Picture: Pekka Karppanen, MEPA

Different factors affect the OBT-placement

Every ship is different and thus every OBT is different. Ships set the framwork for OBT and HarjoitteluMylly then finds a suitable apprentice for each ship. Listed below (in random order) are a few factors that affect the allocation and receiving of OBT-placements.

  • Basic Safety Training must be completed (Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Survival Techniques, and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities).
  • Special diet: Not all ships have the resources to offer a special diet. HarjoitteluMylly tries, to the best of its ability, to find the best ship for your diet.
  • Duration of OBT-placement: HarjoitteluMylly does not offer a placement that significantly exceeds the duration of the desired OBT-period specified by the student. For this reason it is utterly important that the application at all times has the correct start and end date.
  • Language skills: All vessels have a specified working- and safety language that the apprentice must have proficiency in.
  • Students with less than 60 days at sea (not yet entitled to a watchkeeping rating certificate) and especially first-timers will primarily be sent for OBT.
  • Supply and demand affect how quickly a placement can be obtained.
  • The seafarer’s medical certificate must be valid for the whole duration of the placement.
  • Earned sea days affect the type of OBT; compare OBT for rating or officer.
  • Date of activation of the application. Each time you change the desired start or end date of your OBT in your profile, the application date changes.
  • The tourist- and seafarer’s passports must be valid throughout the OBT-period.
  • Adult or minor: Passenger ships and certain cargo ships do not accept minor-age apprentices.