What do they do all day at sea?

[RATTER15]

My good lady Carakeel and myself were walking the dogs along the Bideford key this evening and looking at a huge cargo vessel moored up and waiting to load with wood apparently.

I couldn't help wondering what the crew does all day. When they load and unload it is all done by cranes etc. What does the crew do?

We dont have a shipping section, I wasn't sure where to put this.

[penelope2]

<What do the crew do all day.>
Cruise I guess!

[annadomino]

I think they have duties including cooking, cleaning, clerical, and in the case of fishing vessels, net and boat maintenance.
Yes the cranes unload and load, but some of the crew are also used as banksmen.
In the case of ballast boats, the crew 'clear corner to middle' etc. Same with coal and cereal cargoes.

[DTCwordfan]

lots of safety checks on the ship to be done

and drinking.

[Maydup]

Play I-spy mostly

[daisya]

I think you will find they do general maintainence to keep the shop in good condition, look after the cargo and generally do painting etc etc...I should imagine it's hard work but they get their time off on board.

[RATTER15]

I was thinking about all of the above but still cant believe that it would be full time though.

I could be wrong.

[daisya]

Well it's their home as well whilst at work....I know someone from that sort of life and yes it is a full time job....with time off just like a land based job. Nice if you like travelling the high seas...get everything you need plus living accommodation and a job to boot...we're just landlubbers lol.

[Maydup]

I reckon there are only a few of people on board these days and between them they sail and maintain the ship, cook, sleep and do their chores.

I wish I'd ask that question Ratter, becaused you'd have had "best answer" I'm sure.

What do you think they do all day at sea?

[DTCwordfan]

Dog walking, that's what they do. Tthey walk dogs all day long up and down the decks, dogs such a Mast-iffs; dogs with names like "Customs,"Pot," and "Excise."

[rowanwitch]

I'll point Redman in the direction of this thread ... but these days x box...playstation and wii...as well as all the maintenance, checks ,, reading, playing cards I suspect... watching out for somali pirates...

[RATTER15]

Does it pay well, I wouldn't imagine it would?

No its ok, im not thinking of a new job, Im the worlds worst for sea sickness :( I would love to just get on one of these ships and have look around though.

I would love to experience a major storm on board a ship, I did cross the Bay of Biscay in a storm 10 but because we were warned I hit the bar hard. I slept through the storm but had recollections of being upright on my head and on my feet as the ship rode huge waves.

[rowanwitch]

Wish I'd known Redman in his seagoing days as apparently wives/partners were allowed along for some of the trips.... to sail through a hurricane with waves breaking higher than the ship must be amazing...and to have seen so much of the world.... I envy him the things he saw... the glow of volcanoes....waterspouts...whales and dolphins .... not sure about the ladyboys of bangkok though

[Old_Geezer]

They mend nets, sing sea shanties, and dance the hornpipe.
'tis well known.

[sandyRoe]

Churchill believed that they whiled away the hours with 'rum, sodomy, and the lash'.

[Ankou]

some possible pointers here

http://en.wikipedia.o...transport#Life_at_sea

[redman41]

When I was at Sea many moons ago now, the Chief Officer was responsible for the loading and unloading of the Ship. Cargo has to be loaded in a balanced way so that the ship does not break its back. It also has to be loaded in the order of 1st to last Port of call so that there is easy access to the Cargo in the correct order.
When the Ship is at Sea the Officers have to keep regular Watches on a Rota Basis as the Ship is under 24hr Supervision.
The Crew do maintenance work along with other duties.
Everyone has to be fed so you have Cooks/Chefs and Stewards etc.
For Entertainment, so much Electronic stuff these days to keep everyone amused such as DVD's, Xboxes etc etc.
When in Port and not working plenty to do ashore what ever one fancies....Boozing, Whoring etc etc and sightseeing !!!

[jno]

boozing sounds likely. Swigging in the rigging.