🚢 Training at Sea: How Cadets Learn the Ropes on Their First Voyages

My name is Davide Ramponi, I’m 21 years old and currently training as a shipping agent in Hamburg. On my blog, I take you with me on my journey into the exciting world of shipping. I share my knowledge, my experiences, and my progress on the way to becoming an expert in the field of Sale and Purchase – the trade with ships.

Before anyone becomes a captain, an engineer, or even a third mate, they start as a cadet — the most junior member of the crew, but one with a crucial role: to learn. 🌊

Cadetship is the bridge between the classroom and the control room. It’s where theories from maritime academies are tested by salt, steel, and sea spray. For many, it’s a mix of excitement, pressure, and life-changing lessons — and it sets the tone for an entire maritime career.

🔍 In this post, I’ll walk you through:

• 🎓 How cadets combine academic theory with real-world experience

• 👨‍✈️ The role of mentorship from senior officers and crew

• 🛟 Key learning areas: routines, navigation, emergencies

• 🌪️ Common challenges cadets face on their first voyages

• 💡 Practical tips for cadets to make the most of their sea-time

If you’re preparing for your first trip, mentoring someone who is, or just curious about how seafarers are shaped — this one’s for you.

🎓 From Classroom to Bridge Wing: Why Sea-Time Matters

Every shipping professional starts with formal training. Maritime academies teach:

• Navigation principles

• Collision regulations (COLREGs)

• Engineering systems

• Maritime law and safety

• Meteorology and cargo handling

But theory alone won’t steer a ship. That’s why most flag states and STCW-compliant programs require minimum sea-time — usually between 6 and 12 months — for certification.

🧭 Sea-time is where knowledge becomes skill. Onboard, cadets experience:

• The rhythm of shipboard life

• Teamwork in high-stress environments

• Hands-on exposure to real-world tools and systems

No simulator can match a rough night watch in the North Sea.

👨‍✈️ Mentorship at Sea: Learning from the Crew

Ask any seasoned officer where they learned the most, and many will say: from a mentor. For cadets, senior crew members aren’t just supervisors — they’re teachers, role models, and sometimes lifesavers.

🧑‍🏫 Who Mentors Cadets Onboard?

Cadets are usually assigned to:

• A training officer or designated mentor (often the 2nd or 3rd officer)

• An engineer-in-charge, if in an engine cadetship

• The captain, who signs off sea-time and reports

Good mentors don’t just assign tasks — they explain why, correct mistakes with patience, and share personal tips that aren’t in any manual.

🗣️ Real quote from a 3rd officer:

“The best cadets are the ones who ask questions — and the ones who aren’t afraid to admit when they don’t know.”

🔁 Learning by Doing

Cadets are expected to:

• Observe operations

• Assist in daily tasks

• Complete assigned checklists and logs

• Keep a training diary verified by their mentor

💡 Tip:

Cadets should always carry a notebook — to write down procedures, radio calls, and engine specs. The best insights come during unexpected moments.

Learning the Routines — and the Emergencies

Life at sea has structure. Every ship runs on routines, and cadets must quickly adapt to the onboard clock.

📅 Daily Duties

Deck cadets usually:

• Join morning safety meetings

• Assist with logbooks and bridge watch

• Participate in mooring, anchoring, and cargo ops

• Learn how to read navigation systems (ECDIS, radar, AIS)

Engine cadets:

• Tour machinery spaces

• Learn the function of pumps, generators, cooling, and lubrication systems

• Help with daily maintenance tasks

• Track operating parameters and record readings

🔧 Some vessels rotate cadets between departments — exposing them to bridge and engine experiences.

🚨 Emergency Drills and Safety Protocols

Cadets are required to participate in:

• Fire drills (including hose handling and breathing apparatus)

• Abandon ship drills (lifeboat lowering, emergency radio use)

• Man overboard drills

• Enclosed space entry training

⚠️ Emergencies are where real training shows. A cadet who panics can put others at risk — but one who stays calm and follows orders becomes an asset.

🌪️ The Reality Check: Common Cadet Challenges

Not everything about cadetship is smooth sailing. 🌊 Many cadets report their first voyages as some of the toughest — and most rewarding — months of their lives.

1. 😓 Culture Shock and Isolation

• Ships can be culturally diverse — cadets must adapt to new languages, habits, and hierarchies

• Long days, minimal internet, and time zones away from family can hit hard

• Cadets often feel like “outsiders” at first

🧠 Advice:

Join crew activities, talk to everyone, and find ways to stay connected — even if it’s just sending emails once a week.

2. 😴 Fatigue and Shift Work

• Night watches, irregular meals, and disrupted sleep patterns are part of the job

• New cadets often struggle with physical and mental exhaustion

💡 Tip:

Stay hydrated, nap wisely, and get sunlight during the day when off-duty.

3. 🤷‍♂️ Lack of Guidance or Structure

• Not every vessel has a great training culture

• Some cadets are left to “figure it out” — with little support

🛑 If you feel unsafe or unsupported, speak up. Most ship managers have cadet feedback channels or a DPA (Designated Person Ashore) for such cases.

🗺️ Tips for a Successful Cadetship

If you’re preparing for your first voyage as a cadet, here are some proven strategies from former trainees and officers:

🧳 1. Pack Smart

Bring:

• Personal PPE (gloves, safety glasses, work shoes)

• Notebooks and printed training checklists

• Snacks, personal hygiene items, and photos from home

• Pocket flashlight, multi-tool, and a backup power bank

📒 2. Document Everything

• Keep a daily journal of what you learn

• Record key procedures: radar tuning, tank entry prep, main engine startup

• Get regular sign-offs on your TRB (Training Record Book)

🖊️ Documentation is not just for exams — it helps build memory and confidence.

🗣️ 3. Communicate Proactively

• Ask for clarification

• Show interest in safety meetings

• Volunteer for small tasks — they lead to bigger lessons

✅ Showing initiative often opens the door to deeper learning opportunities.

🧘 4. Manage Stress and Expectations

• You’re not expected to know everything

• Don’t compare your progress to others

• Focus on small wins: plotting a chart, tying a knot, finding a fault

🎯 Remember:

the goal isn’t perfection — it’s growth.

⚓ Why Cadet Training Still Matters in a Digital Age

With all the talk of smart ships and autonomous navigation, you might wonder: will we even need cadets in the future?

The answer is a firm yes.

Here’s why:

• Ships still need hands-on maintenance, decision-making, and leadership

• Tech can monitor — but humans must respond and adapt

• A well-trained cadet becomes a confident officer — and one day, a captain

📦 Cadetships build more than technical skills. They shape resilience, responsibility, and real-world readiness.

📣 Conclusion: From Cadet to Competent

Every officer was once a cadet — and every cadet starts by saying “I don’t know yet.” That humility, curiosity, and work ethic are what fuel the best learning at sea.

Key Takeaways 🎯

• Sea-time turns theory into lived experience

• Mentorship is critical — and should be actively sought

• Cadets learn best through participation and documentation

• The first voyage is tough — but growth comes quickly

• Cadetships remain the cornerstone of maritime training

👇 Are you preparing for your first voyage — or mentoring someone who is?

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments — I look forward to the exchange!

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