My new career as an Onboard Data Analyst is about to begin in earnest. I’ve never worked on a ship before, never lived or spent any time at sea, or anything even remotely like this. I’m excited and nervous.
I’ve never known any seamen in my life, so I have no idea what the culture of an offshore worker on a survey vessel is like. I usually do a good job of getting along well with people, so I’m not too worried.
The reason I’m posting this is to get your advice and opinions on how I can best fit in. Are there any rules/customs that I should expect? Any pranks they like to pull on newbies that I could look out for? I have a desk job inside the ship, so I won’t be out on deck most of the time, but I imagine I will work alongside some of the more labor-intesive positions from time to time.
I have everything all packed, brought sea-sickness pills just in case, lots of clothes and hygeine stuff, etc. Is there anything weird or strange that you would recommend I bring with me that I might not have thought of? Anything I should do to mentally prepare? All advice is welcome!
Oh, and we will have satelite internet out there so I’ll still be here on the SD.
Wear wool, not cotton. I’d sleep in Smartwool, just in case of a “abandon ship”*. Get one of those Irish Fishermans sweaters and/or a wool peacoat. Yes, even in the Gulf of Mexico. You can find Smartwool boxers and t-shirts on sale on a few sites.
Of course, bring extra sunglasses and sunblock, including stuff for the lips. Also both a sun hat and wool watchcap.
Be prepared for some minor hazing (not much since it’s not a deck job). Bringing along some homebaked cookies or whatever for the guys will help. Offer to buy a round once in a while, etc.
For culture, general rules at sea and some fun historical reading, you could do worse than The Bluejacket’s Manual.
Food should be large portions, but not very tasty.
Bring some probiotics. This will help with the food and water adjustments.
In my day there was quite a bit of smoking.
I was a little paranoid about this and had a little kit with a stainless steel knife, some high spf chapstick, some fishing gear, one of those free roll-up sunglasses you get from the eye doctor, etc. I kept it even when I was sleeping.
Find your survival suit (CG regs require one per person) and practice putting it on. Keep it where you can get to it easily. You may think the waters are not that cold, but if you are immersed, you rapidly lose body heat without it.
Take the dramamine at least 24 hours before you set out and keep taking it. Once you get seasick, you never get overit until you return to shore. Better safe than sorry.
If the ship motion gets to you, try to get as close to the waterline as possible (the engine room is fairly stable. The higher up you go the more they swaying.
Take the seasick pills until you know your body’s reaction to the roll.
Don’t drink the night before.
Secure your gear so that it won’t roll, especially fluids*
Where are you going to sea?
*I had a couple of friends/shipmates who were seasick as dogs in the Drake Passage. They had a bottle of scotch which broke in their locker. They spent 3 days barfing in their bunks in a room filled with the smell of scotch.
Ah I miss being out in the open sea… I know nothing about seamanship and such though.
Yeah ginger candy works; I usually don’t get motion sickness but during some serious storms it helped me… mostly from getting nauseous seeing others barfing and dry heaving. Look at the horizon as much as you can while “data analyzing” if you can and avoid staying under the deck too much until you get used to the motion.
Oh and the man-overboard drills… that’s scary stuff out on rough sea.
Have done this sort of thing a time or two myself.
Do take note of all of the good advice about clothing and such - then add a fleecy jacket and maybe some thermal undies and extra socks- damned cold on some of those surveys and some ship laundries are slow, no matter where they are.
Also, take a few books or other entertainment; internet can go down and you are sunk (ha!).
Even if it doesn’t, sometimes it is just good to curl up with a book and blanket and not look at a screen.
Be prepared for some times of boredom - seismic lines are notoriously unpredictable- sometimes long periods of nothing.
If you are used to having periods of exercise - you might miss it on a survey ship - not a lot of space for much. I have taken those stretchy bands/pilates sort of things (where you get at least some exercise) - can be used in your cabin.
First trip will be a big learning experience, I do not think anyone will bother you very much,
Next trip you will learn what you need to say as sane as possible and get a better handle on what you (as an individual) need to have with you.
This trip, stay warm, dry and safe. You will learn a lot about the shipboard experience - next trip- you will know what you need.
Another thing, your lovely fluffy socks and new gonchies may be returned from the laundry with thread-bare crap. A notorious trick by the housekeeping folk (in my experience).
Mark all of your stuff very well by room/bunk number - it may help if your stuff is white/other colour with large ID letters (#'s may change each trip) - may not help, but gives you a better chance.
An anecdote - I was the only female on the ship and my nighties/underthings were clearly marked with cabin number - still ran out of stuff almost every time. I really do not know what they did with them, nor do I want to know!
drewtwo99, please check some of this out before you decide to do it. The sunglasses, sunblock and a hat, yes. Wool? I’m scratching my head at this. I’m not an expert and will be the first one to tell you I could be wrong but…if you show up looking like Errol Flynn they’re going to make fun of you something awful, I think. And you’ll never live it down. For the rest of your career you’ll be known as “woolie booger” or something like that. (Again, I could be wrong but please check it out first.) The temps just started getting lower than 70 here on the Gulf, and that’s not normal for this time of year. Could go back up in the next few days. It probably will get cool out on the water so yes, take a jacket. But pick stuff you can layer without looking like the little boy in Christmas Story who falls in the snow and can’t get up.
Take gum. Chewing it will help ease your stomach, make your barfy breath smell better, and you can give the guys some which they’ll appreciate.
Take lots of music that can be shared. (Basically, think SHARE about most of the extra stuff you take.) Be prepared for as much “locker talk” as doing your job. But do your job well. These folks are usually pretty laid back but they know who’s minding the store and who’s not.
As in any new environment, you’ll learn as you go. And at first, listening more than talking will take you far. You’re going to love it; the Gulf is beautiful.
Might even see some dolphins! (Inside joke.)
Glad I wasn’t the only one. 