As a deck cadet; physically it's the worst position to be in the deck department but in terms of responsibility you are fine (because for now you are not expected to lead anything, just follow and learn). You have to chip rusting metals, involve in mooring activities, clean the equivalent of a massive 4story building, work very hard with the ratings.
But after physically exhausting your body you also have to impress the officers on the bridge with mental strength too.
I am omofoye okierate Elijah, I'm a deck cadet, for those who don't know what that is; a deck cadet is a student who has graduated from the university studying marine transportation (nautical science) and is LEARNING the practical aspect of vessel navigation for the period of 12months.
As a requirement from the international maritime organization(IMO) after studying for about three years in school, a student needs to have 12months sea experience to be able to qualify to be an officer onboard a vessel.
There are many different departments that work together onboard a vessel to ensure a smooth operation, and safe passage from point A to point B.
But these steps are mostly for the deck and engineering cadets.
After the 12months training the cadet would be required to write an exam for the certificate of competency, this is his ticket to probably earn in dollars and travel the world for free, but for now I'm grounded in a Nigerian company that doesn't allow cadets leave the country because they are afraid to pay overseas allowance (can you imagine that?).
That's all for now maybe next time I'll write on how to get to where I am now, because as at 2015 all I knew was I wanted to be a seaman, I didn't know anything else, as in the different departments, the duration of the courses, the fees... in fact, nothing at all.