Interview With a Cadet Onboard SS British Trader

Deck Cadet: Sarah Butler
Sea time: 4 months on M.V. British Merlin. Now onboard LNG carrier, SS British Trader for 4 months

When did you first consider a career at sea and why?
I first started to consider it in my 4th year of secondary school. I was trying to decide what I wanted to do and I read about this course in a college prospectus.

How long is your college course?
My course is 3 years long. The first year is at college, then the second year is spent on various ships, and the final year is spent back in college.

Did you find your chosen course difficult to keep up with?
There is a lot of work to do. First year subjects include applied maths and science. It can be quite easy to fall behind if you don’t keep on top of it.

Is there something you really enjoy about going to join a ship?
You do feel excited about joining a new ship and meeting new people, but apart from that it can be quite hard because you’ve just left your family and friends for 4 months and that can be very upsetting.

On your travels you have probably seen some nice places, which you visit again given the chance and why?
On my last ship I went to Bombay in India, which I really liked because its was so unlike anywhere I had been before. I think my favourite has to be Singapore. It’s a really clean city and everyone was so friendly.

If you could only bring three personal items onboard what would they be?
My photos, my ipod and my favourite book.

What would you consider the best part of your job?
I love travelling and seeing new places, but I really like the work I do which is the most important thing.

And the worst part?
I really miss my family and my boyfriend. It can be hard sometimes, phone calls are very expensive so the only real way to contact home is by email.

Do you actually get to see much wildlife while at sea?
I haven’t seen that much, only schools of dolphins really!

Is the food onboard as good as at home?
The food is very good here and there is a great selection but nothing can beat home cooking!

Do you find it difficult being the only female on a male-crewed ship?
Not really, I don’t think it does or should make that much of a difference. Everyone is here to do a job and you try your best to get on with everyone. I would like to see more women at sea though! You do miss female company sometimes but it’s really not much of an issue.

What advice would you give anyone considering a career at sea?
I think you have to be totally sure its what you want to do. It’s very hard to leave home for 4 months at a time and you have to make sacrifices. You will miss out of weddings and birthdays, but you will also get to see completely different places and meet lots of new people. It’s a very different career, as Alan says, not many jobs will pay you to travel the world!