Re: Sea Stories - Training At Sea

Capt. Derek C. Kruger (M.M.) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:21:13 -0000

John, I started out 45 yrs ago on tankers as a training O.S. and did my time there until I was tested for O.S. & later as an A.B. on cargo ships. During this time I kept learning the art of seamenship from others, as well as teaching myself to do better. Some years later having sailed Nationally and Internationally I decided to write for my third mate's license . Having obtained this I never stopped there and now hold a Master Mariner's Certificate/License.

Today as a ship's master I have come to see the good, fair, poor, and "God, what the hell is he or she doing here aboard this ship". Yes, the art of seamenship is a dying art that does not only affect unlicensed seamen. It affects some of the deck and engineering officer's that I have come across during my career at sea. These mariner's I am speaking about are not just what you see Nationally, but Internationally as well makes me wonder who let these people get on board the ships. (The Company & Manning Agencies)

When it comes to working with these good folks, you are told by the company that you are not here to re-invent the word "seamenship". Just work with what we give you !! My response to this type of comment is. " What happens if something horribly goes wrong while having to put up with someone that does not know the first thing about loading stresses. Or causes a major marine incident that ends up costing the company and the P&I Club one hell of a lot of money, not to mention Corporate Reputation". All because of the lack of experience that some mariner's should have gained over the course of time, or the shore side hiring practices used.

Comments most generally made by the company should this happen is; "Well Captain you should have know better than to give them that job " !!

To complain about these in-experienced officer's or crew (deck or engine) not being able to do the work assigned to them. If you say anything then you put your own job/position on the line. Very few companies or agencies will never accept their own short comings, when placing crew's on board. Therefore it is always the Captains fault, or so it seems.

The important thing to remember here is that there's some who are prepared to learn regardless. While there are others that think that they know more then you!! Then there are those that are here only for a pay cheque and don't mind it if you know it or not. So if the Company or the Agencies that hired them don't care, then why should you care !!

As a professional l mariner spanning a period of 45 years at sea, I still or do care and it is sad to see it come to this !!

Captain Derek C. Kruger
Master Mariner

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Re: Sea Stories - Training At Sea