Name: Greville Millichamp
From: Prestiegne
Position: Trainee Electro Technical Officer
Training at: Warsash Maritime Academy
Age at start of training: 27
Joining the MN has to be my biggest life changing experience. For 6 years I worked in a factory environment, but now my training has allowed me to experience worldwide travel and meet some fantastic people, some of whom shall be friends for life.
I have always been interested in engineering and the way in which things work. Joining the MN as an ETO cadet has allowed me to train in a wide range of engineering skills including mechanical and electrical, in one of the most highly skilled training environments available. I am very hands-on so the most enjoyable part of the course for me has been the development of practical engineering skills in the workshop. Not all of the course has been easy. Having been out of education for a number of years and as a mature student I have found the Maths a challenge, but through good support I will make the grades I need. For the future this training will enable me to pursue an occupation in a wide range of disciplines from Chief Engineer to Marine Surveying and Law.
I found Bibby Ship Management through the internet and having made contact with them was offered an interview. It was friendly, relaxed interview which was the deciding factor in choosing a sponsoring company. My training officer has offered me great support throughout my course whenever I have needed it, whether I have been at Sea or at University. They have always been shown a keen interest in my professional development and are always available with helpful advice to help me further my career.
Name: Christopher Dyer
From: Invernesshire, Scotland
Position: Trainee Deck Officer
Training at: Fleetwood Nautical Campus
Age at start of training: 18
I joined the Merchant Navy because my life has always involved something to do with boats and the sea. Rather than joining the fishing industry as most young people do in the area around Mallaig, a friend of mine asked me “Why don’t you join the Merchant Navy?” At that point I didn’t know what it was so I started to look into it.
Then I got talking to more and more people who were already in the Merchant Navy and I started to hear all the stories and I liked what I was hearing. I wanted to be someone who could tell these stories. I think that the death of my father when I was 8 years old pushed me to go further in my life rather than just be a fisherman out of Mallaig. The reason why I decided to be a deck officer is that I am not mechanically minded, plus the fact I like to see where I am going.
I sent about 12 application forms to 12 different companies and the best one I got back was from Bibby.
The most enjoyable part of the training is not only the monthly allowance coming in at the end of each month but the fact that I get paid to travel the world is unbelievable.
When I joined I got a smart wee memory stick from Bibby’s and it had bits of information on it that came in handy – I haven’t seen any other cadets with anything like it.
Name: Jonathan Peters
From: Aberdare
Position: Trainee Deck Officer
Training at: Fleetwood Nautical Campus
Age at start of training: 33
As a cadet age does not matter as there is a wide age group in my class ranging from the oldest at 35 (me) to the youngest at 18. I am currently in my fourth phase of a seven phase trainee deck officer cadetship. The cadetship is divided into theoretical phases (at college) and practical phases (at sea). The idea behind this is to give you the basic knowledge at college (odd number phase) which you then put into practice whilst at sea (even number phase).
During your time at college you are instructed by vastly experience ex-seafarers who are committed to ensuring that you achieve your goal of obtaining your Officer of the Watch certification. These tutors are approachable and more than willing to provide extra tuition if you feel that you are struggling with a particular aspect of your training.
Throughout your cadetship you have a designated training officer as appointed by your training provider who provides encouragement and support and is only a telephone call away if you experience any problems. Your training officer will provide you with feedback on your academic progress and arranges vessels for the sea phases of your training.
The first phase of your training takes place at a nautical college where you learn basic fire-fighting, first aid, sea survival and are given a good grounding in seamanship (knot tying and splicing of ropes and wires) with this knowledge reinforced at sea. If the thought of being away from home is daunting do not worry as you soon make friends many of which you will keep in touch with for life.
During phase 2 of your cadetship you will primarily be involved with maintenance and general seamanship which will stand you in good stead for when you qualify as an officer. The remaining sea phases will be spent watch-keeping on the bridge as understudy to a qualified officer where you put into practice the knowledge you gained at college.
Life onboard is a very close community which for your time away becomes your family. You meet people from different nations with different cultures as you may not necessarily be sailing with British seafarers.
One of biggest advantages of a merchant navy cadetship is that you gain a recognised worldwide qualification whilst getting paid without the debt associated with other HND or degree courses whilst travelling to parts of the world you probably would not dream of going to. So if the thought of a 9-5 job is not for you then maybe a career within the merchant navy is.
Name: John Riley
From: Runcorn
Position: Trainee Deck Officer
Training at: Fleetwood Nautical Campus
Age at start of training: 20
A cadetship with Bibby’s really does leave you with the world at your feet. I have been greeted by many different cultures and lifestyles crossing the globe to get there. It will give you invaluable experiences in both personal and career development.
Bibby’s give you the opportunity to gain experience on different types on vessels which will increase your overall knowledge of the career which will help you make informed choices when you qualify as a deck officer And are looking for your first job.
If you like the idea of Christmas in the tropics and summers in the far east, working with different nationalities and cultures then a cadetship with Bibby’s could be you.
Name: Adan Lopez Santander
From: Spain
Position: Trainee Deck Officer
Training at: Plymouth University Dept of Maritime Studies
Age at start of training: 34
The sea has always has some special attraction for me since my early life. I decided to become a Deck Officer due to a vocational passion; actually, a lot of passion, as I decided to leave a mature business career for a fresh start at sea.
Bibby stands out in recent British shipping history and although there are other companies sponsoring cadets, Bibby is still actively present in the industry, not only with its own fleet, but providing crew and services to the marketplace. This opened a world of opportunities during the training period, with many different types of ships on which to acquire experience, and fantastic prospects for a later career. When I talk with my college mates it becomes very evident how lucky I have been; they normally only know one kind of ship.
I could not find any aspects of my training that were not enjoyable; perhaps, different.
The stages at sea were amazing! Lot so incredible places worldwide, lots of friends and many opportunities to learn and put into practice what I also learned during the college stages.
I can only saw that, despite the distance, I never felt alone during my training. I always knew that Bibby was there and that they were supporting me. Training for a deck officer is a big commitment and it is very important to know that you can count on your sponsor.
I accepted an offer from Bibby’s at the end of my training mainly because of the very good experiences I had with Bibby during my training. Any company is made by the people who work for them; their value and Bibby is a very good example. In the end, one just wants to be part of that value.
Name: Louis Williams
From: Merseyside
Position: Trainee Engineering Officer
Training at: Warsash Maritime Academy
Age at start of training: 17
For me joining the merchant navy was not an easy choice as I don’t have many family members or friends in the marine environment and so had little knowledge of what I was getting into. I did abit of research and the thought of travelling the world and having a career in which every day is different appealed to me, I also found Bibby who have been around for longer than 200 years and are still active and offering a range of services which also appealed to me. After the interview I left feeling well informed about the course, more so than other cadets, and confident about choosing Bibby as they conveyed relaxed, friendly and helpful first impressions which have continued with great support and I know if I have any issues either at university or at sea that they are always a phone call or email away.
I am now roughly half way through my cadetship and have picked up many new skills including welding, fire fighting and sea survival skills as well as a knowledge of all things mechanical and maritime related along the way. Having been to sea I have met fantastic people and been places I never knew existed, as well as experiencing first hand what working onboard ship is like. I’ve met people from around the World and become good friends with some. I’m glad I chose the merchant navy for a career and I’m glad a chose Bibby as my training provider.
I chose the engineering side of the merchant navy because I enjoy getting stuck in and learning how things work and problem solving. The course is not easy and is mathematically based more than anything, but I find putting in a few extra hours is a good price to pay for a rewarding career with endless opportunities when qualified. Then there’s outside the classroom, meeting other people, the social life and enjoying the many facilities available to students.
Name: Sophie Fooks
From: Dorset
Position: Trainee Deck Officer
Training at: Fleetwood Nautical Campus
Age at start of training: 21
I decided to start a cadetship in the merchant navy because I fancied a new challenge and it seemed like a great way of gaining valuable qualifications in an exciting new environment, whilst at the same time getting to travel the world and meet many interesting new people.
I was working at the RNLI lifeboat college in Poole and met many crew members who were in the merchant navy who opened my eyes to the idea of a cadetship for the first time. It sounded too good to be true and just what I’d been looking for. I had held various positions in recruitment and sales before but was desperate to break away from the office environment and I couldn’t think of anything more different and varied than working at sea.
Bibby was the first interview I had and I was won round by the opportunity to go on the Bankline vessels with their unique passage all around the world. I was fortunate enough to experience the last voyage on one of these ships before they were de-commissioned earlier this year. I was also impressed by the friendly and relaxed interview approach and how I was able to start the course within two months of the interview date.
I have really enjoyed my cadetship so far and have found the level of educational support available both from the college, Bibby and ship’s officers second to none. This is something I don’t take for granted from discussions with some of my colleagues. As someone who has come from full-time work I have found the financial side a bit of a struggle to adjust to but asides from that I have been pleased with all aspects of the course so far.