Sea Year Computer Question

shutterbugC

shutterbugC

5-Year Member
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Apr 27, 2010
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My DS will go on his first Sea Year come this summer. I would like to be prepared as best as possible. Does anyone know what programs he will need on his computer to do his Sea Project? He is Engineer.

Would a second computer be the best thing for him to take with an external hard drive or just the one he was issued. I know that DOIT disenabled the USB ports and don't know if they will enable them before he goes to sea.

For those that have gone or at sea now, I would appreciate the help.

Any other advice would be appreciated as well.

Thanks,
 
My DS took a small second computer ($275) to also use for the sea project as insurance. Be sure to take a surge protector to protect both computers. There were no special programs needed other than Microsoft Word. He also took several thumb drives as further back-up protection. His school computer also went (the ports are unlocked by the school before he left for sea.)

Something that was really helpful - a light box - made the drawing go much quicker. We bought it on line at Walmart for about $25. Definitely worth the money. As he gets closer scan the forum for ideas of stuff to bring. We used the school's list as a guide. Bought an extra boiler suit that was fire resistant for use when welding. Got it online from an Auto supplier. Make sure it is very roomy, they are bending alot and crawling into tight spaces. A boiler suit riding up your butt isn't very comfortable to work in. We gave him a new pair of steel toed shoes for Christmas last year that he loved - much more comfortable than the pair from school and necessary with being on their feet on steel deck for long periods of time. At the end of the sea term he said we hadn't missed much of what he needed, so that was good.

One final important thing to take on sea year - a good attitude. Tell the chief you know that you know nothing and that you are here to learn. Leave the chip on your shoulder home!!
 
DS just finished his second sea year and just used the issued computer for 2012. He worked in a shipyard in San Diego and had issues with the screen while there. Dell came to his location and ended up replacing video card, screen and keyboard for him. DS said it seems like a new machine after that. Hopefully it will last until June of 2012. :rolleyes:

DS never mentioned needing any other programs.
 
thank you. He mentioned just wanting a Notebook and didn't know if that would be the logical choice since I believe a Notebook doesn't have Word on it? Am I correct?

Thanks for the other suggestions.
 
We bought our DS a notebook and an external hard drive for it. He also took a light table. He is out at sea now and I think all is well.
He also had extensive lists and advice from upper classmen and handled the majotity of packing on his own.
 
List of Sea Year Gear

We followed the list on the parents website Sea Year Guide and had good luck with it. My DS is an engine cadet, so he found additional items valuable such as:

rechargeable flashlight
shorts/jeans/tshirt/golf shirt for going ashore
watch cap
bandanna
Light rain coat
1 polar fleece - light and dries fast
Long sleeve underwear like ski stuff - warm and light weight
sea sick pills - non drowsy type for day/ other type for night
Toiletries regular stuff plus
foot powder such as Gold Bond anti fungal
Jock itch creams (the engine room is hot!!! 120 degrees and they are sweating alot there)
Face Scrub and washes - to get out the engine oil that they are constantly covered in. Face scrubs with some grit like Apricot face scrub work best.

Paper work:
Follow the Sea Year Guide plus:
Extra photocopies of all paperwork, if possible scan documents into home computer so that stuff could be e-mailed if necessary. Definitely extra photocopies of passport, twic card, merchant mariners documents should be taken and one set kept home. Makes replacement much easier in case they get lost.

Take extra passport photos.
Don't leave home without checking to see if all paperwork is in order and in the sea bag. Staple to folder so stuff doesn't fall out inadvertently.
Light table for drawing
Small note pad to take notes onboard
Ear Protection
 
Along the way, at some point, make sure you scan pay stubs and ANY forms/etc that you turn into ATRs office for your sea-days.

(I'd email a copy to student email account (or gmail) as well as ATR, with read receipt requested. It makes having to produce the paperwork AGAIN much easier when it's searchable on your laptop). Just for insurance.
[Although this is sorta OT, just thought it was important on the BACKEND of sea time]
 
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If at all possible, I suggest DS or DD should get you a power of attorney giving you authority to act on their behalf with bills and banks while they are gone. During her first sea term, DD had trouble with access to her NFCU account. Because we did not have a power of attorney, we could not do anything to help. This time she was able to get us one, so of course she is mostly sitting in port in the U.S. :rolleyes: Still, better safe than sorry and ship #2 this term may keep her away more. We did not need an attorney for this. We got the form from the local Navy Fleet and Family Support Center and they notarized it there.

DD is engine and never felt the need to carry a light box, either her first Sea Term or this time. She did choose to carry two lighter bags, rather than one, stuffed and heavy bag. That way she also left herself space for anything she buys. :thumb:
 
I want to thank everyone for their advice. I will go over this with my DS when he is here for Christmas break. Also, thanks for reminding me about scaning all the paper work and ID's he has. We did this as well as insurance cards for our kids when my husband and I traveled overseas several years ago.
 
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