………I think this is great time for new entrants to BP Shipping, and for older hands alike. The company has a great assortment of ship types and sizes now, and offers a varied career, whether on coasting ships or deep sea, whether on crude carriers, oil products tankers or gas carriers. There are great opportunities open to sea staff now; for any career-minded person willing to work hard and choose well, the sky is the limit.
Although in recent times most of my experience has been on gas ships, I’ve always made it plain to the planners that I want to be seen as flexible to serve on oil tankers as well. Variety is the secret, and a change really is as good as a rest. Earlier this year, I did some time on one of the medium-sized crude carriers and that took me to Brisbane in Australia, where I had not been for years, and to New Plymouth in New Zealand where I had never been before.
Sometimes people ask me if it ever gets monotonous being in the same job after a few years, but I find every day is different. You are dealing with people and that’s what makes it interesting. Also, the weather and tides never stay the same, so even running to the same ports offers different experiences each time.
I hope I’m seen as approachable by the people who sail with me. Ships are run differently nowadays and everyone on board is a stakeholder in the safe and successful outcome of every voyage. Ships can’t be run the way they were thirty or forty years ago where the captain might have been unapproachable and the rank system was more formal. Captains are still wholly accountable for everything that happens on board, but you can only run a successful and happy ship through teamwork, and everyone in the team must know that they have a voice and that they’ll be listened to.
Just now we are running on long voyages on
British Trader. This means long periods at sea, which is great for setting up routines and staying on top of never-ending maintenance and never-ending paperwork. Our last port was Point Fortin in Trinidad on 21st July and we’re on our way to Sakai in Japan again to discharge the cargo. We won’t reach Japan till 28th August.
I expect to be with
British Trader for at least four voyages before I’m rotated to another ship. I’m looking forward to the rest of my time here.
Latest despatch from British Trader