While many teenagers may have spent their summer days swimming in the ocean David Bean spent the weekend before last sailing it.

The 15 year old was a deck apprentice on the Norwegian Crown on a round trip to New York where he was right-hand man to Capt. Aage Hoddevik.

Tasks included ferrying messages between the captain, the chief purser and the radio room.

David first sailed on the Norwegian Crown last November after Capt. Hoddevik was impressed with his enthusiasm when he came on board for a visit.

And now the CedarBridge Academy student is setting his sights on sailing the ocean seas as a career.

He said: "I've always liked the ocean and anything to do with water.'' David shunned the temptations of the pool and jacuzzi to concentrate on the job in hand.

He said: "I didn't get time for those. I didn't want them to see me in the pool when they might have needed me.'' David's attitude certainly won him many admirers.

Chief purser Gautier Noussis said: "Talk about efficiency! He's been running faxes for me. He's just so friendly and helpful -- a pleasure to work with.'' And Capt. Hoddevik said: "He's the brightest boy on the Island. When I said to him: `Work hard' he says `No, I'll work smart'.'' And you have to be pretty smart not to be daunted by a ship which on its 11 decks has 1,600 people from more than 50 different countries.

David explained: "I've had to learn a bit of Norwegian to understand some of the crew. I can say: `Can I help you,' and `Thank you'.

"I just try to make the crew feel as happy as I can.'' Now David must knuckle down at CedarBridge to get the grades for Bermuda College and then a maritime college.

He will have to put in at least eight years as an apprentice to stand a chance of becoming an officer.

Capt. Hoddevik said: "He's welcome to work here. I started as an apprentice before getting into maritime college.'' But first David must make some choices.

He said: "I am not sure whether I want to be a navigator or an engineer. I like both jobs.'' And he is already wise to some of the quirks of sea borne life.

Asked about the anchor for the 35,000-tonne ship, he said: "That's just for show. The ship is tied to the shore in St. George.'' The picturesque port is a contrast to New York where David spent a few hours before heading back to Bermuda.

He said: "The docks there are a little like parking lots.'' But he enjoyed the rest of the Big Apple.

"New York? That's a lot of shopping!,'' he exclaimed.