<p>To "bookend" Jamzmoms post "For the Incoming Class" here's Deepdrafts advice for the 2008 grads..</p>
<p>Work hard.</p>
<p>Try to learn from your mistakes. You WILL make them and hopefully, they will be small, no one will get hurt and you will only make them once.</p>
<p>Raise your license. The faster you do this the better. Cause every swinging dick has a thirds and no matter how good you are, you cant be promoted if you dont have the higher license. Separate yourself from the pack. (deckies should also work on getting "pilotage" endorsements)</p>
<p>Leave the class ring at home.. To be blunt, nobody gives 2 $hits where you graduated from. Just be ready and able to do the job.</p>
<p>Dont automatically equate a license or where someone went to school with them being competent or knowledgeable. Those are notions I held, that were quickly dispelled early in my career. They will be for you too.</p>
<p>Dont cop the attitude that youre "overqualified" for certain jobs or ships and it would be beneath you to take them because "Im young, fair haired, and gifted and I didnt go through 4 years of school to do that". Back when I was an AB with a 3rd Mates license mucking out No. 3 center tank on the old OREGON STANDARD those thoughts ran through my mind. And it didnt help to be working for a Neanderthal Bosun that displayed the intelligence of a "corkfender". No matter, I sucked it up, did my job, learned what I could from the experience and eventually I was sailing "topside".</p>
<p>Treat the unlicensed with respect. They can make or break you.</p>
<p>Dont stand in the bight.. or under a load.</p>
<p>Clear the groundtackle before entering port Its a good idea to "walk out" the picks too.</p>
<p>Pay close attention to the weather.</p>
<p>Remember the "craft" of seamanship is all about assuming that whatever can go wrong, will eventually do so. You must keep perpetually vigilant. No single navigation aid should ever be trusted, no piece of equipment should ever be operated untested. Nothing should be taken for granted. Even "negative reporting" should be treated with contempt. Dont neglect the old virtues of "lead, log and lookout".</p>
<p>Finally, if you're "in doubt" call the "Old Man" or the "Chief". Make sure to call in sufficient time for him to get there to help you, and not with just enough time that he arrives to only be a witness to an impending disaster. </p>
<p>To those of you going to sea in the Merchant Marine, welcome to the "Fellowship of the Craft", Good Luck, sail safe and may all your contacts be "burdened". </p>
<p>Ill be down below. Call me when the wind shifts </p>