What I’ve been doing for the last 3 months

Will Nicholls

3 min read

·

Feb 16, 2019

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I wanted to briefly recap the last 3 months and quickly show you what I have actually been up to for the past 3 months whilst working as a deckhand/engineer on a super yacht. So let’s just rewind to the first day on board…

Here’s a list of just a few things I’ve done

1. I’ve cleaned out all the sewage from the hamman system
2. I’ve exercised valves so they don’t seize up
3. I’ve learned what to do if the boat goes into blackout
4. Learned how to remove and clean the sea chest filters
5. Learned how to reset the MPA system
6. I’ve emptied bilges more times than I can remember
7. I’ve assisted with testing the engines
8. I’ve helped install a new strainer for the grey water tank.
9. I’ve also cleaned this strainer a hundred times over
10. I’ve changed and replace the fuel separator filters
11. Helped with the overall installation of a new secondary chiller pump
12. Learned how to use the oily water separator
13. Cleaned the teak on the deck
14. I then became the “chief engineer” for 12 days and was given the task of repainting the steering bilge.
15. tested the emergency shut off for the fuel lines
16. I learned how to test the hardness of the water coming into the boat and learned how to adjust the water softeners.
17. Pop riveted a deck-head panel back on
18. Replaced the filters for the diesel fuel water separators for the generators
19. Cleaned out the inside of the grey water tank
20. I was constantly tightening any loose fittings and connections in the pipe work
21. I learned how to tip up the generators and main engines with oil.
22. I helped with the generator load bank testing
23. I cleaned and painted the other bilges
24. I helped fix a boiler that was leaking
25. I helped with installing the stainless steel table for the new pump for the chiller unit.
26. Painted more bilges, this time with a proper mask
27. Did a full wash-down by myself
28. Took charge of the engine room again whilst the chief was away
29. I fixed a leak coming from the chiller unit
30. Prepped for a viewing making the engine room look brand new
31. Tested the fire dampers
32. Learned how a centrifugal oil separator works and took four apart and cleaned them out
33. I was involved in getting the life rafts off the boat.
34. I Cleaned out the strainers for the oil separators
35. Greased the thrusters and stabilisers
36. I cleaned out the biggest sea chests we have onboard.

As well as producing content to hopefully give some value to those wanting to start out in the industry.

I’ve always been a fan of telling it how it actually is rather than fantasising about how others think or want it to be. I’m not trying to sell you the job, the industry or the lifestyle I’m just here to share my experience and let you decide for yourself whatever you want about joining it or forming an opinion on it.

I’m really looking forward to doing more of this kind of stuff in the next few months and I’m interested to see how the summer will compare to the winter.

Thanks so much for watching the videos, listening to the podcast or reading about my experiences in the super yachting industry it really does mean a lot!

Thanks so much for reading this, I hope it brought some value to you. If you want to see more of my content come say Hi to me on these platforms:

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