Meet
Ordinary Ship's
assistant
Lukas Kilbak
Meet ordinary ship's assistant
LUKAS KILBAK
Lukas Kilbak
Age: 25
Residence: Kiel
School: Skoleskibet Georg Stage
Started in ESVAGT: 01-08-2021
I worked for one year as an apprentice as a car mechanic, but then me and a friend chose to apply for the training ship Georg Stage – and that became the foundation of my maritime career.
At Georg Stage we heard a lot about ESVAGT, and we also visited and got a tour of a C type cvessel and ESVAGT BETA. The same day I had a job interview in the office – and then I got the job.
My name is Lukas Kilbak, and I want to tell you more about life as an ordinary ship’s assistant in ESVAGT.
Five facts
Lukas Kilbak
Five facts
Lukas Kilbak
WELL PREPARED FOR THE START IN ESVAGT
Starting course
Like most other new employees, I started with a two-week course, and it went really well.
Prior to my start, I had received a number of emails from ESVAGT and external course providers with information about how the different days should go and what we should bring.
During the course we stayed at a hotel in Esbjerg, and in the evening, we had dinner together in the city for some of the days. It was very nice that you could talk to others who were in the same position as yourself.
First muster
My first muster was with ESVAGT CORNELIA, and here we had to muster via ESVAGT BETA, which is a crew-change vessel. We met on the quay in Esbjerg, where I quickly found the master and the other crew members.
On board ESVAGT BETA there was another ordinary ship’s assistant who explained to me how it all worked, and he also showed me a little around the vessel.
My first impression was generally very good, and on ESVAGT CORNELIA I also got a tour and was shown my own chamber with private shower and toilet.
... BUT WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE An ordinary ship's assistant IN ESVAGT?
It’s great because there are many different tasks and there is good cooperation on board with the other crew members.
As an ordinary ship’s assistant, the tasks may vary depending on the season. Some of the more common tasks are cleaning, maintenance, lubrication of crane/davit and various administrative tasks. In the summer there is a lot of painting, rust removal, and vessel maintenance.
But there are also tasks like welding and sailing the FRB, and that’s what I think is the coolest.
On ESVAGT CORNELIA there is no cook, which is why the assistants share the galley service. It was a task that I just had to get used to, as I don’t usually cook for eight people. But the other assistants are good at helping if you have challenges. And then I have drawn a safe card and made some pizza. The crew is always very pleased with that.
In our time as an ordinary ship’s assistant, we also have a training book that needs to be completed. We are responsible for it ourselves, but the master sometimes asks about the book and whether I have remembered to fill it out.
Today I sail with ESVAGT CAPRI, and here a typical working day will last 10 hours including breaks. It is always difficult to define a specific day, but I have still tried to make an overview of what a normal day can look like as an ordinary ship’s assistant in ESVAGT.
Good morning
Look out duty
Breakfast
FRB morning check and painting
Coffee break
More painting
Lunch
Sailing the FRB
Maintenance
Off duty
Workout or talking on the bridge
Dinner
Movie in the TV-room
Good night
... BUT IS IT EVEN FUN TO BE ON BOARD?
Yes! because it is possible to do many of the same things in your spare time as you do at home.
There is plenty of time to socialize on board and there are many different opportunities to do so.
Among other things, we have a nice, small ‘gym’ where you will find weights, various benches, and barbells as well as a new ‘training tower’.
When it comes to relaxing after a workout, we usually watch some movies in the TV room or play PlayStation.
One of the only things that isn’t exactly what it is at home is our internet*. You just have to get used to it, because a google search can take a little longer to load.
But communicating with your friends and family on either WhatsApp or Messenger is no problem.
Some holidays you will also have to spend on board the vessel, and it is an exciting experience. For example, I celebrated Christmas at ESVAGT CORNELIA.
Even though it wasn’t quite like being at home and you missed the family, I had a really good experience with it. Read my digital Christmas card and hear a little more about Christmas on an ESVAGT vessel.
... WHERE DO I SEE MYSELF IN THE FUTURE?
I only need three more musters before I have earned my 12 months of sailing time as an ordinary ship's assistant. I want to continue in the maritime sector, which is why I am going to school to become an able ship’s assistant, which takes 20 weeks.
After that, I want to come back to ESVAGT, and fortunately I know that ESVAGT is happy to take people back in after they have been back in school, so I am already looking forward to that hopefully becoming an opportunity for me as well.
I am very happy to work in ESVAGT, and I therefore want to continue my career there. In the long term, I may want to go further, but I do not know whether it should be the engineer route or the navigator route.
