My Experience as an Engineer, as a Mariner.

[Indian]

Merchant navy is really awesome..the pics are great..the sea and ships all are awesome..I know its difficult to sleep in a sharing ship..but money is what matters for a tougher than the toughest life..

Merchant Navvy is great yes but only for the people who like it, Just like other jobs. First of all you have to like the job, being mechanical engineer you should be ready to work on hand. If you see the real work shipmates do, its 90% with dirty hands and clothes. In our time only during the dinner time we used to be in a uniforms. There is no fixed working time, you are working basically 24 hrs a day! But one thing is as a mechanical engineer I could see almost all the things I learnt from the books was being used, worked and experimented in the engine room.
Even though now I am out of marine life, it has given me a different life style altogether. It made me do the things 'my own'. No dependencies what so ever. It also gives you so much of confidence in what ever you do. Money 'Yes' its great, but generally when you earn more money you spend more and at the end you are just like others, I am one e.g
For me I did not join merchant navvy for money, I wanted to travel out and see places. Now a days any job can give you such pleasures but when I joined general public saw foreign countries only in TVs.

 

[sachinsharma]

My best friend has just completed his one year training in Merchant Navy..this is why I know this much about it...He too is a mechanical from my college itself..He is doing for the sake of money because he belongs to a poor back ground...its his desire to travel and his responsibility to make his family better so he is going into it..He is going to start his first sail in the end of this month or may be next month..I know its really hard work and you have to be all those years besides the engine..Money is what you earn more you spend..You cant control them..But yes atleast you have your own proper bungalow n cars and you can raise your children well..People leave it after a decade or so but they really change a lot...I completely agree with your point..

 

[Indian]

My best friend has just completed his one year training in Merchant Navy..this is why I know this much about it...He too is a mechanical from my college itself..He is doing for the sake of money because he belongs to a poor back ground...its his desire to travel and his responsibility to make his family better so he is going into it..He is going to start his first sail in the end of this month or may be next month..I know its really hard work and you have to be all those years besides the engine..Money is what you earn more you spend..You cant control them..But yes atleast you have your own proper bungalow n cars and you can raise your children well..People leave it after a decade or so but they really change a lot...I completely agree with your point..

Sachin, If your friend is from poor background and hardwarking kind then this is the right profession for him. Only thing I always caution people is that don't just look at money, nobody pays money for free. At ships life is really tough and during the first year of onboard training period so many of my class mates bailed out! One unfortunate one committed suicide. Why ? people takes things very easy, they think ships life is always filled with fun, enjoyment, clubs, drinks, girls and money. So many youngsters approach me just about to join shipping and that's the advice I give them As long as you are ready to take it as challenge and have will power I think that's the profession to be

 

[sachinsharma]

No he not so insensible..He is strong and he is intelligent..He knows what all he has to face..We all at first didnt wanted to let him go because he was already placed in an automobile company but it was his will since years to go in navy so we had to let him go..He is not coward that he cant face any problem of life..He is one of our damn favorite friends..and he is not money minded..he just love to enjoy life and he want to support his family because he is the only son..he thinks he has to take care of both the generations of his..the older and the new one..and he supports us too in every possible way..He has accepted the challenge and I know he will surely succeed and after few years he will leave it and we all will together do some business..

 

[sethumurugan]

Just wanna know is this way all ships are launched? [Irrespective of the size of the ship]

Launching New Ship at Port - YouTube

Ever Wonder How Really Big Ships Get Launched - YouTube

 

[nozzlering]

There are various ways ships are launched. Videos by Sethu sir show them. Let me add one more video to show other ways of launching. Video taken from youtube.
Big Ship Launches Good and Bad - YouTube

The ships are launched bare (without machinery). Once aflot, they are taken to a lay-up berth. This is the time where all the machineries are fitted to the ship.

 

[Gurrala74]

Hey Nozzle,

That was a good video, how are you man, not seen on TAI these days

 

[Indian]

There are various ways ships are launched. Videos by Sethu sir show them. Let me add one more video to show other ways of launching. Video taken from youtube.
Big Ship Launches Good and Bad - YouTube

The ships are launched bare (without machinery). Once aflot, they are taken to a lay-up berth. This is the time where all the machineries are fitted to the ship.

nozzlering Nice info, even I never knew about it Never got a chance to see the launch.
I request you to keep posting pictures here..routinely from you ship even at sail. Just a pic and a short description...That would make me feel back on ship

 

[sethumurugan]

Good to see there nozzelring after long time. are you back to Bangalore or still in high seas?

Ya thanks for sharing couple of more ship launching clips. I think last two but one is right method i believe.

Will there be crew on the ship when all the methods of launch?

 

[nozzlering]

While launching, there's no one on the ship.. Once launched successfully, people get onboard.

 

[nozzlering]

Its been a long time since any update from my side. Actually I was so much busy with some personal matter that I had very less time to be active on TAI. Well, I have overstayed in my leave period and its high time I get back to where I belong. Oceans. I am all set to join my new home for next few months, my next ship. This one's even mightier than my last ship. I will try to post frequent updates. This one is over 330 m long and can carry over 8000 containers. Will keep you updated.

 

[Prads]

I think this documentary is relevant to the topic,a must watch to get a feel of how a small crew of 22 must multitask on board one of the largest cargo ship in the world! Megaship: OOCL Atlanta - Megastructure - YouTube

 

[nozzlering]

Hello mates
Finally I am on the way to my floating home. Right now at Hong Kong airport. The journey till now has been quite interesting. Few days back my company gave me flight options. And I chose one which let me stay at home for maximum time, just overlooked the finer details. And last night I realised, I have 9 hours of waiting at Hong Kong airport. And to add to it, I forgot to bring my laptop charger, phone charger. Since I will be out for atleast 3 months, I have no other option, but to buy a new one. And my card is not working. With just 250 USD with me, I will survive. I went around looking for a laptop charger, and I found one. It costs a little over 200 USD!!

Will try to use my laptop later on and upload some pics. Lets hope I am able to find an affordable power adaptor.

 

[Gurrala74]

Hhahahahaha NR, what a situation buddy, now try watching others laptops

Yes, you thought you have taken a delayed flight option to join back late but might have not noticed the waiting time, happened to me once, I was focusing only on the cheapest price

Hyderabad to Delhi and bought the ticket from Air Sahara. Flight took off from Hyderabad and I think after 40 minutes started going down as pilot announces the landing at Nagpur, then I thought there is some problem, then it took off again and after 30 minutes again was going down, then I checked with a flight attendant and she said it is Hyderabad-Nagpur-Jaipur-Delhi flight

Was bit sad that we could not meet this time, but next time without fail, I wish you happy and colorful time at Hongkong airport and happy sailing buddy

 

[nozzlering]

Exactly. I was wondering, how could I miss that! Anyways. Wish to get hotel stay at Ningbo. I could buy the chargers. Else, if I get on ship, I dont know when I will get to have them. Also, chances are some one ship might have same chargers. I can manage for some time.
Anyways this time, I am going to work on ship which has high voltage power system. High Voltage!! Why? Because its more efficient. Though its more dangerous too. But saftey systems ensure its safe to work on. More will come in as I get to know more about it.
I did have time at evenings during mu Mumbai visit. It seems others didnt have time. Also it was not weekend so possibility for others joining in was remote. Anyways, will definitely meet next time.

@ prads: Nice Video. Thanks.