The Deck Cadet | Life at Sea | Seaman Vlog

Summary

This video delves into the journey of a deck cadet aboard a merchant marine ship, highlighting the challenges and experiences faced by those aspiring to become officers. The cadet, Kevin, shares his personal story, including the struggles of homesickness, balancing work and study, and receiving mentorship from experienced officers. Through on-the-job training, Kevin learns essential skills for his future career, ultimately aspiring to become a captain. The video emphasizes the importance of perseverance, hard work, and belief in one's dreams, offering a glimpse into the life of those who begin their seafaring careers as deck cadets.

Takeaways

• 😀 The highest rank a navigator can aspire to in the merchant marine profession is captain, achieved through years of study, training, and experience.
• 😀 Everyone begins their seafaring career at the lowest rank, starting as a deck cadet, which is the trainee position for those aspiring to become deck officers.
• 😀 Deck cadets are typically recent graduates from maritime schools and begin their apprenticeship training on board a ship.
• 😀 The life of a deck cadet is challenging, as they are often the least experienced members of the crew, facing both professional and personal difficulties.
• 😀 Homesickness was a significant challenge for the cadet, who coped by making friends and staying busy with studies and work.
• 😀 The training for deck cadets involves both on-the-job learning and academic study, focusing on gaining proficiency in various shipboard duties.
• 😀 Deck cadets have to perform essential tasks such as bilge well and ballast tank sounding, as well as working on deck in maintenance roles.
• 😀 Mentorship plays a crucial role in the development of deck cadets, with senior officers taking the time to teach and guide them in their careers.
• 😀 Successful cadets gain confidence and proficiency, with the goal of being promoted to officer positions, such as third mate, after completing their training.
• 😀 The journey of a deck cadet involves hard work and sacrifice, with opportunities to take exams and earn licenses that are required for advancing to officer roles.
• 😀 The future success of a deck cadet depends on their choices, and they are motivated by their belief in their dreams, regardless of how others might perceive them.

Q & A

What is the highest rank a navigator can aspire to in the merchant marine profession?

The highest rank a navigator can aspire to is the position of captain.

What is the journey to becoming a captain on a merchant marine ship?

The journey involves going through the ranks, which requires years of study, training, and experience to accumulate the necessary knowledge and skills.

What is the role of a deck cadet on a merchant marine ship?

A deck cadet is a trainee pursuing the path to becoming a deck officer. They are typically newly graduated from maritime schools and are on board the ship for the first time for their apprenticeship training.

How did Kevin, the deck cadet, end up in the merchant marine profession?

Kevin joined the merchant marine based on the suggestion of his parents. He took the exam, passed it, and went on board his first ship, the Azteca, during his third year.

What challenges did Kevin face during his first contract as a deck cadet?

Kevin's biggest challenge was adjusting to the new environment, being away from home, and dealing with homesickness. He overcame this by making friends with other crew members and staying busy with his studies.

What type of training does a deck cadet receive while on board a ship?

Deck cadets undergo on-the-job training, where they learn to perform various tasks expected of them as future officers. This includes both practical duties, such as working on deck and sounding bilge wells, and theoretical learning, such as studying the duties of third officers.

How important is mentorship for deck cadets?

Mentorship is crucial for the success of deck cadets. Officers who are willing to teach and share their knowledge play an essential role in developing well-trained officers for the company's fleet.

How did Kevin's training and experience contribute to his growth as a deck cadet?

Kevin’s training, along with the support and guidance from experienced officers, helped him gain proficiency and confidence in performing officers' duties. He also worked towards getting promoted to third mate after completing the necessary training.

What is the significance of Kevin passing the OSU license exam?

Passing the OSU license exam was a significant milestone for Kevin. It qualified him to advance in his career and meet the company's requirement for becoming an officer.

What is Kevin’s ultimate ambition in the merchant marine profession?

Kevin's ultimate ambition is to become a captain, a goal he is working towards by gaining experience, learning, and making the right choices in his career.