked myself from the self Examiner and answered of a sort Q. What is an AB under 1952 Regulations. A holder of a cert. of Competency issued by the MOT. Q. A vessel requires to have 5 ABs or EDHs, only 4 can be acquired, how can ship be manned. Answr. By the inclusion of 1, 4th. year apprentice or 1 senior Ordinary Seaman, to comply to manning scale. This was in 1963 again, what it is today, don't know and don't really care, but whatever it is, is bound to be less than what it was then, as have had an exercise in de-manning going on since the middle 70"s. The manning scale varied from ship to ship, but may have been say 5 ABs, 2 Senior Ordinary Seamen, 2 Junior Ordinary seamen, 2 Deck boys. Usually on trampships there were 4 Apprentices and these could and were often classed in the manning scale as Ordinary Seamen or ABs depending on their sea service, there were no flies on the shipowner. Not forgetting the inclusion of the Bosun who was classed as one of the ABs if necessary, think the Carpenter may have also been on the manning scale then, today he is not. JS

[j.sabourn]

The DHU had no signifigance on the manning scale then if I remember rightly, it was a kick in the gut as the ordinary seamen had to do their job for them if they fell back on the adage they were inexperienced whilst getting more money than an S.O.S. was in retrospect a stupid rating with no future to, unless the person involved showed any aptitude to the profession. Some did and were better for it, those who wanted an easy ride should not have been there, it was like throwing the cat among the pigeons. Just another stupid law made up by a stupid politician sitting in a department he knew nothing about. For those who sailed in Elder Dempsters, I believe it was their policy to send all their 3rd year apprentices up for an EDH certificate, I was told this by an ex EDs apprentice about 63 years ago. Cheers JS