I am a greenhorn as well, and I talk out of what little experience I got, so if any other more experienced see fault, please correct me.
What the above say, no matter if you are hawsepipe or a bookworm, first timers should always make sure there is coffee and such.
What I do and as my menthor commented, you gonna reach far in a short time.
I do whatever is being said, and the first six months I told myself that whatever was told me was serious business, even the jokes. Better to be the center of a joke or stopped than missinterperate. Even do work when you are offduty if they need help, work overtime and get the job done than, if the job takes a long time, than just drop your shit and leave it for another. Learn how to use a mop, never crack jokes for a loonngg time, take it and grit your teeth together.
Yes to assignments, if asked or volunteer, even if it is not apart if your job.
Never lie, never done the job? Say Yes, I have never done it, but seen some other dude (if you have) do it, so I’ll give it a try. Never done the job? Say so! They are not impressed when shit goes awry onboard. Better to ask a question too much, regardless of how dumb it is, than screwing up. They will know you are fresh off the carpet, they expect you to hardly know how to breathe almost.
My dad joked a lot, now I view his jokes as a lesson well learnt, he bred and raised me for the sea. He said a lot
When I tell you to jump, son, you ask how high and you do not land before told so!
In a scene where some superiors talk about things you do know, do not be brash and tell them, hell I know this stuff, do as I say…a good way is more a subtle way like…
What if blah blah, insert answer here, add a ?. People, no matter age and such likes to ve trampled on, especially shown they are wrong by an inferior.
Dad also told me, listen to everyone, even the lowest wiper. Many times did he face a problem that him nor his 1st, 2nd or third managed to fix, but that an inferior said. Perhaps some stuff are åring, but led them, due the way he thought, to fix the problem.
When you got nothing to do, read! In my case, when I was done cleaning and such, no idea what I’d do next, I read the engine manuals, still do! Just tell them you are done with your task, ask if they got other assignment, if not, ask if you can read the manuals. Read them again and again AND again…until you know even what stands on what page.
Tells them you are interested in your line of work, willing to learn and an awesome force at work.