Deck-Officer.com

bathtubcaptain · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:09 am Post subject: Is 24 too old?

Hi guys,

I just recently finished my pre-sea (deck) course at the Australian Maritime College, and in accordance with the way that Australia's maritime industry tends to work, I have to find a cadetship (it's nigh on impossible to be employed as a cadet from straight off the street without the pre-sea course). I have applied to just about every company I could think of, and one of them, BP Shipping, has turned me down again (I applied to them three times over as many years before doing the course). The first three times I guessed that as I hadn't done the pre-sea course I wasn't really competitive, but having done the course, as well as having previous Royal Australian Navy experience and, compared to the eighteen year olds I was competing against (most were on my course), having the maturity and self discipline they mostly lacked. The only reason I can see in them not even interviewing me was based on my age, which is 24. I'd like to know your opinions on basing the hiring of cadets on the fact that they are over a certain age. I personally think you can teach an 'old dog' new tricks, and that usually, the older cadets tend to have a better chance of finishing the cadetship than an 18 year old who has a good chance of throwing it in and going home, like what several such Australian cadets from BP Shipping have done recently.

By the way, this isn't me 'losing it' over not getting an interview (again Very Happy

), because I know there are more companies over there that would be willing to and have expressed that they would like to at least interview me when a vacancy arises. I just wanted to get this thought off my chest and see what you think of such decisions when it comes to hiring of cadets.... OK I'm a little bit disappointed and p***ed off. Wink

Indiana_Jones · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 89

Well I can't offer you an answer, I'm sorry, but I can relate to how you feel!

I'm finding it bloody hard to get some seatime from here in New Zealand!
_________________
"Mr. Fry, I like to give my first mate an informal nickname. From now on you will be known as ... Wiggles!" (Bender Wiggles his fingers)

LundyDan · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 5

Well, I sympathise with your situation, but please do not lose hope!

I have recently begun a cadetship with Maersk, and during my first college phase I celebrated my thirtieth birthday!

I am not alone either, there are a smattering of cadets in my intake who are above the elderly age of 25, and I believe there is one guy who is a first phase cadet at 35!

As for your comments on the 18yr olds you have met, I can only agree. Some of the Maersk intake I have started with are a real rabble, some of them as young as 16. It seems to me that they have just been to a career day, and thought 'Merchant Navy, that seems fun!' I have been paired with the youngest and most callow youth for my first sea phase, so I can only assume it was a deliberate decision to pair an older, wiser head with one of the younger guys.

Best of luck with your sea career, and hopefully you will eventually be given the chance that I have got, at 24 you are a relative spring chicken compared to me.

thadymcandrew · Joined: 27 Jun 2006 Posts: 36

Well my friend just started a cadetship and he's 40

bathtubcaptain · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies guys. It is comforting to know that there are a few of us 23 and over 'grandpa's' Laughing

out there. I'm definately not losing hope and trying to work the contacts at various companies that I know will be hiring soon. In the meantime, I've taken up a position as a deckhand with Captain Cook Cruises, working on Sydney Harbour, which having done a few shifts, isn't too bad but I have to double as a waiter which does tend to give me the s**ts, but it's better than working in something completely unrelated to the industry. Indiana_Jones, keep working at it, I'm sure that something will come up!

Lord Grimcock · Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Tyneside

I started this year at 27, the second oldest in our group, and I have heard of much older.

bathtubcaptain · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:13 am Post subject:

It's comforting to know Grimlock that there is hope! Right now, working at Captain Cook Cruises, I'm stuck looking after a little sh!t of a 15 year old who doesn't listen because he thinks he's a 'big and tough sailor', so it's now welcome relief that I'm on my way to a cadetship (woo hoo!) in October next year.

LundyDan · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 5

Lord Grimcock · Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Tyneside

bathtubcaptain · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:10 pm Post subject:

Well it looks like I'll be going to sea sooner than I thought. I'll be leaving to join my ship in Miami in February. The cadetship is with Norwegian Cruise Line, and although they aren't the best deal for a cadetship, it's more a case of "you get what you can get" in Australia, and this is the only offer I've received since I finished my pre-sea in September last year. Besides, the cruise lines was where I wanted to make my career (and it's not for the dancing for passengers either!) Laughing

peahead · Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 50

I did some time on that Liverpool Dublin ferry in November and December 2007. All the 2nds and abs are indeed Polish, but the mates are both Brits and they were my dto.

Indiana_Jones · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 89

Hey Bathtub,

Do you deal directly with the line or do you go through a recruiting agent?
_________________
"Mr. Fry, I like to give my first mate an informal nickname. From now on you will be known as ... Wiggles!" (Bender Wiggles his fingers)

chickiecool1 · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 3

Lord Grimcock! You work for Global Marine???

I have been trying to track a global marine cadet for ages! I've been offered a position with them for September FD course at Warsash.

Whats it like working for them? Are they a good company to work for?

Please answer Embarassed