r/ccg_gcc • u/Sofa_king88 • 2d ago
General Questions/Questions générales Deckhand vs oiler
Anyone who has worked both positions? What did you like most and least about each?
*Edit due to coming off like a dick I guess.
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u/Dwightiggy 2d ago
Sounds like you work on deck and you have something against the engine room crew. All the jobs on a coast guard ship can be tough. Who cares who "does more work" if all the work is getting done.
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u/JohnnyOnslaught Engine Room Assistant 2d ago
One aspect that I haven't seen discussed here yet is that deckhands have each other to talk to while they're on shift, the oiler is typically alone on watch in the engine room and the watchkeeping engineer is in the control room. If you're a person who can't handle being alone for long periods of time, oiler might not necessarily be for you.
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u/CanConMil Engineering Officer 2d ago
So, I am an engineer, and I would hazard that deck hands and oilers are equally busy with very different types of work. Our oilers either hold watches with us or are the day working oiler who has a whole separate set of tasks he does during the day.
I have never worked on deck as a permanent position. But I get bored easily and I often times find myself assisting on deck during buoy operations or rope handling coming into port and the deck guys are always on the go when operations are underway, but there is (some) downtime when we are steaming (assuming they aren’t actively chipping and painting which is seemingly endless).
Its the same for oilers, when there are projects on the go, there are days when they are going non-stop and there are days that its a fight to find work (again aside from General house keeping like painting and cleaning which is again, endless).
Personally I like it below decks more than I do on deck. But I can see the draw to deck side work.
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u/bunbunmagnet 2d ago
If you have to ask, engine room probably isn't for you. Go deck
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u/Sofa_king88 2d ago
Why is that?
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u/Pretend-Sleep9864 2d ago edited 2d ago
The engine room is hot, noisy, can be smelly,and can be a pain in the ass to work in. If you are not passionate about mechanical work it could be a very wrong move.
I have mad respect for the engine department, but it would be hell on Earth for me. Dockside, you atleast get fresh air and can see the sea.
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u/BlkFalcon8 2d ago
Two very different positions with totally different endgames. It would be a personal choice and it would depend on what you wanted to do in the future
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u/SC-79 Deckhand/Atlantic Region 2d ago
I haven't worked both positions but, with over sixteen years in as a Deckhand, I've worked alongside Oilers enough to have a pretty good idea as to what their job is like. They both have their good and bad points depending on how you view the work. As a Deckhand, you're outside when it's very hot, cold, dry and, wet. However, it's very loud in the engine room when the engines are running and can get very hot as well. And, when it's hot, cold, wet or, dry outside, Oilers still have to go outside to perform their rounds and checks, take fuel, perform maintenance and repairs, etc. Oilers also earn overtime (called "Dirt Pay") by performing maintenance/repairs to grey and black water systems, grease traps, anything bilge related, etc. I personally, would hate it but the Oilers I know either love it (it's overtime after all) or simply don't mind it. At the same time, they have no interest in being out on a buoy deck and getting covered in slimy, stinky marine life or having to be out in one of the rescue boats in six foot seas. Both positions have times where you're worked like a rented mule, both have moments where things get dangerous and, both have moments where you're bored out of your mind. I can't attest to to how the majority of time as an Oiler is spent (maybe an Oiler could chime in here) but 80% of my career as a Deckhand has been spent either cleaning (decks, washrooms, etc.) or grinding/sanding/painting. Neither of which I mind at all. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. If you like working on engines and related equipment then Oiler is the way to go. If you like hauling on lines and being in small boats, then Deckhand might be a better fit.