CaptRamius

We're still trained to use sextants and take positions using it. It's good practice and expected that you do it maybe once a day, however that never really happens.

The most common old school calculations and observations you need to do is to check the error of the gyro and magnetic compasses.

This involves first taking a bearing of a celestial object (Planet, Star, Sun, Moon). That's the easy bit. Then you can do a calculation using your position and information from a nautical almanac to calculate the actual bearing of the object. You then compare that to your observation and then you get the error.

Some people don't do the calculation, instead they use a program or app. Personally I always prefer to do the calculation myself and it's good practice to do so.

This would usually be done six times a day by three different officers.

We don't totally rely on GPS for our positions. When possible (when you're close to the shore) you can use the compass and/or radar to obtain your position.

Most ships will have paper charts as well as an ECDIS (Electronic chart display and information system). This takes information from several sensors such as GPS, Doppler log, compasses, wind gauge etc. It also displays your routing and is usually used as the primary means of navigation because it's accurate, quick and pretty damn good.

Unless the ship has a second ECDIS with complex power backups, they will still need to utilize and update paper charts.

I hope that makes sense as I waffled a little bit and used a lot of jargon.

For me usually 4 months. But others onboard had 8 month contracts as I recall.

It could get boring, I found the best way to pass the time was to work. But I had my laptop with an external HDD full of films and TV series'. Some ships have internet, I never did though. Also pass time by socialising, watching films, cards, drinking, BBQ and basketball. Also spent time in the gym, I got in pretty good shape in my time at sea.

It depends a lot by ship type, age and size. I was always on large modern bulk carriers.

These days space is pretty good. Everyone had their own cabin with en-suite. The gym was fairly sized, but the amount and quality of equipment inside varied, but was always adequate. We had rec rooms with TV which you could hook an external HDD to and watch whatever. Karaoke was often on board as well. A lot of ships have internet facilities, but we didn't. We were able to purchase satellite calling cards to call home.

Adequate recreational facilities are required under MLC (Maritime Labour Convention). Now I type these all out they seem really minimal, but this is the standard on most ships.

It's called a "slop chest" or "bonded store". It's basically a room on board with cigarettes, chocolate, soda, beer etc. You kind of have an account on the ship, so you buy want you want, and that is deducted from your wage at the end of the month.

Drink of choice varies by nationality. Mostly beer. But Eastern Europeans and Russians tend to prefer Vodka, but most companies wont allow spirits on board to stop people from getting drunk and doing stupid shit.

We have no affiliation to the navy. It's private companies.

It depends on what country you live in.

In the UK the procedure to becoming an Officer is like this.

Your apply to shipping companies like Maersk, Carnival, BP etc.

If accepted, you'll study at a Maritime College in the UK. The course will be paid for by the company and you'll be given a small allowance for living expenses.

After studying for a small amount of sea you will go to sea to get practical experience. After that you return to college to continue studying. Then you go back to sea. Then you return to college for the last time to complete your studies and final exams.

Your training lasts for three years, including one year at sea.