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New name for the Stokers

Pat in Halifax

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Yet another study has come up with another idea for our beloved trade. It would seem now that for administrative purposes, the 3 Stoker trades: Mar Eng Mech, Mar Eng Tech and Mar Eng Art are being rolled into one trade and we need a name.
Years ago, I sailed with an EO who was quite adamant that NONE OF US except him and his D/EO were engineers because we had no degree from a University. He even removed the tally from the MSE Office door. As a joke, we tossed some suggestions around and one of the best I saw raised his ire a little but made us all laugh:
NEAMs - Not Engineers AnyMore!!!
 
I can suggest of a few names for some stokers, but that would violate site rules.

What about BT/DT's -- Binder Twine/Duct Tape?
SMEARS?  Specialist-Marine Engines /Aircon Repair Service

 
Might be the cynic in me, but what is with the navy these days?

They seemed so focused on regrouping and renaming many naval trades, and after years of meetings and all that jazz they don't change anything and decide to come back in a few years and revisit the issue (Combat Operator).  While I was in the Navy those poor sonar types (I don't even know what they are called now) they had approx. 3 name changes? 

Just a thought here, call me crazy but why isn't the Navy spending more time on retention, recruiting and less time sitting around the table trying to come up with new trade names.

As for the new stoker name

Naval Marine Engineer (which isn't really new, but its simple)  To be perfectly honest I thought you guys were all one trade anyway  :p




 
That is one of the suggestions (the Naval Engineer - Not the OTHER one!) Thanks whiskey601-a little cynicism...or maybe jealousy!!! As for all these 'head games' - I agree. Personally, I have a pet name for these people in 'that place' who obviously are undertasked and have time to think of dumb*** things. I have always said that the reason I personally don't want to go to 'that place' is because there is no Navy there. I have seen too many people (good people) go there and become disillusioned.
Anyway, I digress. Aside from the one above, others being tossed around are;
Marine Engineer;
Stoker (of course!);
Marine Systems Engineer.
I am actually surprised that I have not seen more suggestions here - I know there are at least a few stokers out there.
 
Dolphin_Hunter said:
Might be the cynic in me, but what is with the navy these days?

Just following the Army lead; ask anyone who's been RCEME - EME - LEME - LORE - EME
(They've got to have the richest kit-shop going)
 
The ET's are doing the same thing.  Someone suggested it might have in part to do with the spec(tech >:D) pay issue.  When we complete our coursing and training at certain points we are (not voluntarily) re mustered and by doing so start back at level zero for that rank.  If your all one trade they can't take your incentive levels away.  More than likely not something they thought of when they decided to do this, but fixes an issue for them later on. 

My suggestion for the stokers would be Bilge Monkey they could keep the Deck Apes company during those long nights at sea  ;D

:cdn:
 
Dolphin_Hunter said:
While I was in the Navy those poor sonar types (I don't even know what they are called now) they had approx. 3 name changes?

I still don't understand whether they're called Naval Electronics Technician (Sonar) or [NE Tech (S)] or Naval Electronics Technician (Acoustics).
 
I think you are getting your apples and oranges mixed up. Naval Acousitic Operators (NACOPs) are the sonar operators and their name has changed, again. They are the ones who use the equipment. The Naval Electronics Techniciaion - Acoustic (NET (A)) are the maintainers.  NET has had Acoutic, Communications, and Tactical as sub specialties but I don't think Sonar was ever one since the trade was established 20 or so years ago.
 
- Well, nothing beats tradition - how about "Stoker"?

- Do "Engine Room Articifers" still exist?

 
TCBF said:
- Do "Engine Room Articifers" still exist?

That was my father's trade in the RCNVR. He was on the the Fundy, Ungava, Lockport and Fort Erie. One of them was coal fired.
He never missed a reunion, prior to 2005:
http://www.artapps.ca/artapphist.html



 
Stoker is indeed one of the options but it may be construed as an insult by our 'aged' alumni who actually 'stoked' coal (hence the name).

Does the term "articifer' exist?
Yes, but it is actually "artificer". The trade after an individual aquires their Engineering Officer of the Watch qual is actually 'Marine Engineering Artificer" and the senior (NCM) Engineer (RegF) on board ship is known affectionately as the CERA (Chief Engine Room Artificer).
 
My thinking is that they should leave well enough alone with regards to the names of the trade, but failing that I think stoker would be a good alternative.  Most of us stokers already use that term more than the actual trade name.  So why not just go with the name in common usage?
 
For anyone wondering, officially from the minutes of the last MAR ENG OAG meeting in July:

"d. if the Mar Eng occupations are ever amalgamated, they will be known as “Marine Engineers”;"

My choice too would have been Stoker but admittedly, it is difficult to tie the verb 'stoke' in with sitting in an air conditioned Machinery Control Room and even if of the younger persuation (and therefore rank), the climate and habitability in the machinery spaces is a far cry from even the steamer days.
 
Pat in Halifax said:
...sitting in an air conditioned Machinery Control Room ...

How about Marine Systems OPERATOR.  >:D

[running out the door really rast]
 
The "operation" part is a small component of the day to day duties of a stoker at sea. On average, good old wrench turning accounts for atleast one third of the day at sea and pretty much 100% of the day alongside. As I said, though the habitability in the machinery spaces on board HAL and IRO class ships is improved from the ISL/IRE/ANN days, there is still much hands on. It is one of those things that we (as a trade) have had a difficult time driving home to senior people; most trades have split into the operator and maintainer side, but niether the ETs nor stokers have. This is also a big reason why non-MSE types can't grasp why a one-in-two watch rotation simply cannot work for stokers. Unfortunately, we have done this to ourselves: When it can't be done...we find a way to do it anyway.
 
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