Royal Fleet Auxiliary

[Supermario]

Hi Folks, Just wondering if there are any RFA seafarers on this Forum. I'm thinking about applying for a trainee place with them, and would appreciate any comments/advice you would be kind enough to offer. I'm familiar with the official website/careers brochures, but would be keen to get a better idea of the "life" in this branch of the Merchant Navy, the ups and downs, and any differences from say container ships, offshore vessels etc. What are the chances of getting in as a Rating? I know this is virtually impossible for us Brits on commercial vessels.

 

[prr]

There is a website called toysoutofthepram where you can ask about the RFA & recruitment etc.

 

[Supermario]

Thanks for that, good source of info

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Go for it! Bearing in mind that recruitment may be limited in the present climate of defence cuts.
You may hate it! You may love it! You will not know until you have tried it!
I had 38 years as Electrical officer/Systems Engineer. I loved every minute, all the ups and all the downs. I cannot compare it with containers and tankers in the commercial world but having met some people from the commercial side I never saw anything that would have made me want cross over. That is only my opinion.
I was in one ship with a trip of some six months, in the 70's, we were supporting the Ark Royal in the Carribean, US Eastern Seaboard and down to Rio for week before returning home via Gibralter. Runs ashore all round the carribean, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville and Norfolk, Viginia and of course Rio and Gib. The 2nd Mate, ex commercial, hated every minute. Moaned incessantly about being board etc, etc. I later learned that he was quite happily sitting in a crude carrier drifting around the Indian ocean for four months waiting for the oil price to rise before discharging in some remote refinery. Just goes to show that we are all different!
You must also remember that there is a military slant to life in the RFA. You cannot escape that, you are supporting the military, that is the job. Where you go, what you do and training all reflect that.
You will always meet moaners on board who will tell you how bad it all is. The Captain, Officers and P.O's are all rubbish and should have been drowned at birth etc. You usually find that for some reason they are still there next trip. You have to make your own mind up. If you get in and want to climb up the career ladder the steps are there.
As a rating you have a choice of Deck, Engine Room, Catering (Supply) or Communications. Having been retired for a few years I have no doubt that some things have changed since my day.
Anyway give it a go, you might like it! Whatever you decide. Good Luck!

 

[penfold]

Hi Folks, Just wondering if there are any RFA seafarers on this Forum. I'm thinking about applying for a trainee place with them, and would appreciate any comments/advice you would be kind enough to offer. I'm familiar with the official website/careers brochures, but would be keen to get a better idea of the "life" in this branch of the Merchant Navy, the ups and downs, and any differences from say container ships, offshore vessels etc. What are the chances of getting in as a Rating? I know this is virtually impossible for us Brits on commercial vessels.

My bold; a large proportion of deckhands on North Sea vessels(standby, supply and anchorhandlers) are UK nationals, it's still possible to start at the bottom if you want to.