What's an average day underway like?

**Navy SWO** · June 28th, 2009, 03:44 PM

I'll be submitting for an original MMC probably this week (as long as the drug test goes well, LOL). I have no clue what to expect when I finally get underway and that's a bit intimidating.

What is a typical daily routine like from a deck perspective, OS to Mate, deep draft and GOM.

Thanx again!

**seadawg** · June 28th, 2009, 04:13 PM

SWO,
that's a pretty wide brush to paint with!

allot of the company websites have job decriptions for the various positions..give a fairly good idea of what is expected..most masters/mates have their set routines for on board vessel management & maintenance.

**Shellback** · June 28th, 2009, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by seadawg

most masters/mates have their set routines for on board vessel management & maintenance.

Oh Seadawg, I wish they "all" did...It would take a lot of confusion and frustration out of the day to day operations for the crew..

Like Navy SWO, and other ex service members here, our idea of life aboard is what the Navy has instilled in us..I have found in my short time at the civilian sector that things are much different than I could have imagined...

It also seems that each boat that I am on, within the same company, there are differences...From the way safety meetings are conducted, to the way the boat is tied up..I'm constantly having to remember which master is aboard to adhere to their individual wishes, whims and idiosyncrasies ,which there are usually many....lol..

**Shellback** · June 28th, 2009, 05:24 PM

Navy SWO, I didn't mean to stray from your post, I would comment on what our routine is here but if I did most of the members here would hate me...

It wouldn't be pertinent anyway..

It seems that I have fallen into a pretty good gig right off the bat..We sleep at least 10 hours everynight and our workday is mostly unproductive..between the breaks and lunch very little time is left for actuall work...

The main concern here is what will be on the next grocery list...

**Capt_Anonymous** · June 28th, 2009, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Navy SWO

What is a typical daily routine like from a deck perspective, OS to Mate, deep draft and GOM.

It's pretty boring, except for those random times when you're scared shitless or suffering from food poisoning because no one understands the first thing about food safety.

**Jeffrox** · June 28th, 2009, 11:05 PM

In my experience, often the AB will stand watch on the bridge at night only, with the day watch spent out on deck working, plus 2 to 4 hours of other on-deck or "sanitation" work. The total work day being 10-12 hours of work/watch per day.The below blurb is from a major maritime company's website and is typical of the industry.

<TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" id=ctl00_cplhBody_dlJobDetails_ctl00_dlJobRequirem ents border=0 cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=style3 height=906>Able Seaman (AB) may work as watchstander, day worker, or a combination of these roles. The AB is also responsible for keeping the vessel in a clean, tidy condition and work under the direction of the mate. At sea, the AB watchstander's duties include standing watch as helmsman and lookout while underway. As day worker, the AB performs daily maintenance to preserve painted surfaces of the ship and to maintain lines, running gear, and cargo handling gear in safe operating condition. The AB may be called on to use emergency, lifesaving, damage control, and safety equipment. Able seamen perform all operations connected with the launching of lifesaving equipment.
Watchstanding Functions

stands watch at bow or on wing of bridge to look for obstructions in path of vessel
as helmsman, mans wheel on bridge or uses emergency steering apparatus to steer vessel as directed by Captain or Mate
stand security-related watches, such as gangway or anchor watch

General Functions

breaks out, rigs, overhauls, and stows cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear
maintains and operates lifeboats, lifesaving gear, emergency and damage control gear
operate deck machinery, such as windlass, winches or cranes chips, cleans, paints and removes rust spots from deck, superstructure and sides of ship using hand or air chipping hammer and wire brush
may stow or remove cargo from ship's hold
maintains interior of vessel including sanitation and lavatories
splices and repairs cables and ropes using hand-tools
performs any other additional duties that may be required or assigned

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

**seadawg** · June 29th, 2009, 12:01 AM

Jeffrox..thats more or less what I was refering to..several company websites that I've been on have similiar.

Shellback..yes we "all" do things differently..I have a "bag of tricks" that is proven to work and am relunctant to try anything "new" unless I feel it is a safer and better way..whether you realize or not your military experience can put you about 3 steps ahead of the FNG that HR hired off the "street"..as far as safety meetings go, by following the form/manuals any crew member should be able to conduct one..drills (use the form/manual) can be either hands on or "table top"..depending on what piece of shit oil dock your atempting to tie the 210' osv to there shouldn't be any confusion..the wheelman puts the vessel alongside and holds it while the deck puts out stern, brest, bow, spring..tying up offshore is a whole other can of worms..when there is doubt "pre-task"..as far as routines for watch, daily, weekly, crew change there are lists for those..there is most likely an ongoing project/maintenance list that is generated by master, mate and sometimes the engineer..all of this isn't "rocket science"..IMHO the master who avoids micro-manageing and deligates to and encourages the crew is a good one to be aboard with!

**Shellback** · June 29th, 2009, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by seadawg

Jeffrox..thats more or less what I was refering to..several company websites that I've been on have similiar.

Shellback..yes we "all" do things differently..I have a "bag of tricks" that is proven to work and am relunctant to try anything "new" unless I feel it is a safer and better way.
whether you realize or not your military experience can put you about 3 steps ahead of the FNG that HR hired off the "street"..

Seadawg, I know we are all individuals and I wouldn't want it any other way..From a crews perspective however, two skippers that have trivial,infantile differences should try and compromise for the crews sake...IMHO..

Believe me, I realize.!

as far as safety meetings go, by following the form/manuals any crew member should be able to conduct one..drills (use the form/manual) can be either hands on or "table top"..

It's a matter of how seriously the chain of command walks the walk..

depending on what piece of shit oil dock your atempting to tie the 210' osv to there shouldn't be any confusion..the wheelman puts the vessel alongside and holds it while the deck puts out stern, brest, bow, spring..tying up offshore is a whole other can of worms..

I have asked several times for copies of checklists...I get the same answer, there are none..Finally I just made up my own....

when there is doubt "pre-task".
as far as routines for watch, daily, weekly, crew change there are lists for those..there is most likely an ongoing project/maintenance list that is generated by master, mate and sometimes the engineer..all of this isn't "rocket science"..

Project/maintenance ( PM's MOS's) Definately not rocket science but it's one of the few things that doesn't get to be debated or contradicted ..It has a set procedure ...I likey

IMHO the master who avoids micro-manageing and deligates to and encourages the crew is a good one to be aboard with!

That's what I was getting at , but didn't want to sound like I was skipper bashing..I try not to get into that if I can help it...

The things you mention are what I expected, based on my past Naval service what I have read from the professionals on this board ..The realization is that there are some folks in the industry that don't make this a priority...I'm afraid some of you have raised my expectations to high...

If this is your opinion, then you are the kinda of person that I would like to sail with...

**Kennebec Captain** · June 30th, 2009, 04:12 AM

Originally Posted by Navy SWO

I
What is a typical daily routine like from a deck perspective, OS to Mate, deep draft and GOM. !

There is only one way to find out and that is to do it. My advice is be polite, don't try to bs anyone, ask for help and advice, most mariners are proud of their skills and don't mind sharing but pick the times you ask with care. Avoid social mistakes such as sitting in the wrong spot in the mess. Deep sea it used to be easier when there was two or three ABs to a watch, now there is only one, try to find a mentor to help. You're going to make mistakes, the first day or two will be tough but it gets better fast.

Deep sea commercial is much different then military but the basics of seamanship don't change.