First Impressions of Life at Sea
Cadet MacDara Breathnach; August, 2006
I joined the British Trader in Point Fortin in Trinidad on the 30 July. This is the third ship I have sailed on since I started my cadetship with BP. My previous ships have been the British Osprey and the British Serenity, an Aframax crude carrier and a product tanker; my third ship would be a gas carrier (LNG).
The day I joined the ship I had to get a launch as the ship was at anchor waiting to go to load. I firstly had to go through customs to check all my bags and then I was given permission to get on the launch. I always get very nervous when people are checking my bags, as I am always afraid that someone might have put something in it.
On the way out to the ship I was again amazed at the sheer size of the ship. This is the biggest ship i have been on yet. As I got on to the accommodation ladder I looked up and thought to myself that it was going to take me the best part of the day just to reach main deck level.
I trudged my way to the top of the ladder and I met the bosun and one of the crew who were having great difficulty in bringing my bag up, they even threatened to bring out a chain block to make it easier on themselves. I must admit it was a bit heavy, my mother put enough toiletries in my bag that would do about ten women, she might be trying to tell me something.
I dragged my bags inside and one of the crew decided that he was going to take my small bag, I however had to battle with the big bag but I made it eventually to the Cargo Control Room. I left my bags there and off I went to meet the Captain on the bridge.
After all the introductions the captain showed me to my cabin. I got my bags into my room and started unpacking. And as I got deeper into the bag I discovered that I had a spillage, a bottle of shampoo had burst in my bag, luckily it wasn’t too bad.
I spent the rest of the evening settling in and meeting everyone as I went along, nearly everyone found my name a little different so my name was shortened to “Mac” It makes no difference as i have been called a lot worse in my time.
My first day at work was the following morning and we were launching both the lifeboats. I'd never been in a davit launch lifeboat before so it was a first for me. I was a little nervous but once I got in all the nerves disappeared. The boat was swung out and it seemed to take until we hit the water. It’s a long way down and it feels even worse when you’re on your way up.
I've been working on day work so far and I am enjoying it a lot. My first week has been great and I hope the rest of the trip is even half as good as the first week.