Becoming an ordinary seaman when one's inexperienced

[blue whale]

Hello,

I am interested in becoming an ordinary seaman but I am totally inexperienced and do not possess any degree/certificate regarding seafaring; also, I am almost 26 and because I want to complicate things a bit more, I am not British but remain continental [I do possess higher education degrees, if that helps ].

SO after some digging over IP, I have found that the Yankee term for OS in the UK is actually Deck rating grade 2 and that :
successful completion of the approved basic training - in this case they must also hold a navigational watch rating certificate
an efficient deck hand certificate
a level 2 vocational qualification in marine vessel operation, in which case they must obtain a watch rating certificate within one month of joining the vessel
are required; which sucks.

Is there any way whatsoever to bypass these mandatory certificates and just get enrolled on a ship ?

And no, I do not wish to come back to my old country.

[Gulliver]

Hello,

I am interested in becoming an ordinary seaman but I am totally inexperienced and do not possess any degree/certificate regarding seafaring; also, I am almost 26 and because I want to complicate things a bit more, I am not British but remain continental [
I do possess higher education degrees, if that helps ].

SO after some digging over IP, I have found that the Yankee term for OS in the UK is actually Deck rating grade 2 and that :
successful completion of the approved basic training - in this case they must also hold a navigational watch rating certificate
an efficient deck hand certificate
a level 2 vocational qualification in marine vessel operation, in which case they must obtain a watch rating certificate within one month of joining the vessel
are required; which sucks.

Is there any way whatsoever to bypass these mandatory certificates and just get enrolled on a ship ?

And no, I do not wish to come back to my old country.

Sorry,can't help you........

[John Callon]

Reading your comments I would think you would be a liability on any ship. I can't help you either.

[Captain Kong]

It sounds to me that you just want a free ride around the world with pay.
Why not pay and go on a cruise ship.

[Keith Tindell]

Hi Shipmates,
I wonder how many come in the back door to go to sea, gone are the old days, 12 weeks training, just to go to sea as a peggy, and go on from there. That was 12 weeks training without any pay, one of the conditions at Gravesend was you had to have a small stash of money for your pocket on joining. I suspect other sea schools were the same. catering staff did 6 weeks if i recall correctly. That was one of the reasons we were proud of ourselves, we were skilled seamen. Its a shame some people seem to think the training requirements *suck* Regards to all seamen Keith Tindell

[Ivan Cloherty]

Hello,

I am interested in becoming an ordinary seaman but I am totally inexperienced and do not possess any degree/certificate regarding seafaring; also, I am almost 26 and because I want to complicate things a bit more, I am not British but remain continental [I do possess higher education degrees, if that helps ].

SO after some digging over IP, I have found that the Yankee term for OS in the UK is actually Deck rating grade 2 and that :
successful completion of the approved basic training - in this case they must also hold a navigational watch rating certificate
an efficient deck hand certificate
a level 2 vocational qualification in marine vessel operation, in which case they must obtain a watch rating certificate within one month of joining the vessel
are required; which sucks.

Is there any way whatsoever to bypass these mandatory certificates and just get enrolled on a ship ?

And no, I do not wish to come back to my old country.

Well Blue Whale as you can see from the responses on this site you will only get harpooned if staying on it.

Your apparent assumption that you can become a proficient seaman without training is an insult to all those who follow the correct path. Suggest a beachcomber may be an appropriate career choice for you, as apparently no training is needed.

[Captain Kong]

The usual pattern of training when I was a lad , was 12 weeks at the VindIcatrix or Gravesend etc. sail as Deck Boy for one year, sail as Junior Ordinary Seaman for one year and one year as Senior Ordinary Seaman, then Go to Lifeboat School for one week, pass Lifeboat examination then One week in Efficient Deck Hand School, then pass Examination then sail as an EDH for FOUR YEARS to become an Able Seaman.
SEVEN YEARS IN ALL. TO BE AN AB.
.
Now Mr Blue Whale wants to skip all mandatory Certification to be a Seaman.
To be a SEAMAN is an honour that has to be earned.

[John Albert Evans]

Hello,

I am interested in becoming an ordinary seaman but I am totally inexperienced and do not possess any degree/certificate regarding seafaring; also, I am almost 26 and because I want to complicate things a bit more, I am not British but remain continental [I do possess higher education degrees, if that helps ].

SO after some digging over IP, I have found that the Yankee term for OS in the UK is actually Deck rating grade 2 and that :
successful completion of the approved basic training - in this case they must also hold a navigational watch rating certificate
an efficient deck hand certificate
a level 2 vocational qualification in marine vessel operation, in which case they must obtain a watch rating certificate within one month of joining the vessel
are required; which sucks.

Is there any way whatsoever to bypass these mandatory certificates and just get enrolled on a ship ?

And no, I do not wish to come back to my old country.

Blue Whale

Having red and re-read your above letter the only thing that comes to my mind is that your are trying to extract the Michael.
At 26 years of age what on earth have you been doing since your 16th birthday, which is the age most seamen on this site started their career, whichever department they chose to serve in.
With your attitude I would love to be a fly on the wall when you step off the gangway onto your first ship and you meet a 25 years veteran hairy a***d Bosun in a bad mood and you explain to him the comments in your second paragraph, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum it would not be.
By the way which country is it you do not want to go back to.

John Albert Evans.

[Tony Morcom]

how bl00dy offensive is that: coming on here wanting to follow in our footsteps but not wanting to do any training. If he ever gets as far as a ship any half decent Bosun will have him for breakfast!

[Captain Kong]

With a stupid attitude like that, would any Seaman like to have him as a partner up aloft, in a Firefight would you have him in the fire party,? When going out in the Emergency boat in the Western Ocean to search for a passenger or crew member who has been swept overboard in the storm, would you have him in your boat.?
Your life depends so many times on the Professionalism of your mate.
.
Mr Blue Whale, you would be better of with your rubber duck in the bath, blowing bubbles.
Cheers
Brian.