Cadet Life
Emma, 18 is from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria and is an Electro – Technical Officer Cadet in Phase 3 on the foundation degree route.
“Friends of the family told me about the Merchant Navy and then I looked it up on the internet. Careersatsea.org gave me a list of sponsoring companies and that’s how I found Maritime London.
I love the career! It’s really hard sometimes but I never look back, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. It’s challenging, but I like that. At college the social life is really great, everyone is really friendly and always up for a laugh. You’ve just got to make sure you strike the right balance; it’s a work hard play harder attitude.
My time at sea was amazing! I was on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner which is a luxury cruise ship for 4 months. Accommodation was basic, but I got my room cleaned every other day! The food was good but not really my taste; it was aimed more at a European taste but I asked nicely and got some more English food.
The people are all generally nice, staying in touch was difficult but I don’t get home sick. The internet was expensive onboard and there wasn’t much time in port but phone cards in port are cheap, in the USA I got a $5 card that lasted 2 hours.
I’ve been to Miami, USA; Columbia, Panama, Mexico, Costa Rica, all up the West coast of the USA: San Diego (awesome shopping in fashion valley and we were berthed next to the aircraft carrier from Top Gun), San Francisco; we sailed under the Golden Gate bridge at sunrise and it was breath taking; Oregon, Seattle, all over Vancouver island Canada, Vancouver itself which is amazing, and all around Alaska up to the glaciers surrounded by icebergs.
All of this was amazing, but my best moment so far was going through the Panama Canal or eating real enchiladas in a back street café in Acapulco.
In 5 years time I want to be a second engineer living the dream and by 10 years I want my chief Engineer’s ticket and maybe a family.
When my friends or family ask about my job, I just say I’m an engineer at sea, seeing the world and getting paid for the privilege. They think it’s great they’re all really proud.
I would recommend the career to other young people, it’s the best decision I ever made - you get a good qualification and a career and they pay for all of your training.
In the engineering workshop