When you come to a vessel as a trainee, what do you do?
"It depends on which grade you’re in. I wanted to work on deck with the AB (Able Seaman) and Bosen for the first trainee period. You need to learn as much as possible about all the jobs on deck. You help out at arrival and departure, knock off rust, paint and learn how to tie knots. It’s invaluable to learn as much as possible. I considered it to be the most important part of the course, much more informative than sitting at a school desk.
“After the trainee period I kept in contact with m/v TITUS, and when they needed a substitute during the summer as AB I applied. When that finished, I received a call from Wallenius Marine HR who asked me if I wanted to serve as Third Officer on m/v FIGARO instead. I very much wanted to do that!”
What made you feel so at home at Wallenius?
"The routes are so varied. We travel great distances and visit many countries, in both easterly and westerly directions, so you learn to co-operate with people from different cultures.
"Long tours are good. I still enjoy it despite being away for ten weeks because you’re truly free when you’re at home. There’s plenty of time for family and friends. Shorter tours make it difficult to complete things you start. When you go out again, you always feel as if you could work for quite a while."
What is the most fantastic place you’ve seen?
"Australia. Unfortunately I didn’t make it to Sydney last time because I signed off in Melbourne. Réunion, a small French island off the coast of South Africa, is also fantastic. I’ve signed on a few times in Yokohama, Japan. I like that town a lot. Actually, I like the whole of Asia. Chinatown is quite exotic, but a few blocks down it’s like any other western town."
What is the best part of working at sea?
"Partly that the vessel is always on the move and at the same time it’s structured and viewable, each trip contains several intermediate goals. Everybody has a job to do and the division of responsibilities is very clear. Working at sea calls for co-operation and working independently. Everybody is needed."
"It’s a serious shipping company with lots of experience and a good organisation. They have excellent vessels that they clearly take care of like their staff. In addition, the worldwide tour is fun and that’s what attracts me. The crew is dedicated, all are there to work and all work under the same conditions. We’re there for ten weeks; it’s the same for everyone."
What is the most enjoyable part of the job?
"Navigating the vessel and the watch on the bridge! Those are my hours and I do what I have to do as nobody else is working there then. I also like the job for its extreme variety. I wouldn’t consider doing anything else."
Why would you recommend working on a Wallenius vessel?
"Because it’s a great job! It’s fun, varying and carries responsibility. Independent at the same time as you has to co-operate all the time. It’s simply a good job!"