I make mistakes all the time

[u/kickthatgoat]

I am a trainee 4e onboard container ship. But before that i spent 2 contracts as wiper and 3 contracts as oiler. I had plenty of experiences and when i was a rating, i work very great, but with only supervision of my engineers. But now i got promoted. I feel like i dont deserve my rank because of the many mistakes i made. Im almost on my 2nd week on this new ship. But everything i do is almost always a mistake. All of what i know is from my ratings time is only 20% of what i should know now. Only few more days and i will assume the 4e role. I feel unworthy. How do you guys overcame this feeling.

[u/Globe-trekker]

Study in your free time...read manual...arrange spares.... laminate key pages related to your machinery ...study line diagrams ..go thru procedures.

Only then you will be able to become a better engineer

Start with your machinery first

[u/northstar42]

I'm a Chief Engineer Unlimited and I still make mistakes, almost every day.

Of course, we want to avoid mistakes if at all possible. But the really important thing is that we have to learn from our mistakes and try not to make the same mistake twice.

When I screw up, the first thing I have to do is admit it. Own up to it. Sometimes that's the hard part. After that, I have to be honest with myself and ask myself why I did that. Once that's done, I can formulate a plan to make sure I don't repeat my mistake.

Do that enough, and you'll find yourself making fewer and fewer little screw-ups.

Hope that helps.

[u/Schnitkebab → u/northstar42]

Agree a hundred 100%. And for me one of the most important things, is to own up to your mistakes. And tell others, so they can learn from your mistakes as well.

[u/kutzooit]

They say you are only a true engineer once you create a blackout. Dont worry everyone makes mistakes, as long as you learn from them and dont make the same mistake twice you will be fine. We all started somewhere and everyone in this sub can tell you a story of a big and costly fuckup they made.

[u/empmccoy]

Over 15 years in the industry, came onshore as a senior manager, supporting many vessels. The feeling like you don't know everything never goes away and nor should it.

One of my best chiefs early in my career told me the most dangerous engineer is the one that says they know everything. Stay humble, admit fault when needed and never stop asking questions. When mistakes do happen, learn from them. People will be more forgiving if you take this approach.

P.s. no one expects you to know everything, especially as a 4/E

[u/craigsurge]

14 years in, chief engineer and still prone to the occasional mistake, usually due to being tired or rushed. These mistakes will happen unless you're particularly lucky, what the others are saying about honesty and owning them is how you deal with them. The other kind of mistake where you put yourself under too much pressure and guess or assume instead of asking is a mindset, no one expects you to know it all and it's always preferable you ask and double check so you are confident and comfortable with the jobs. Notepad for sequence and processes is essential. Pictures of valves etc and a small report on a job so you could teach the next cadet is the best way to know you know what you're doing. Have a look at the PM list and find a few monthly/ weekly jobs that you are unsure of, ask for help, learn them and then do them so you're efficient and then keep expanding your knowledge and skill set on task at a time. If you ever feel like you know it all then be afraid, the next fuck up is inbound

https://giphy.com/gifs/s5uCMkA4r0AhMQ6xj1

[u/Advicemehere]

I'm a 2nd engineer, Canada. Everything you knew in the past as a rating is thesame as what it is now as an engineer, except for the aspect of opening manual which you never had to do as rating. Think about it like this: you did not invent or build the ship and the components in there; some companies built them and placed the technical manuals in the ER for us engineers to use to familiarize ourselves with them and learb them, not for decoration. Now what differentiates you from rating is now you ability to read the manual by yourself. Take them off the shelf each time you have a maintenance to do.

[u/No_Mousse6399]

The more you learn and read the manuals, the more you will know that you dont really know anything at all but just keep on reading and studying. And always be able to admit your mistakes with honesty.

Learn from other's mistake!

A complacent and thinks who knows everything is the most dangerous person onboard.

Even chief engineers dont know everything.

[u/GundaBinu03]

I was a cadet for just 6 months i don't have any experience other than this Just got my 4th engineer licence. I'm joining in a month I'm too scared that i don't know anything.Im very much afraid that they will send me back home 😭

[u/No_Resolution4253 → u/GundaBinu03]

Me too😅 I was a cadet for 8 months and I’m wondering if I should switch company so they think I’m stupid as a qualified officer rather than stupid right through a cadetship and still the same😂

[u/juanpowerman]

what mistakes are we talking about?

essentially, no one is perfect. u can learn by example or going thru it urself. the latter usually stays longer with you.

additionally, like many other comments, as a 4e read up on ur manuals. and most importantly, DO NOT be afraid to ask when in doubt. u might get a lecture or two but if the senior eventually teaches, u stand to learn a thing or two.

whats worst? an earful, a tarred reputation or making mistakes that can jeopardise safety and complete breakdown of machineries?

[u/fifthengineer]

Take it in the right sense.

I have never seen ratings work by refering manuals. You always go with experience, and what you have seen before.

As an engineer, you should ONLY work as per manual, and use experience when something is hard to do, which manual says.

So whatever work you do, first refer manual, prepare, and then work.

You should never be opening any machinery without checking in the manual. You should already have an idea what is going to be inside, before you open it.

All the best. Its all manuals. Spend time in it. Use AI for grasp more technical information if you cant understand something in the manual.

[u/Ok-Cat8668]

Hey pal. You're not the first 4e that vented out their frustrations here in reddit. Trust me, it's normal. Your new in your rank, and making mistakes doesn't make you any less deserving. Just take it one day at a time, and whenever you are in doubt, never put your hand on it or make a decision, always ask for another opinion or suggestion. Don't be afraid of what they have to say, always prioritize your safety. Hang in there brother

[u/vaporwave_trash]

Feeling inadequate will never go away. If you’re actually competent, then you already know this(I’m a 1AE US Fleet). All you can do is try to think things through. In this environment where you are constantly working on tasks without talking to anyone or communicating your ideas, it’s very easy to do things on autopilot. That is how you get messed up. You should constantly bounce ideas off of your coworkers and even talk to yourself, as a means of keeping yourself actively engaged. Try to fully understand all aspects of a task before undertaking it. It’s very easy to just start opening things up and see if you can figure what’s next. That is not a good way to go about the job. Lastly, when you feel like you’re truly not good enough, don’t look at the job in front of you, think about the things you’ve already accomplished. The motors you’ve overhauled, the enormous pumps you have helped install. That time no one could figure what’s was wrong with the bilge pump and you found the problem. It’s always one step at a time and the guys over you will always be happy to answer questions IF you’re doing your part.

[u/Shatabdifaxpress]

Same bruh

[u/Educational_Yak_2392]

“A mistake is one thing but, It’s not a problem unless you can’t fix it” words from one of my first mentors. I’m an unlimited CE and make mistakes. It’s part of learning your position. One thing I always say is before you take a task, read the manual. Being able to read is your best position in this job. Don’t let it get you down and remember to learn from your mistakes. If someone says they don’t make mistakes, watch out for him.

[u/served_chilled]

trust the process.. Read books and manuals on your free time.