EXPERIENCE ON BOARD

                                  GOOD VS BAD

The life aboard a merchant ship is really a unique and unforgettable experience, very difficult to compare to a land job.

Few jobs offer the chance to see so many places in the world, exotic views and meet so many people from so different countries. Obviously, after such experience, you´ll become a well-rounded and worldly person, and get a better understanding about global problems, people from around the world and their culture and way of life.

Nevertheless, it must be considered that this activity connotes some problems and difficulties, to which applicants must pay attention, and requires doubtless a genuine interest.

In this way, if one gets sea-sick on board, a career in the merchant navy wouldn´t be a good option. Applicants have to be calm and composed persons and not disposed to panic in the case of engine failure, adverse climatological conditions or even severe storms. Likewise, working days are very extensive (8-14 hours a day and 7 days a week) and shifts can be irregular. Finally, this sort of job means long periods in extreme confinement and away from home, friends and relationships.

These conditions can be really stressing. Here I will be sharing some of my good and bad experiences onboard.

GOOD 

The good part is that I get to work practically and I get to observe and do things on my own. Onboard

ship I had to do my own work which has made me into an independent person. I get to do

watchkeeping on my own which made me to build up my confidence. In addition, I travelled from

East to West and I crossed the Meridian whereby all the Seafarers would celebrate this unforgettable

event. I get to mix with people from other countries and I managed to understand their cultures as

well. These are the some of the good experiences that I have had onboard vessel.

bad

now, I am going to share some of my bad experience onboard vessel. First of all, the food onboard

was really bad and I literally ate white rice and fried egg for 9 months. On my 2nd vessel I had a

Ukranian captain and I did not enjoy my one month seatime with  him. Sea sick was another worry. I

suffered sea sick for two days whereby I vomited and felt dizziness throughout that two days. Away

from home, family and everything was an obstacle for me to get rid with. I did miss a lot of festival.