Deck Cadet: Sarah Butler
From: Mallow, Co. Cork, Ireland
College status: In second year of training.
Sea time: 4 months on M.V. British Merlin, Now onboard LNG British Trader
Q: 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.
Q: How long is your college course?
My course is 3 years long. The first year is at college, the second on various ships, and the final year is spent back in college.
Q: 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.
Q: 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 and that can be upsetting.
Q: On your travels you have probably seen some nice places. Which would you visit again given the chance and why?
On my last ship I went to Bombay in India, which I really liked because it 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.
Q: What would you consider the best part of your job?
I love travelling and seeing new places. I really like the work I do which is the most important thing.
Q: 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.
Q: 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.
Q: What advice would you give anyone considering a career at sea?
I think you have to be totally sure it’s what you want to do. It’s very hard to leave home for 4 months at a time, but you will also get to see completely different places and meet lots of new people. It’s a very different career.