what does HOLD mean??? is this good or bad????

[deepdraft1]

Well to those still waiting, if it's any consolation, my oldest son received his appointment on 5 June.. That was back in 2001. I remember him telling me that there were a handful of his classmates that had been appointed even later than he had.. Remember, even after accepting, a kid can have a change of heart, get injured or have other circumstances that might preclude them from matriculating.. and that opens up a slot for someone from the NWL.. If you look back at the 2021 appoint thread, the latest appoint was accepted on 19 June..

Thank you for the encouraging words, but those of us still in Hold status know that the odds are shortening every day... it's hard to keep the faith! I am sure I am not the only parent who is balancing hope and the realistic chances of getting the appointment.

Well, it's not the end of the world if your kid doesn't get in this go round.. My son was denied the first year he applied.. The second time he had pretty much figured he would get the TWE again when he got the call from Kings Point.. He graduated in 2005. My younger son never even applied to KP because his high school grades and SAT scores were so mediocre.. He ended up going the state schoolship route and is currently sailing on a deep sea ship as Chief Mate.. If your desire is to sail as a licensed officer in the maritime industry there are other paths toward achieving that goal..

 

[cmakin]

Well to those still waiting, if it's any consolation, my oldest son received his appointment on 5 June.. That was back in 2001. I remember him telling me that there were a handful of his classmates that had been appointed even later than he had.. Remember, even after accepting, a kid can have a change of heart, get injured or have other circumstances that might preclude them from matriculating.. and that opens up a slot for someone from the NWL.. If you look back at the 2021 appoint thread, the latest appoint was accepted on 19 June..

Thank you for the encouraging words, but those of us still in Hold status know that the odds are shortening every day... it's hard to keep the faith! I am sure I am not the only parent who is balancing hope and the realistic chances of getting the appointment.

Well, it's not the end of the world if your kid doesn't get in this go round.. My son was denied the first year he applied.. The second time he had pretty much figured he would get the TWE again when he got the call from Kings Point.. He graduated in 2005. My younger son never even applied to KP because his high school grades and SAT scores were so mediocre.. He ended up going the state schoolship route and is currently sailing on a deep sea ship as Chief Mate.. If your desire is to sail as a licensed officer in the maritime industry there are other paths toward achieving that goal..

Good to see that your kids followed in your footsteps. While both of my kids are out there, on their own and successful in their own professions, they didn't want anything to do with what I did. . . it isn't for everybody.

 

[deepdraft1]

Good to see that your kids followed in your footsteps. While both of my kids are out there, on their own and successful in their own professions, they didn't want anything to do with what I did. . . it isn't for everybody.

You're right; it isn't for everybody and it takes a certain type of person to work at sea.. My younger son seems to be well suited to the craft.. Although in my communication with him I sometimes sense his frustrations with the Chief Mates job and the fatigue that comes with a long work rotation.. He joined his current ship on the US Gulf coast in February and after calling in several west African ports and Calcutta, they're now on their way to Thailand via Singapore [for bunkers]. In over two months he hasn't gotten off the ship, except to go on the dock to read the arrival and departure drafts.. When I asked him if he's gone ashore he just says 'Dad, you know how it is, between cargo ops and getting some sleep I've got no time to go'.. There's more work for 'the Mate', then there are hours in the day to finish it.. The merchant marine is light years from the old States Lines breakbulk days for sure..

 

[cmakin]

Good to see that your kids followed in your footsteps. While both of my kids are out there, on their own and successful in their own professions, they didn't want anything to do with what I did. . . it isn't for everybody.

You're right; it isn't for everybody and it takes a certain type of person to work at sea.. My younger son seems to be well suited to the craft.. Although in my communication with him I sometimes sense his frustrations with the Chief Mates job and the fatigue that comes with a long work rotation.. He joined his current ship on the US Gulf coast in February and after calling in several west African ports and Calcutta, they're now on their way to Thailand via Singapore [for bunkers]. In over two months he hasn't gotten off the ship, except to go on the dock to read the arrival and departure drafts.. When I asked him if he's gone ashore he just says 'Dad, you know how it is, between cargo ops and getting some sleep I've got no time to go'.. There's more work for 'the Mate', then there are hours in the day to finish it.. The merchant marine is light years from the old States Lines breakbulk days for sure..

Isn't THAT the truth. Smaller, more efficient crew sizes can really be a grind. I know that when I was sailing on both string boats (no assistants, oilers, or other members on the Engine Department) and ATBs, it was a rare thing for me to sneak ashore for a pint or two. Even when I lived in Lauderdale, I would make attempts at making it to the house (apartment) when we stopped in Port Everglades, but, in the days before cell phones, I would still leave my home number and could be back onboard if needed in 15 minutes or so. I will say that while I don't keep those kinds of hours now on a regular basis, when I am in the field, I sometimes have to and having become used to it, keeping those long hours does seem easier. Oh a side note, what kind of vessel is your son on? Even without the time ashore, it DOES sound like an interesting run.

 

[deepdraft1]

...Oh a side note, what kind of vessel is your son on? Even without the time ashore, it DOES sound like an interesting run.

He's on a heavy lift ship, that has a 400 ton hoist capability with two cranes married up.. From what I've heard it can be a cargo and seamanship challenge which keeps the Chief Mate 'fully engaged'. The ship tramps and in the three work periods my son's been on there, they've called at ports in South America, West Africa, the Middle East and soon they'll be in the Far East..

Anyway, I want to apologize for the thread hijack.. To the candidates on hold, make sure you have a solid plan B in place.. In the event you don't make the cut, it's your 'anchor to windward' in helping you get to your goal..

 

[kpmom2013]

No need to apologize. Deepdraft and cmakin, you bring reality to these threads. Your posts are always interesting and informative about what the industry is like. Thank you for the occasional hijack.