Boiler Suits

shutterbugC

5-Year Member
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Apr 27, 2010
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My DS is not taking his boiler suit from school on the ship. Need to buy one. What brand and where do you suggest we get one?

Thanks.
 
Dickies is just fine. You can get them at Sears or Penny's, I can never remember which, if you want a really quality product try Duluth Trading Company. The other thing you can do for work wear is buy about 4 sets of clothes from a second hand store.
 
My DS has clothing from a second hand store. Jeans mostly. bought t-shirts (undershirts) that will be thrown away. Just wanted a boiler suit for when he is off work and needs to look like an engineer.
 
My DS has clothing from a second hand store. Jeans mostly. bought t-shirts (undershirts) that will be thrown away. Just wanted a boiler suit for when he is off work and needs to look like an engineer.
Depending on the company the First may give him a set or two from the 'gold locker' otherwise you can buy a couple of pair. I would suggest all cotton. They're cooler and breathe better.. also safer than a poly/cotton blend. Ditto KPEngineer's suggestion on the 'second hand' store for filling out your 'sea bag'
 
We purchased boiler suits on line from an automotive work clothing company because they were fire retardant. Safer when working at welding. Also, we bought them at least one size larger. My DS said that when bending over working in a tight spot with the engine room temperature at 110 degrees+, the last thing you need is your boiler suit riding up your butt. Yes, you don't look as great in them as when they are very fitted, but boy, are you a lot more comfortable and able to work better.
 
Our DS loved Carharts. And still does. Good advice from all... esp natural fibers (won't MELT and cause worse burns in case of spattered molten metal, or other heat source).

We loved Fastenal (sp?)... and there seemed to be one in whichever port DS wound up in. Basic/GOOD hearing protection had excellent selection.. they wanted DS to avoid the 'noise cancelling' ear protection -- so that verbal instructions wouldn't be affected. I'm sure others will have more current information/suggestions. there ARE hearing protection earplugs and stuff on all the ships.

BTW, whether your Mid is on a tanker, or just rolling around in a diesel engine room, or somewhere else.... when you open the suitcase (or plastic 'garbage bag' luggage) containing those first Boiler suits that come back (Nay, ALL the work clothes that come back), the fumes smell like they could spontaneously combust if they got near a spark ;) )

ME: "dear, I think these things are going to need several go-rounds in the washer"
Dear Wife: "Don't you EVEN get those things near my washing machine. Take those things directly to the trash can... carefully, and try not to have them burst into flame on the way ;)"
 
Cotton coveralls (boiler suit) for sure. Good advice to stay away from the poly. An engineer from the class of 79 was seriously burned in a boiler fire when her poly coveralls melted to her skin, back in 1981. I was hanging out at the union hall with her brother when it happened. (not trying to scare, but it is a possibility). I am not so sure if fire retardant is really necessary, in spite of the foregoing. Cotton would not have melted.

Yes, it can be VERY HOT, especially when in tropical waters. Something to think about when purchasing work clothes.

A couple of long sleeve work shirts for welding, although often there are welding "leathers" to protect from the radiant heat and spatter.

Just don't overthink things.
 
Our DS loved Carharts. And still does.
Yep.. I used to live in Carhartt work clothes when I was sailing Chief Mate. I had a couple pair of the double knee heavy cotton duck pants that lasted 5 years of rough service. They wear like iron.
I recommend these... > http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/...51&productId=53494&langId=-1&categoryId=10934

Many of the engineers I sailed with favored the Carhartt bib overalls.. Carhartt also makes an insulated coverall for cold weather and canvas utility work shorts for warm weather..
shutterbugC said:
Going on a Maersk ship so do you know if they give them out?
I don't know about Maersk.. To be on the safe side I'd bring a couple of pair.
 
Went to Sears and Penny's. Didn't find Carharts but did find Dickies. Didn't find the boiler suits in either place. Will try WalMart next unless I get other suggestions where to look. Army Navy store? Too late to order. DS leaves on Tues.
 
I don't know where you are located, but you might want to check any industrial supply stores in your area, too. A couple of years ago, I needed a pair of fire retardant coveralls to do some surveys on platforms offshore in the Gulf, and I was out of town and didn't have any with me (on another job). I stopped at a local industrial supply store and got exactly what I needed.
 
Personally I prefer pants and a shirt. Boiler suits come in such a limited range of sizes that I always found it hard to find a pair that were comfortable to work in. I did have one pair for loungewear in the evenings.
 
DS wanted the boiler suit just for when he was off work. He is working in jeans, Dickie pants and t-shirts.
 
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