The British
Merchant Navy

As an island nation, we depend on the sea for 95% of our trade and for our security.

A career at sea in the Merchant Navy, or the fishing industry is both challenging and rewarding, and can lead to a wide range of other careers in the maritime sector ashore.

Letters
from those who chose
a life at Sea

The
Merchant Navy Careers Handbook
could be the best investment you've ever made at just £17

DOWNLOAD IT  HERE

Back to HOME Page

[Order form] [Letter 1] [Letter 2] [Letter 3] [Related links]

Vernon Coad
MM1; RFA Gold Rover

Vernon at work onboard RFA Gold Rover Vernon wrote about his life as a marine mechanic and his love of the sea.

My name is Vernon Coad and I am half way through a four month trip on the Caribbean tanker RFA Gold Rover.

I joined the Royal Navy at the age of 15, serving just over 24 years. With a certain amount of yo-yoing I reached the rate of Petty Officer mechanic.

After leaving the RN I took employment as a bus driver in my home county of Cornwall. After six years of that I had had enough and looked to come back to sea.

I was offered a few other placements with other sea going concerns but I felt I knew the RFA having worked alongside it so to speak in my RN days.

So May 98 saw me sailing off to Cyprus aboard RFA Sir Geraint.

I thought with a six year gap I might be a little rusty, but it was as if I’d never been away.

My typical day aboard RFA Gold Rover is that I am currently the 4 o’clock till 8 o’clock watch keeper in the engine room

In addition to assisting the engineer of the watch with all his wonders to perform.

I monitor and log the oil levels, water levels, pressures and temperatures on the two main engines, 8 diesel generators, gearing and all other auxiliary machinery which includes air compressors, air conditioners, boilers, various pumps and steering gear to name just a few.

Fuel, oil and sullage tanks also come under my wing; keeping bilges dry; and fuel to ready use tanks for all the thirsty machinery that require it.

My eight hours off are spent in catching up on a little lost sleep and depending on what time of the day it is, a drink in the bar, or a movie on TV in my cabin. I might even get a bit of sunshine, and there’s plenty of that around this part of the world!

This trip on the Gold has, to say the least, been bearable. The ports we have visited have been lovely; and apart from the odd deluge the weather has been fantastic.

In harbour we mostly work 6 on and 12 off and getting a watch off by way of a stand in day work motorman we can normally get a full day off for a little R&R. This depends on essential maintenance or repairs to machinery.

In conclusion, contrary to popular belief, my wife Magi did not drive me back to sea. She knows where I’m happy. Also being the brains in our partnership, she did the groundwork and motivating to get me where I am today.

My step children Ben, Katie, Danielle, Emily and new addition grandson Jacob Reece are always happy to have me home after a four month trip, not just because the cooker will need a clean. But they realise that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Motorman 1 may not be very far up the food chain but the camaraderie and team spirit at this level I believe is second to none.

More letters

Merchant Navy Employment and Careers Handbook - Order it now.

The Merchant Navy Careers Handbook is published exclusively in the United Kingdom by Beauforts Offshore Projects.

© 2007-2008 Beauforts Offshore Projects. All Rights reserved.

[Order form] [Letter 1] [Letter 2] [Letter 3] [Related links]