Hard Work Is Always Rewarding. Though Some Sailors Beleive That Its A Thankless Job, Your Possitive Attitude Towards This Profession Will Always Be Pleasing And Satisfying While Working Onboard. Here Are The 10 Points That Can Make You A Better Performer Onboard.
1) Work Is Worship: A Ship Is Never As Same As Land, Where You Have The Leneiancy Of Having A Job Let Go For The Day If Time Doesnt Permit. On Board The Job Has To Be Done In Stipulated Time As Every Single Job Can Affect The Proper Functioning Of Ship And Its Machinery. Hence Work Is Worship Onboard.
2) Follow The Strict Company Policies: During Company Mentoring We Are Being Made Aware Of Stringent Rules And Regulations That Govern The Seas. Companies Are Very Strict With Their Policies. Say For Example If A Company Has A Zero Alcohol Policy,and In A Random Alcohol Test You Are Found Guilty, Company Is Not Going To Spare You.
3) Follow IMO Regulations Such As MARPOL Strictly: Marpol Regulations These Days Is Very Strictly Followed Onboard. Every Ship Is Surveyed At Regular Intervals For Being Compliant With Marpol, Solas And Other Regulations Laid By Governing Authorities Like Flag State, Classification Society. Be Very Careful With Not Violatong These Rules, Even If You Are Told To Do So.
4) Do Not Get Involved In Petty Disputes: Keep A Calm Head Onboard, Because Everyone There Is Away From Family And Devoid Of A Lot Of Benefits Available On Land. So People Tend To Be Stressed Out, Have Fun But Dont Make Fun Of People, Try To Be Coordial And Supportive To Everyone. Respect Others And Their Job Even If They Are Junior To You.
5) Professionalism Should Be Maintained: As Onboard Our Workplace Is Just One Or Twp Floors Away From Our Homes I.e Cabins Where We Stay. So People Tend To Get Over Friendly At Workplace Also. One Thing People Should Keep In Mind, At Workplace The Most Important Thing Is Work And Has To Be Done In A Professional Way With Everyone Having A Coordial But Professional Relationship. Away From Engine Room, Deck Or Bridge, You Can Be As Friendly With Anyone As Much You Want To.
6) Think Positive And Never Underestimate Your Profession: Its Very Difficult Sometimes To Maintain Your Cool, But At Times When You Weak At Heart, Remember Tough Times Make Tough Men/women. The Kind Of Work And Atmosphere You Are Subjected To Might Make You Feel Stressed, However Keep One Thing In Mind, The Experience Is Not Going In Vain, Someday You Are To Reap Benefits From These Days.
7) Keep Yourself Involved: Many A Times Onboard Apart From Work You Have No Work, As You Know All Work And No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy, So Is The Case. Make The Most Of Your Free Time, Talk To People, Express Yourself.Make Good Friends Who Are Not Only Friend Sfor Ship But Are Connected Even When You Sign Off. Dont Just Waste Time On Your Laptop In Cabin. Come Out, Take A Stroll On The Deck, Watch The Sea, The Weather, The Sky.
If Possible Watch Movies In The Lounge With People, Which Can Develop Social Bonding.
8) Greet People When You See Them And Be Cheerful: Most Of The People Feel Stressed At One Time Or The Other,so A Smile Can Work Wonders,whenever You See A Person Greet Him Be He Your Senior Or Junior,even If He Doesnt. Be Cheerful As People Will Feel Happy Around You.
9) Be Very Watchful Of Your Progress Onboard: Your Seniors Onboard Keep Watching Your Work And Your Attitude, Even If They Find You Are Incompetent They Wont Generally Tell You. So Better Would If You Yourself Make An Habit Of Cross Examing Yourself. You Can Do That By Making A Do List Of Jobs You Have To Do And Crosschecking At An Interval So That You Know How Much Have You Actually Learnt.
10) Dont Expect Anyone To Be Your Teacher: No Body On Ship Is Being Paid To Train Others,they Do It Out Of Courtesy And Somebody Else Did It For Them. However, Many A Times You Will Have To Teach Yourself. Find Manuals Onboard And Throughly Go Through Them. Learn Things And Give Your Inputs While The Job Is Done. Your Motto Onboard Should Be Learning By Reading And Then By Doing.