Entry level maritime career opportunities
Discussion
Folks, interested in any experience of the above – has anyone forged a decent career at sea (in recent times) without going down the cadetship route?
For example – is it possible to start as a motorman and work ones way up to say 3rd engineer? Can a deckhand really work their way up to officer level?
The cadet route appears to be the established way in to the profession but are there any other opportunities for new entrants to start at the bottom and work their way up the ladder -so to speak?
For example – is it possible to start as a motorman and work ones way up to say 3rd engineer? Can a deckhand really work their way up to officer level?
The cadet route appears to be the established way in to the profession but are there any other opportunities for new entrants to start at the bottom and work their way up the ladder -so to speak?
I looked into doing this a few years back. Honestly 'working from the bottom' isn't practical. For the most part the able crew are recruited from poorer countries with bugger all real education on <£10k/year wages with little to no chance of advancement. Although rigs and their support vessels require a lot of semi-maritime related skilled labour. An engineering related HNC/HND qualification can land you a skilled spot on a rig, which would most likely grant a lot of transferable skills, particularly in maritime maintenance.
I know what guy who makes a fairly decent living in Gibralter with just RYA boat handling qualifications, crewing sailboats in the med. Pay is minimal but accommodation is provided for most of the season.
I know what guy who makes a fairly decent living in Gibralter with just RYA boat handling qualifications, crewing sailboats in the med. Pay is minimal but accommodation is provided for most of the season.
Hi - thanks for that – matches the findings of my own research since posting. Not going down the cadet route when I was young, single and devoid of financial commitments is something I do regret!
I did serve my time as a mechanic although I have been out of the motor trade for a while. I also hold a 30 hours MCA engine course gained through the RNLI along with some other relevant certificates.
As such I will look into oil and gas but am well aware that opportunities are limited at present.
I did serve my time as a mechanic although I have been out of the motor trade for a while. I also hold a 30 hours MCA engine course gained through the RNLI along with some other relevant certificates.
As such I will look into oil and gas but am well aware that opportunities are limited at present.
How about the RFA.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/rfa/how-to-joi...
Gain a skill to allow you to move on.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/rfa/how-to-joi...
Gain a skill to allow you to move on.
As above not many companies take on British guys anymore in they roles.
I've never seen a British AB, boson, motorman, oiler etc in my career.
I would say royal fleet auxiliary is your best chance as they need to take on British guys or commonwealth but 3-4 month trips for officers not sure about lower ranks. I was on a course with an ex motorman turned 3rd eng when he was doing his 2nds.
I think BP tankers still have some British guys but very limited these days.
Other choice is gaining experience on supply boats or stand by boats as deck hands. If you wanted short trips offshore.
Even try ferries as deck hands if your near the coast as they generally take on locals. You have calmac and North link in Scotland.
I've never seen a British AB, boson, motorman, oiler etc in my career.
I would say royal fleet auxiliary is your best chance as they need to take on British guys or commonwealth but 3-4 month trips for officers not sure about lower ranks. I was on a course with an ex motorman turned 3rd eng when he was doing his 2nds.
I think BP tankers still have some British guys but very limited these days.
Other choice is gaining experience on supply boats or stand by boats as deck hands. If you wanted short trips offshore.
Even try ferries as deck hands if your near the coast as they generally take on locals. You have calmac and North link in Scotland.
PRTVR said:
How about the RFA.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/rfa/how-to-joi...
Gain a skill to allow you to move on.
+1http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/rfa/how-to-joi...
Gain a skill to allow you to move on.
How recent? I started as deckhand and worked my way up through the ranks to 1st Officer, I left the sea in 1997 and have work ashore in the Maritime world since.
I started with SSTG (www.sstg.org) on North Sea Rig Supply Vessels and then Coasters before moving deep sea.
Are coastal companies still employing British crew? this may be a route to go down.
I started with SSTG (www.sstg.org) on North Sea Rig Supply Vessels and then Coasters before moving deep sea.
Are coastal companies still employing British crew? this may be a route to go down.
I've not sailed with a British AB/Cox'n for a while.
They are/were on some P&O cruise ships however they were being phased out - when one left he was replaced by a Pakistani/Philipino counterpart.
I'd really recommend you suck it up and do the cadetship, it's undoubtedly the quickest way to an officers gig and the money and rotational benefits that come with it.
That sad, nowadays, on superyachts there are a load of British deckhands - some of these lads (the more switched on ones) do progress to the point where their next move is to an officer role - only issue here is that study and examination is requires (on boats of a decent size anyway). From what I've seen, they often get to bosun and decide they like it there, in charge of their deck crew, earning well and getting decent amounts of leave.
Either way if you want to progress in a career at sea you'll have to take time out to study, pass exams and tick boxes.
They are/were on some P&O cruise ships however they were being phased out - when one left he was replaced by a Pakistani/Philipino counterpart.
I'd really recommend you suck it up and do the cadetship, it's undoubtedly the quickest way to an officers gig and the money and rotational benefits that come with it.
That sad, nowadays, on superyachts there are a load of British deckhands - some of these lads (the more switched on ones) do progress to the point where their next move is to an officer role - only issue here is that study and examination is requires (on boats of a decent size anyway). From what I've seen, they often get to bosun and decide they like it there, in charge of their deck crew, earning well and getting decent amounts of leave.
Either way if you want to progress in a career at sea you'll have to take time out to study, pass exams and tick boxes.
Iv'e worked at sea for twenty seven years (mainly DSV's and CSV's) and in that time, virtually all rolls other than senior officers have been taken over by third world crew. Cost is all they seem to consider nowadays. Sorry to piss on your bonfire but you will find it very hard to break in especially at your age.
West17 said:
Thanks for all the helpful replies. A few things to look into.
The RFA looks a good option but training base locations not that great for me up here in Scotland. That said - where there's a will there's a way...........
You want to eventually work away from home a lot but are not prepared to study/train away? The RFA looks a good option but training base locations not that great for me up here in Scotland. That said - where there's a will there's a way...........
I'm 34 and a mechanic in the armed forces and have been looking into cadetships/yachts etc.
To me a cadetship seem like short term pain as I'd take a substantial pay cut from £30k to £10-15k. But there's the long term gain of getting the better paid yacht jobs quicker with less sea time required. Better qualifications too.
RFA apparently pays is the best during cadetships but there's no certainty you'd be taken on. I'm guessing if taken on you'd have some of the perks that the armed forces have ref pensions, travel etc. I've also worked on an RFA and its loads better than working on a pussers ship.
Doing an approved engine course, medical and safety course then jumping into yachts would give me roughly the same income as now (or more if it's tax free) initially but would take longer to get the higher paying/better rotation jobs. It would also allow me to have a taste of what it's like working in a civvie environment at sea without investing loads of time training etc.
I'm happy to be corrected about all this but that's how I've interpreted things I've seen online. If anyone's willing to advise or give the "gen" on this please PM me.
dai1983 said:
You want to eventually work away from home a lot but are not prepared to study/train away?
I see how that came across, I've no problem working away from home, I was really considering the financial aspects during training e.g. travel and accommodation costs while also running a family home. West17 said:
dai1983 said:
You want to eventually work away from home a lot but are not prepared to study/train away?
I see how that came across, I've no problem working away from home, I was really considering the financial aspects during training e.g. travel and accommodation costs while also running a family home. 
The government linked shipping bodies like fisheries (Marine Scotland may be especially interesting for you), British Antarctic Survey, National Oceanographic Center and navigation / buoy maintenance companies all actively recruit British ratings and pay good wages. Trinity House in particular like to promote ratings through the ranks.
Its interesting if challenging work but apart from BAS and NOC you tend to be in home waters for the most part.
There is lots of funding available for rating to officer conversion with the J W Slater fund being one of the more well known.
Age might not be on your side but with a can do attitude there isn't any reason you couldn't progress to a decent level before retirement.
If I didn't get seasick on a canal boat I'd go for it.
Its interesting if challenging work but apart from BAS and NOC you tend to be in home waters for the most part.
There is lots of funding available for rating to officer conversion with the J W Slater fund being one of the more well known.
Age might not be on your side but with a can do attitude there isn't any reason you couldn't progress to a decent level before retirement.
If I didn't get seasick on a canal boat I'd go for it.
dictys said:
I started with SSTG (www.sstg.org) on North Sea Rig Supply Vessels .
Boston Putford?West17 said:
For example – is it possible to start as a motorman and work ones way up to say 3rd engineer? Can a deckhand really work their way up to officer level?
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