Any Advice on Joining the Merchant Navy?

MvN

Does anyone have advice on the best way to go about finding work in Ireland as a rating in the merchant navy? By this time next year I should have an undergraduate degree (unrelated to maritime stuff, however) and although I'm not an Irish citisen I do have EU work permits and I'm a resident. Not sure if any of that makes a difference.

I've heard that some guys end up having to do 3-4 year college courses, and I'm wondering if this is the only way in or if there alternatives.

long range shooter

MvN wrote: »

Does anyone have advice on the best way to go about finding work in Ireland as a rating in the merchant navy? By this time next year I should have an undergraduate degree (unrelated to maritime stuff, however) and although I'm not an Irish citisen I do have EU work permits and I'm a resident. Not sure if any of that makes a difference.

I've heard that some guys end up having to do 3-4 year college courses, and I'm wondering if this is the only way in or if there alternatives.

fishing boat

bladebrew

There is a short course in the National Maritime college, it appears to give a very basic qualification though, other than that it seems to be 3 years in Engineering or Nautical science, I was in first year Engineering years ago it was just a **** load of maths and feck all practical stuff so I struggled a lot and dropped out,
I know a guy who qualified and was working on a chemical tanker, I asked him do you use any of the things you study in college and he said no!
I had looked at working on trawler but it seems to be remarkably dangerous for very bad pay,

MvN

The maths has definitely been putting me off looking at some of the college courses. I'll look up that thing at the National Maritime college, though. Fishing work is an option, but I've been finding it difficult to find a skipper who'll take me on with my limited experience. I've tried finding unpaid work just to get the experience, but even that seems tough to come by if you don't know someone.

Thanks for the reply.

323

What degree are you doing at the moment, OP ?

MvN

It's a Communications degree. Radio/TV stuff mostly.

scotlad

I'll wade into this thread as it's being something I've been thinking of aswell, what about joining up with an Electrical Eng degree and an Electrical trade qualification. What sort of positions could you fit into with the minimal amount of re-training?

Tabnabs

scotlad wrote: »

I'll wade into this thread as it's being something I've been thinking of aswell, what about joining up with an Electrical Eng degree and an Electrical trade qualification. What sort of positions could you fit into with the minimal amount of re-training?

Most ships will have either a dedicated or access to an ETO (Electrical Technical Officer). But, AFAIK, you go down the same route as the marine engineers, but specialise in the electrical side? With those skills, a career in the offshore oil industry may be more applicable.

eg http://www.trinityhousetraining.org/study_options/electro_technical_officer.html

Stovepipe

If what you want to be is a deckhand or some kind of non-tech rating, then ask the NMCI. I think getting a start as a fishing boat hand or as a deckhand on a small ferry or inshore boat is probably not going to happen unless you have contacts. You may even have to go to the UK for basic training as they'd have a much bigger marine industry. You could consider dockyard work or chandlery/marine suppliers. I was in oil and gas for two years and they are always looking for hands and there are several firms in the UK who specialise in manning the oil/gas industry. They would probably want you to fund or have certs for the basics such as SAFEPASS or Dunker courses. A good skill to have is crane driving and crane maintenance, as rigs and rig boats have loads of cranes and need skilled ment o drive them and service them. Diesel maintenance experience would also help, either for static diesel or motor diesel.

regards
Stovepipe

323

scotlad wrote: »

I'll wade into this thread as it's being something I've been thinking of aswell, what about joining up with an Electrical Eng degree and an Electrical trade qualification. What sort of positions could you fit into with the minimal amount of re-training?

Hi scotlad.
Tabnabs is spot on, ETO training , HND or Degree is a wide ranging combined engineering course. So mean back to college for a bit although you'd probably be credited/excused quite a few of the modules. I went the RO/ETO route originally, then moved to the offshore/subsea business years ago.

With your electrical trade background and degree. There are a huge variety of positions open to you across the offshore energy, oil/gas/renewables industry's. Whole industry is flat out and all screaming out for people at the moment.

scotlad

323 wrote: »

Hi scotlad.
Tabnabs is spot on, ETO training , HND or Degree is a wide ranging combined engineering course. So mean back to college for a bit although you'd probably be credited/excused quite a few of the modules. I went the RO/ETO route originally, then moved to the offshore/subsea business years ago.

With your electrical trade background and degree. There are a huge variety of positions open to you across the offshore energy, oil/gas/renewables industry's. Whole industry is flat out and all screaming out for people at the moment.

Thanks for the replies I came across Trinity House before in their role in Marine Navigation but I never realized they done training aswell, my only concern with the above course is that it seems quiet basic content wise compared to the course I've just finished. I'll give them a call anyway and see what they say,

@323 what would your lifestyle be like at the moment work wise? PM if you wish!

MvN

Thanks for the information, Stovepipe. I've been looking through the NMCI website and it seems like they've got quite a bit to offer. Ideally I'd be hoping to get in to something like that, rather than having to move overseas for study (money's always a concern) but if nothing else was available then I'd be willing to give it a shot. Would you have any institutions in the UK to recommend if I did have to look over there?

Stovepipe

Hi there,
My info would be well out of date by now but you'd probably have to do a Dunker course and a Life boat course, as these are compulsory for the North sea and probably other oil fields. When I was at it, different countries would not recognise each others certs for what would be standard industry courses, but I'd imagine by now that all such courses have EU standards. I worked for a subsidiary of an American company and they did all their own in-house stuff on their turbines and pumps and so on and their own Health and safety courses. I'd say you'd have to start looking around the traditional places like Aberdeen for offshore courses. As it happened, a lot of ads for workers were placed in the Sun newspaper every Thursday and it was a must read, especially for scaffolders, riggers, diesel fitters, welders, deck(I mean oil rig)hands and so on, by agencies. Apart from that, if you want to stay local, you might see if there are any openings at some of the small boatyards, even if it's only very basic stuff, just to get a look in.

regards
Stovepipe

MvN

Thanks very much Stovepipe. That's some very helpful advice and I'll definitely remember your suggestions when I'm looking for work/training opportunities.