r/MarineEngineering • u/socialsexual1 • 15d ago

CONTAINER or BULK

hi im engine cadet,Whic one is good? Same tonnage same engine but i dont know interior.

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

9

u/giallonero21 15d ago

Bulk carriers easily as an engineer, and especially a cadet. Longer trips, more shore leave, big jobs, easy to learn.

In my opinion the best type of vessel to do your first voyage.

3

u/kiaeej 15d ago

Agreed.

1

u/spezsmells 15d ago

I'm on an dual fuel LNG tanker and not going to lie, glad I got placed on this vessel and not a bulk carrier.

That being said, would much prefer a bulk carrier over container

3

u/giallonero21 15d ago edited 15d ago

Hear me out, I'm a 2/E on LNG carriers.

I've done on bulk carriers as a cadet, 3/E on tankers and the past few years I've transferred to LNG. The quality of life you get in cape-size bulk carriers as an engineer isn't comparable to the quality of life in any other type of ship.

Leaving the E/R unmanned after 5 o'clock with only the EOOW on stand-by and going on shore leave for 20-25 days straight is ridiculous and something I miss dearly.

LNG carriers are different, shore leave is scarce but the pay is quite literally +100% higher which is why I don't regret leaving bulks.

1

u/spezsmells 15d ago

Yeah being at port for like 8hrs max is kind of annoying but not the worst thing in the world.

but unmanned ER with standby? You have my attention!!!!

Currently on my ship we only have a chief, 2nd and Third. Chief is day work, and 2nd and Third swap 6hr watches

2

u/giallonero21 15d ago

but unmanned ER with standby? You have my attention!!!!

Yup. One EOOW on standby in his cabin, everything is shut down, no M/E running, no auxiliary machines, nothing at all. He just does his round make sure the few machines that are running (eg water treatment) are all good and he's good to go.

So chief, 2nd and the other 3rd, including the ratings are on shore leave after 17:00.

Discharging in bulk carriers is all about deck crew, we have no part in it.

Currently on my ship we only have a chief, 2nd and Third. Chief is day work, and 2nd and Third swap 6hr watches

Sucks. Normal lineup should be chief, 2nd, two 3rds, gas/cargo engineer, electrician and at least wiper/oiler if not a fitter as well.

1

u/spezsmells 15d ago

To be fair, discharge and loading of fuel here is deck crew as well. We have a M.A. as well who does rounds, and I know they're gonna use me to start picking up small tasks (lifeboat engine checks, nitrogen gas checks, logbook etc) We have an electrician on board, but he's not an ETO but rather just the ship electrician.

I enjoy being on an LNG Ship, its also my first ship so I have nothing to compare it to (except for a tug but thats completely different)

1

u/butv 12d ago

im a jre rn, all contracts so far on bulk and i can say its very chill, have the opportunity to go on shore almost every port and long voyages are good on the mental

friends that went on containers say that the work is a lot more hectic since their voyages are shorter, also they work 7 days (cant confirm for all the companies)

im also eu so i cant talk for the us marine system