Fleet Officers

Interview Engineering Officer

Interview of Engineering Officer Cadet Sheldon Ottely during his first sea phase aboard the CCGS Des Groseilliers in Canada`s Arctic on September 6, 2007.

Interview Transcript

I’ve had the opportunity to walk on glaciers. I’ve had the opportunity to go ashore, and see a small settlement, like historical places, like an old R.C.M.P. detachment. But, I mean that’s also, that’s one side of it, that’s the exploration side. I’m also learning a lot about ship systems, the way engines work, the way that, basically all the auxiliary equipment on board works, and, in my opinion, I’ve got, I’ve received excellent instruction here.

The officer of the watch that I work with, he is committed to making sure that I’m learning new things on a daily basis, and, allowing me the freedom to go out there and try things out, under supervision of course, and, I’ve learned how to actually do things on my own. It has allowed me to do; I mean I feel like I’ve got a safety net, but, I’m learning a lot.

-And they certainly put you, for your first sea phase, they put you on a big vessel didn’t they?

Yes.

-And why did you want to join the Coast Guard? You could be a marine engineer in the private sector.

I kind of like the idea of giving back to the people of Canada, [for] one. The other thing I like is that, I’m working in a dynamic environment, and, perhaps maybe down the road there will be a chance to save lives, there’ll be a chance to really do some good work. As opposed to not taking anything away from the merchant marines, but as opposed to, trying to make money for a company I would rather be serving Canada, for sure.

Is it everything to date; is it everything that you were expecting it to be?

I think, to be honest, I think its worth it to be a little be more than I expected and the reason for that is because of the experiences I had on the Des Groselliers. The College is an interesting place, I learn a lot, but, what they didn’t tell me at the College was all of the incredibly fun, and the interesting things, I’d get to do outside of work, while I was on voyages with the Coast Guard ships. I’m doing exactly what I thought I would do. All I have to do is continue to work hard and get through the College to make sure that I progress.

-What are your goals down the road?

That’s an interesting question. Well, I’d like to first off finish with the College, and join a ship, and see where that takes me. It would be great to continue doing watches, to maybe reach the rank of senior, right, and who knows maybe be a chief engineer.