ECO Captains - What to Pack

For someone who is going to be a 1600 ton master / DP trainee, what does one NOT need to pack? (As in, what does the company provide?) Sheets, blankets, pillows, soap, etc?

What work clothes does one need? Steel toe boots? Clothes suitable for deck work? Or is the whole time spent in the wheelhouse?

Seriously? You are a captain you will never hit the deck unless you want to no matter the company. All companies require steel toes. Most provide you with a hard hat and work vest. You may even get some logo t shirts to wear until your uniform issue arrives. A top notch company like Chouest will have plenty of clean linens etc onboard.

They give you a list at orientation. No provided uniforms but you can but t shirts and polls cheap from them if you want.

Polo’s…dang autocorrect

Is there any need to have rain gear? Any use of steering stations not in the wheelhouse?

All the boats I’ve seen, every station is in the wheel house.

The boats have sheets blankets pillows etc. I suggest packing light until u get a steady boat as you will float around some. You will not get uniforms. No sleeveless shirts. Pack normal work clothes. No shorts unless off duty, bring your toiletries and pack a hoodie or jacket bc it gets cold in the wheelhouse. There is not one outside station for driving. Nice boats and kept clean. Message me if you have any more questions.

Rain gear is always nice you may have walk to a meeting on the dock or make crew change in the rain. They do not own a vessel I have ever seen with out door controls. The bridge is wrap around on their osv’s.

Not to be a smart ass but it seems to me that someone that has a 1600 ton should know all of that already.

[QUOTE=CaptHH;64695]The boats have sheets blankets pillows etc. I suggest packing light until u get a steady boat as you will float around some. You will not get uniforms. No sleeveless shirts. Pack normal work clothes. No shorts unless off duty, bring your toiletries and pack a hoodie or jacket bc it gets cold in the wheelhouse. There is not one outside station for driving. Nice boats and kept clean. Message me if you have any more questions.[/QUOTE]

no shorts?? damn that would suck. i guess no tennis shoes or dock-siders either?

I have not worked for eco or on OSVs. Tugs have seeing stations on the stern (outside) and some tug companies, for example, provide work gloves and safety goggles, some don’t. I wanted to know about a specific company in asector of the industry I have not worked.

ECO supplies you with work vest and hard hat. They’ll have safety glasses and work gloves on the boat. The only PPE you need is steel-toes.

As others mentioned, every boat will have washer and dryer as well as sheets, blankets, pillows, towels. A lot of guys bring their own bedding, towels, etc., but I recommend you just get by on what is provided for the first hitch or two until you see what’s available and nail down a permanent berth. Sometimes Chouest will move you around on short notice so you want to pack light. I’ve never used rain gear in 3+ years.

As “training captain” you will spend most of your time on the bridge. Your time on deck will be primarily for orientation and inspection of safety gear but probably no dirty deck work.

PM me if you want more details.

Bring one set of get dirty clothes if you want any respect, if I have to explain why… well… then good luck.

Be prepared to do some work on deck as a training captain. ECO requires 2 people on the bridge at the rig and underway, but at the dock I have seen many days with time spent on deck with the crew doing maintenance. That being said I have also seen plenty of lead captains getting their hands dirty over the past 3 years.

Chouest? Kneepads, lubricant, and an orange dress should be on the list.

Ohhhhhh Man…

That’s just WRONG !

Have a few questions about Chouest, if anyone could give me some info it would be appreciated alot. Sat next to a chief who works for them on my plane ride home the other day and he had nothing but good things to say, gave me his card and wanted me to call thier office when ever i was ready. How are things down there for a licensed assistant engineer on an OSV ??? Im very happy where im at, like the company and the crew. finishing up my DDE right now and just wanted to hear from some guys who are there or have been there. Im looking for 28-14, and the money was outrageous, i asked him to repeat it 3 times just so i heard him right, so can anyone shed some light on if im making a mistake applying there in a few months ??

You are a captain you will never hit the deck unless you want to no matter the company.