1 Applying for a job I am a cadet of navigation department at maritime college.

From May to August we had to have our first shipboard training. Before joining the vessel I had a talk with crewing agent who asked me some questions about my study, my professional readiness for being at sea, my plans. He asked me such questions: where I studied, what professional subject I learnt at college, why I was interested in obtaining the sea-going experience in the company. I showed him my documents (seamans passport, international passport, 2 certificates-basic safety and crafts, also I had experience book) and he agreed to help me to obtain the position of a deck cadet on board the vessel. 2 Particulars of the ship. Dry cargo vessel- Alexander Zhitnik Length- 82 Width- 15 Draft- 5 m My trading area is the river Dnieper and the Black Sea. The crew consist of 14 members- 7 deck members such as Captain. Chief officer, 2nd Officer, Bosun, and 1 Ab seaman and 2 cadets, also 7 members- Chief Engineer, 2nd engineer, 2 motormen and engine cadet and also we had cook and mess boy. 3 My working day As a deck cadet I had not so many duties but had to perform them properly for getting the promotion. Cleaning the deck, painting, watch keeping at the gangway and on the bridge, lubricating of the deck equipment were my duties. I worked in a day shift, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. it was not so difficult because I had some breaks for coffee. I was subordinates to Chief Officer and Bosun. They gave me orders to carry out and gave sometimes limited time for performing. As a deck cadet I used different types of brushed for removing the paint and also rags. But rags I couldnt throw overboard. For this purpose we had garbage container. In the morning the Bosun gave me some orders and then I was under his supervision, when our vessel was in port I was assigned for keeping watch at the gangway. It was not so difficult but borning. First of all I had to ask personal information, the purpose of visit, checked their ID card, and if everything was OK I allowed the visitor to come aboard, but also made entries into the Guest Log book. Security officer checked my notes all the time. If we had 2nd level of security we had to keep watch with any deck officer.

When I kept watch on the bridge I executed all the orders of officer of watch, if I could I plotted the course on the chart, took bearings and hoisted shapes or switched on navigational lights. When I had to paint the Bosun gave me the paint and steel brush, some scrapers for removing old paints and cleaning the deck. 4 Mooring equipment Cargo vessels mooring procedure involve many complexities and careful consideration will need to be made for safe berthing and unberthing from ports. Linesmen are to stand clear of bollards when waiting. I must not sit on the quay edge also I must be alert to ships crew and your colleagues at all times. Every bollard, in regular use, is marked with a snap back zone. No-one should enter this area until the mooring is slackened off and the deck officer indicates to let go. Linesmen should go to the bollard only when the rope to be released is slack; release the rope only when a ships officer order me to do so, and then stand well clear. When a ships is Singled up and marking ready to haul off, extra strain may be put on the ropes when springing off. When releasing any rope from a bollard, the rope should be grasped by the side of the eye. Never slide a hand along the rope and never let a hand or fingers get between the rope and the the bollard. When releasing a dipped rope always pull sufficient slack through the eye or eyes of the other rope or ropes and then turn the dipped rope eye over the bollard. If it is jammed by one of the other ropes, pull the clear part right over the top of the bollard so that it can be pulled free; then signal to the crew to haul it free. If gangways, ladders etc from ship to quay are not hauled clear when the ship is about to leave, I must warn the Deck Officer.

5 Port of call The Sea Trading Port of Nikolayev lies nearly 72 miles to the east of Odessa, at the mouth of the river Yuzhniy Bug (Southern Bug), in the northern part of Dnieper . The port is open for navigation the whole year round. Nikolayev is neighbored by the port of Dnepro-Bugskiy, port of Oktyabrsk and Nikolayev River port. Main export cargoes of the port of Nikolayev are steel scrap, steel products, grain, logs, fertilizers (white and pink chloride of potassium). The main cargoes imported are: refrigerated cargoes (meat, fish, fruits, and suchlike), containerized cargoes, oil and oil products. Annual freight turnover at Nikolayev is about 1.5- 2 mln. tones. There are 15 piers at the Sea Trading Port of Nikolayev. Piers Nos. 1-3 serve for transportation of passengers. Piers Nos. 4-14 are used for cargo-handling. Pier No. 15 is the oil handling port, treating small tankers. In winter time traffic through the approaching channel is permitted only in convoys escorted by an ice-breaker. Ice period normally lasts from the beginning of December till the first half of March. Passing through the approaching channel is permitted only. Vessels bound for Nikolayev are advised to be ice-classed. Vessels that are not ice classed can be convoyed upon a letter of indemnity from the owners is addressed to the Port Authorities via the agent. Pilot boarding place is Yuzhniy Pilot Station(VHF Channel 16/12, call sign delta pilot. Dock pilot embarks the vessel at the Inner Roads. 6 My impressions I was satisfied with my first experience, it gave me the possibility to try myself as a specialist and be ready for the next voyage. But I wanted to get good salary, and the amount of money was not satisfied me. 7 My plans First of all I want to continue my education and get the diploma of deck officer. I realized that I need to study 2 years and I want to have second practice to obtain more Knowledge and experience about navigation, I think my skills are not so perfect and thats why I next training will be very useful for me.