Who's navigating? Keeping the right attitude (Feb 2019)
In this issue, we talk to OOW Boris Petkov, currently serving onboard M/T Searunner, about his marine career to date and his experiences of going through an onboard assessment. His advice to others facing their first assessment? Don’t be nervous.
Name: Boris Petkov
Current position: OOW, M/T Searunner
Training: Studied navigation at the Technical University of Varna, Bulgaria; Thenamaris training programme
What interested you in a career at sea?
My brother-in-law was a sailor. He worked as an engineer. We also had lots of family friends that were sailors. Their stories inspired me when I was a child and nourished my interest in navigation. I was also curious to challenge myself and find out if I could handle this way of living that is completely different from life on shore.
What career path has led to your current position?
After graduating from high school in 2012, I decided to study navigation at the Technical University of Varna in Bulgaria. In 2016, I joined the Thenamaris training programme as an apprentice officer, graduating from there in 2017. After six more months of serving as an apprentice officer for Thenamaris, I was able to obtain my OOW licence in 2018. In September 2018, I was promoted to OOW onboard the vessel M/T Searunner.
What are the greatest rewards and challenges from your life at sea?
For me, every day onboard is a challenge and I`m trying to do my best. When I was an apprentice my main goal was preparing myself for the OOW position. My promotion was my greatest reward for my efforts at that time. But I`m not stopping here because I’m trying constantly to improve myself.
How did you feel the first time you experienced a navigational assessment? Was there anything that surprised you?
To be honest, at the beginning I was a bit nervous, but I also found it really pleasant as an experience. During the time I spent with the assessor, I learned things from him that I find very useful today.
How did the experience change how you did your job afterwards?
The assessor showed us how we can relax into the work we do on the bridge and now I’m feeling more confident in the way I work.
Do you have any tips for officers expecting a navigational assessment
Yes, don’t be nervous! The assessor can show you other aspects about work on the bridge, so try to learn and make the most of the time you have with them.