The start of a new adventure: first steps and impressions on board
The start of my internship on board Conti Cortesia was characterised by excitement and anticipation. As soon as I boarded the ship and the crew gave me a warm welcome, I knew that this was going to be a special experience. The sheer size of the ship was impressive and I could hardly wait to find out more about life on board. The bridge in particular – the heart of the ship – immediately captivated me. On the second day, I had the opportunity to experience the casting off from London from the bridge. It was fascinating to see how the crew carried out the precise manoeuvres to set the large ship in motion. At that moment, I realised how much responsibility and care is required to put a containership on course safely.
The magic of the bridge: Navigating and steering an ocean liner
My fascination with the bridge and navigation grew from day to day. It was the place where I had the most memorable experiences. There was something magical about the many instruments and displays that provided all the relevant information for steering the ship. Every glance at the horizon, every course correction I was allowed to observe, made it clear how critical the work on the bridge was to the entire ship.
The moments I was allowed to take the wheel myself were a real highlight of my internship. It was a feeling of overwhelming responsibility and incredible joy at the same time. Under the guidance of the officers, I steered the huge ship through the waves, first on the high seas and later in the port of Fos-Sur-Mer – experiences that made a deep impression on me. Every movement of the steering wheel had an immediate effect and it was fascinating to feel how precisely a ship of this size could be steered. The crew on the bridge showed me how finely-tuned the cooperation between navigation and steering must be to manoeuvre the ship safely – be it on the open sea or in the busy and narrow harbours of Europe.
The beauty of the sea: peaceful moments and spectacular sunrises
Despite the busy work on the bridge, there were always quiet and contemplative moments at sea. These phases, in which the ship glided smoothly through the waves and the ocean stretched out endlessly, had a special fascination. I often spent my free time on the bridge watching the vast horizon. The sunrises and sunsets that I saw from there were particularly memorable.
The silence at sea, interrupted only by the quiet hum of the equipment and the sounds of the ship, created an almost meditative atmosphere. These moments gave me the opportunity to marvel at the vastness and beauty of the ocean and, at the same time, to feel the responsibility that goes hand in hand with commanding such a large ship. The sea offered not only work, but also a deep sense of calm that was best captured in such moments.
The challenges of life at sea: Storm Ursula and stormy times
Not every day at sea was so calm and peaceful. One of the most challenging experiences of my internship was the encounter with Storm Ursula in the North Sea. As soon as we set sail from Antwerp, it was clear that we were in for some stormy weather. When we reached the open sea, the waves grew to impressive heights and the ship began to roll heavily.
It was both fascinating and frightening to experience the forces of nature up close. Even simple tasks, such as walking on board or sleeping in the cabin, became a challenge due to the violent swaying of the ship. However, the crew remained calm and professional and I learnt a lot about how to deal with such difficult conditions.
Every movement of the wheel had an immediate effect – it was fascinating to feel how precisely a ship of this size could be steered.
It was particularly impressive to see how the ship was kept on course, even when the waves came from the side and the movement became even more intense. Navigating from the bridge in such situations was also an exciting experience. The rough seas taught me a valuable lesson: not every day at sea can be planned and you often have to adapt to the unpredictable forces of nature.
Masterful port manoeuvres: precision work in narrow waters and harbours
During my time on board, I was able to witness how precise and coordinated the manoeuvres were when entering and leaving the ports of Europe. Every harbour we called at brought its own challenges. Entering the harbour of La Spezia, which seemed almost too small for a ship the size of Conti Cortesia, was particularly impressive. Here we had to navigate through narrow passages and around sharp bends with millimetre precision.
Another special moment was when I was not only allowed to watch but to participate actively in manoeuvres. At the pilot’s instruction, I adjusted the speed of the ship myself, which gave me a sense of how much control and sensitivity is required for these manoeuvres. The port manoeuvres were particularly fascinating as they required utmost concentration and precision – both from the crew on the bridge and from the port workers who worked with us. The close cooperation between the ship’s crew and the pilots who brought us safely into the ports was an impressive demonstration of teamwork at the highest level.
Everyday life on board: maintenance work and insights into the engine room
In addition to the exciting experiences on the bridge, everyday life on board was mainly marked by various maintenance tasks and looking after the ship. One of the first tasks I took on was knocking out rust. This loud and dirty job required a lot of physical effort, but I really enjoyed actively contributing to the maintenance of the ship. Under the guidance of the crew, I was allowed to work with modern pneumatic machines, which gave me an insight into the technical processes and was a lot of fun at the same time.
Another important area that I got to know was the engine room. Here I was impressed by the complexity and scope of the machines and systems. During my visit, I not only learnt about the various devices, but was also allowed to participate actively. I helped with the maintenance of pumps and was able to install spare parts. The heat and noise in the engine room were challenging, but the crew’s patient explanations helped me to understand how the machines work.
These experiences in the engine room and during maintenance work taught me a lot about the responsibilities and cohesion of a ship’s crew. I appreciated the variety of tasks that helped everything run smoothly and increasingly felt part of the team.
Looking back: An unforgettable journey full of learning experiences and personal highlights
When I look back on the three weeks on board Conti Cortesia, I am overcome with a deep sense of gratitude. It was a time full of adventure, intensive learning processes and personal development. The bridge in particular, the place where I was able to gain so many valuable experiences, remains in my memory as the centrepiece of this experience. The opportunity to steer the ship myself and actively participate in the daily manoeuvres had a lasting impact on me.
Life at sea has shown me how important it is to be able to rely on others and work together as a team – especially in stormy times or during complex port manoeuvres. But I will also never forget the quiet, peaceful moments at sea, the conversations with the crew, and the impressive sunrises.
This trip has increased my fascination with life at sea and I am excited to see what adventures await me in future.
