# Texaco Overseas Tankship - Star Westminister 92,000 Ton Crude Oil Carrier ## The Highlights Of My Career At Sea. Naval history runs deep throughout my family and from a young age, this is exactly what I wanted to do. My Grandad had spent a total of 12 years in the Royal Navy, 6 years on the Submarines and 6 years above water on Royal Naval Ships. I have uncles, and cousins who also went to Sea, one of my cousins is still at sea he has been at sea for over 25 years, working for Shell, P&O Containers and R.F.A – Royal Fleet Auxiliary where he still works today. From the age of 12, I wanted to join the navy, I had decided but I didn’t like the sound of all the discipline involved with the Royal Navy so I had my heart and dreams set on joining the Merchant Navy. I didn’t mind what type of ships they would be as long as I was sponsored through training and employed to work at sea, this was my focus and this was my dream. I left school in the summer of 1992 at the age of 16, at this time I had already sent out many CV`s to shipping companies, including RFA, Shell, Geese, Maersk, P&O Containers, Texaco and many more, the response was grim, Zero not even a sorry nothing available at present. I got to a point where I thought it is not going to happen, every morning I was on pins waiting for the mail to come through the door and nothing. Days went by then it happened the letter I was waiting for one letter would be better than none and it came and it was from Texaco Overseas Tankships, this was printed on the front of this white un- opened envelope. I could not open the letter fast enough I was like a small child opening presents on Christmas morning. Happy is an understatement, over the moon a smile as wide as my face, i had an Interview date for Texaco Overseas Tankships at their Head Office, Knightsbridge, London, I was so, so happy, I could not wipe the smile of my face. The interview day had arrived and my auntie had given me advice and told me to say at the last moment of the interview even if it was as I was standing up to leave, at the end of the interview, I was to say – I thank you for the opportunity you have given me today and if I was to be successful I will not let you down. She said this would leave a final positive impression, and that is exactly what it did. I found out the positive news from a telephone call 2 days later I was so happy I can remember it so clear all these years later. I was jumping with joy. :0) the best advice I have ever been given. My bags packed and ready to go My Mum and Dad was taking me to Gravesend Sea Training college. I knew what the procedure was to be from here, I needed to knuckle down pass all my exams and then my career would be secure as I was fully aware more than most that each company would drop us if the exams was not passed with all the relevant paperwork and stamps in your Discharge Book. I would spend 3 months at Gravesend Sea Training College and 2 days home and 4 months at sea, 6 weeks home 4 months at sea and 6 weeks home and so on… to be continued....... this is my true story with many real-life situations along the way with photos and one video worth waiting for. Chad Stretton