How to Join a Popeye Flock

Why were you interested in becoming a sailor? What were the reasons? These questions often come from my friends or somebody else whom I just met and know that I am a clerk for a cruise line. Well, actually I have put forth the reasons in the previous article On My Point of View. The next questions are: What are the requirements for applying the same job as yours? Should I take certain courses which are connected with the job? How long is the usual contract given by the company? Many others will come up after those questions. Therefore, this article will hopefully give the answers for the frequently asked questions.


There are many big cruise line companies in the world such as Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line (HAL), Cunard Cruise Line, NCL, Star Cruises, and many others. The followings are the requirements for those who want to apply for the position of clerk, GPA HK, and assistant Lido Steward in HAL. You can search for the more detailed information on the companies’ websites.

PT. Sumber Bakat Insani (SBI) is the sole agent for the HAL company. The office is located on Menara Sudirman 16th floor, Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 60, Jakarta. SBI usually post the advertisement in Kompas. For the prospective Indonesian crews, HAL provides some positions in Hotel Department and Deck & Engine Department

Positions in Hotel Department

• Administration : Purser, Controller, ISO, HRO, Clerk
• F&B : Assistant for Culinary Mgr., Maitre d’hotel, Assistant for Maitre d’hotel, Restaurant Steward, Room Service Steward, Assistant for Steward Lido, Provision Master, Storekeeper, Cooking Crews, GPA non HK, etc.
• Housekeeping : Chief Housekeeper, Assistant for Chief HK., HK Supervisor / Cabin Inspector, Cabin Steward, HK Clerk, Laundry Master, Laundry Man, GPA HK, etc.

Positions in Deck & Engine Department

• Quarter Master, Deck Storekeeper, Sailor, Life Boatmen, Engine Crews, etc.

-- updated (January '10): Cadet Engineer, Cadet Deck Officer --

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q : What steps required to get the job?
A : There are three steps:

1. Fulfill all of the requirements for joining the tests for the job
2. Take the course provided by MS Nieuw Jakarta
3. Get all documents included passport and US Visa

Q : What are the requirements?
A : There are two kinds of requirements: General and Special Condition for the position you apply for


General Conditions

• Minimum Height : 165 cm (male) and 160 (female)
• Age: 21 - 35 years old
• Application letter, which must be written in English
• Curriculum Vitae
• Latest Academic Certificate endorsed by school
• Certificate of Job Training / Work Experience, valid no later than 2 years
• Certificate of English course
• Birth Certificate
• A Copy of Family Card (KK) and ID (KTP)
• Certificate of Good Conduct from the Police Department / Crime Report released by the Police Department (SKCK)
• Legal Document for Parents Permission sealed with Rp 6.000,00 revenue stamp
• 4 pcs of color photograph: blue background for Hotel Department and red for Deck & Engine Department

Special Conditions (differ for each position)

Clerk Junior (CLKJ)

• Graduated from undergraduate degree (S1) majoring in Accountancy
• Having at least a year working experience in related field
• Experienced with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point)

Assistant Steward Lido (ASL)

• Graduated at least from D1 program with the focus in tourism
• Having a year working experience (job training included) as a waiter in a well-known restaurant (3 star level or higher)

General Purpose Attendant (GPA) – Housekeeping / Laundry (HKL)

• Graduated at least from D1 program with the focus in tourism
• Having at least 6 months working experience in 4 or 5 stars hotel as a Laundry Man / Room Boy / Public Area Attendant
  
  You can contact PT. Sumber Bakat Insani for further information.

Q : How long will the whole process take time before taking the tests?
A : It usually takes 3-6 months to get SBI confirm you whether or not you pass the desk selection and are allowed to have the first test.
The exception is for those whose recommendation from their family working in the company. It won’t take too long for them to get the confirmation. Thus, ask for recommendation for those whose family working in the company.

Q : What are the questions given in the first test?
A : The first test is usually held at the Head Office of SBI in Jakarta.
The usual questions given in the first test are not far different from those given for job applicants in general. They cover the reasons of why you are planning to have a job in a cruise line, questions related to your family, educational background, job training you have ever taken, and working experience.

Q : What is the next step after passing the first?
A : You have to join the second test in MS Nieuw Jakarta in Cikarang
It costs Rp. 50.000,00 for each procedure

GPA HKL & ASL
English Test: It aims at measuring your English speaking skill included the use of grammar and vocabulary. Sometimes, you will be asked to explain pictures.

• Skills on related job
• Marline Test: It is a TOEFL like test which covers English for special purpose used in marline field. It is computer-based test that covers English skills: writing, structure, listening, vocabulary, and pronunciation

CLERK
The test procedures are the same as those taken in GPA HKL & ASL with an additional procedure that is Computer test which aims at measuring applicant’s ability in operating computer related to programs used in processing data as MS. Word, MS Excel and Power Point.

If you pass all the procedures in the first test meaning you undergo 50% from the whole procedures in getting the job

Q : Is there any medical check up as one the requirements? If there is any, how much does it cost?
A : Yes. There is a pre-medical check up before taking courses in MS Nieuw Jakarta in Cikarang. This is held at RS Puri Medika Tanjung Priok and it costs about Rp 622.000,00.


The Medical check up includes:

1. Blood test
2. Thorax test
3. Lung and heart test
4. Urine and feces test
5. Ear and Eyes test
6. Hernia test
7. Vaccine test

Q : How much does the course held in MS Nieuw cost? How long it usually takes time?
A : Recently, I heard that it cost $ 500 and it could be paid twice.
For prospective clerks, the course takes 5 weeks, while for GPA HKL & Assist. Lido Steward it takes 10 week (5 additional weeks for courses on improving the prospective crews’ skills in related job).

If you pass this course, it means you have accomplished 75% from the whole process.

Q : How about getting passport and visa?
A : You have to spend around $100 to get US Visa. US passport costs more or less Rp 575.000,00 (it depends on the province where you live).
SBI will offer help in getting the papers.


Documents needed for applying a new passport / renewable:

1. ID card
2. Family card (KK)
3. Birth Certificate
4. Last Certificates

Documents needed for applying US Visa:

2 pcs of 5x5 color photograph with white background. It costs more or less Rp 35.000,00 for the fee and $ 100 (reimbursable).


The other document required is a Seaman Book and the documents needed to have it are: (it costs more or less Rp 155.000,00)

1. ID card
2. Family card (KK)
3. Birth certificate
4. Latest Certificates
5. 4 pcs of 5x5 color photograph in red background for engine crews and blue for Hotel & Deck Department
6. For the ones who never apply for this document must enclose a health notification letter from a doctor and an admission letter in which you state that you never have a Seaman Book before, sealed with Rp. 6.000,00 revenue stamp.

For the Mustering Rp 25.000,00. Don’t forget to keep all the receipts of payment, especially that of the $100 US Visa by which you can reimburse the spent money for the documents to SBI.


Q : Are there any other steps should I follow?
A : There will be a general medical check-up 45 days before joining the ship which is scheduled by SBI.
HAL has three recommended hospitals for conducting the test. They are: RS Dharma Nugraha, Puri Medika in Tanjung Priok, and SOS in Kuta Bali. The cost for the test will be on HAL’s account.

Q : Are there any affordable places to stay in Jakarta nearby the test venue?
A : I stayed at Djody Hotel on Jl. Jaksa in the tourism village downtown.
If the test takes place in Rawamangun, the better for you to stay in Wisma HAL in front of RS Dharma Nugraha. Both of those home stays are cheap. Djody costs around Rp. 60.000,00 overnight including breakfast. You get the same price for Wisma HAL but breakfast is not included.

Q : How long is the usual working contract given by the company and how long will we have vacation?
A : In normal condition, the contract is for 12 months, but recently it is shortened into 10-11 months. The vacation takes 4-6 months.

Q : Is there any holiday while we are on duty on the ship? How long is the working hour?
A : There will be no holiday if we are on duty. Everyday you have to work 11 hours, thus, you have to work 330 hour a month.

Q : What facilities provided for the crews?
A : Different from other companies, HAL provides facilities for Asian crews as providing 3 times meal, crew gym, internet poll, crew laundry, outgoing pay pall telephone for each cabin, infirmary, game center, basket ball pool, etc. Concerning the meal HAL also hires Indonesian cooks because it hires numbers of Indonesian crews.

Q : Any other things must be taken into consideration?
A : Yup, there are things must be taken into consideration as:

1. Be well-groomed when you join the test
2. Ask further information if there are changes for the fee without any notice.
3. Be wise in using your salary if you are accepted for the job.


You will earn bulk of bucks, but if you cannot manage them very well, it will be useless.



CONTACTS:

PT SUMBER BAKAT INSANI
Menara Sudirman 16th Floor
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 60
Jakarta 12190
Phone: (62-21) 522 7717
Fax: (62-21) 522 7707
Email: info@sbimanning.co.id
Website: http://www.sbimanning.co.id/


RUMAH SAKIT DHARMA NUGRAHA
Dr. Cornelia Rusdi Pattiasina
Jl. Balai Pustaka Baru No. 19
Rawamangun – Jakarta Timur
Phone: (62-21) 470 7433 37

PURI MEDICAL CENTER (RSPM)
Dr. Karnail Singh
Jl. Sungai Bambu Raya No. 5
Tanjung Priok – Jakarta Utara
Phone: (62-21) 4390 3355 ext. 246


INTERNATIONAL SOS
Mrs. Karen O’Keefe
Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 505 X
Kuta Bali 80361
Phone: (62-361) 720 100

MS NIEUW JAKARTA
Jl. Gema Lapik Rt. 18 Rw. 6
Kp. Pasir Konci Lemah Abang
Pasir Sari Cikarang
Phone: (62-21) 8990 1138

DJODY HOSTEL & HOTEL
Jl. Jaksa No. 27 – 35
Jakarta 10340
Phone: (62-21) 390 5976, 390 5977
Fax: (62-21) 314 2368

WISMA MITRA HAL
Jl. Balai Pustaka Baru No. 8
Rawamangun – Jakarta Timur
Phone: (62-21) 478 639 31, 471 3122