Meet
deck officer apprentice
Mette nørgaard
Meet deck officer apprentice
mette nørgaard
Mette Nørgaard
Age: 24
Residence: Odense
School: SIMAC
Started in ESVAGT: 04-07-2022
The idea of an 8-16 job is not for me, which is why after my gap years I started my current education at SIMAC. I did not have contract with a shipping company yet, but asked ESVAGT if they were taking in cadetsdeck officer apprentices.
A month or so later, ESVAGT announced that they had started a new collaboration with SIMAC, and then I could start as a deck officer apprentice in the shipping company.
My name is Mette Nørgaard, and on this page I want to make you wiser about my everyday life at ESVAGT.
Five facts
Mette Nørgaard
Five facts
Mette Nørgaard
Well prepared for the start in esvagt
Starting course
Prior to my start in ESVAGT I met with Christina, who is in the office as Recruitment & Training Officer. She invited me on the vessel I was going to sail on. It was cool to see before your start.
I was on various courses in the first two weeks of my start, which all new employees go through before you can go sailing. That’s a pretty good way to start, I think.
You meet other new to the company and hear a lot of exciting things about the shipping company. I was also assigned a mentor, but I had such a good ongoing dialogue with Christina that it was not necessary.
On my first day of introduction, I also met my Fleet Manager Crew, Nanna, who explained to me a little about the collaboration we would have and how she could help me.
It was a calm start with many impressions.
First muster
A little less calm was my first muster, because on my first trip I got very seasick for three days. And to be honest I must say I was a little intimidated by it.
I didn’t say anything to the other crew members because I think it was a bit embarrassing, By the end of the trip though, I had gotten to know them better and told them.
And they just laughed, haha. Fortunately, you get used to sailing quickly, and I just think it’s important to talk about it, because it’s completely normal.
During the first muster you get many new impressions and experiences. I was well received by officers and deck crew. You get to know things well and get an understanding of what the different tasks are.
My colleagues were also really good at showing how to do the different things, and I quickly felt like part of the ‘pack’ on board.
... But what is it like to be a deck officer apprentice in ESVAGT?
It is exciting, and I am trying myself in many ways, because there are very varied tasks – among other things, I get to sail the vessel and communicate with the platform.
I am also planning some exercises that the crew will do. It’s great to plan them yourself because you want to make them exciting and realistic.
I am also lucky to have some colleagues who are good at giving me responsibility, and they always make sure that I am ready to take it. It makes me feel confident in the tasks I do.
And in general, we have good collaboration on ESVAGT CARINA, where we are good at communicating and helping each other if you need to do a task you have not done before. I think that’s cool!
When I’m out sailing, I also must fill out my training book, and many of the things that are in it, you get through quite naturally at a normal working day. There are some things you want to go into more depth with, so I often talk to one of the officers, and then we go through it together.
It is important that you keep an eye on the training book yourself and have it filled in continuously so that it is filled in correctly.
Although everyday life is rarely the same, I have tried to make a small timeline of what a day might look like as a deck officer apprentice.
Good morning
Look out duty
Breakfast
Inventory count of the hospital/initiative deck crew with chief officer/participate in deck work
Coffe break
Off/on duty depends on workload
Lunch
Tasks on the bridge
Off duty until 16:00
Look out duty
Dinner
Social activity
Time for studying
Good night
If you can imagine playing basketball on the deck in the sun or sitting in our common room beating your colleagues in 500, then you have the answer!
Yes, it’s great.
We have a very social life on board, and it was easy to become part of the community because people are very talkative and good at getting someone integrated.
On the vessel we also have several different activity options – among other things, we can play PlayStation, read books or play board games.
In general, there is plenty of time for social life if you prioritize it. Of course, there are also some who need more time for themselves, and there is also room for being yourself.
Personally, however, I like the socializing.
Although it is nice to be with the crew in your spare time, there is also a natural need for family and friends – but four weeks go by fast!
And you also have ongoing contact with them at home on social media, even though the internet* doesn’t always allow you to facetime.
However, the internet works fine for my needs, but of course it can vary depending on what needs you have – but it is possible to use all social media such as Messenger and Snapchat.
On my vessel, we are both Danish and Polish seafarers, which works well. I really think that the Polish colleagues are some great boys who are a big part of the community on board.
I’m also the only girl on my vessel, but it’s been easy for me to settle in because my colleagues have been reaching out to me to make sure I’m comfortable.
... where do i see myself in the future?
Once I have earned my sailing time, I will write my bachelor thesis. After that, I would like to sail in ESVAGT for a few years so that I can use some of the things I have learned.
I have a feeling that ESVAGT would like to keep us after graduation, so I am very positive about the possibilities of continuing in the shipping company.
In the longer term, I would like to sail long distances - and in the even longer term, maybe become a master.
But the next step is this summer when I go to ESVAGT OBSERVER. It will be exciting to try a new vessel and see what tasks I am met with there.
