Working at Sea
Discussion
I have been thinking about possibly getting out of the country while I still can (youngish, free and single) about maybe going to work as an engineer on a ship. I am an electrical engineer, so have the background to engineering, and also willing to start as lowliest of low, as won't really effect me if have a huge drop in salary.
The big issue is how do you get into the industry? Do you work in the Industry? All knowledge is grateful.
I also will take other suggestions for possibilities of other careers. Just think I want a change and have the opportunity to do that now.
The big issue is how do you get into the industry? Do you work in the Industry? All knowledge is grateful.
I also will take other suggestions for possibilities of other careers. Just think I want a change and have the opportunity to do that now.
where are you based?
UKSA offer some training schemes in various marine careers, although they are quite expensive I think. They do however have a very good careers office that are helpful and very good at finding you employment after their schemes. Several of my mates have been through it and thoroughly recommend it.
Apparently working on cruise ships is quite a good way to get around the world and enjoy yourself at the same time, one of coursemates is planning to do it when he graduates, and I'm sure there plenty of work on one of those for an electrical engineer
UKSA offer some training schemes in various marine careers, although they are quite expensive I think. They do however have a very good careers office that are helpful and very good at finding you employment after their schemes. Several of my mates have been through it and thoroughly recommend it.
Apparently working on cruise ships is quite a good way to get around the world and enjoy yourself at the same time, one of coursemates is planning to do it when he graduates, and I'm sure there plenty of work on one of those for an electrical engineer
Elster,
i'm a marine engineer and have worked in both the merchant and drilling industries.
you wont get to see much of the world (if thats you plan)in either industry im afraid but the money can be quite good.
have a look at nautilusuk.org and faststream.co.uk for information and jobs in the merchant navy.
for work offshore; thats a whole other story and i see theres already a big thread dedicated to that elsewhere on here.
i cant comment on passenger vessels as i've never worked on those but i've heard some 'interesting' stories from lads that were sailing on those when they were single. if i had my time again i would like to have had a look for myself!
i have quite a big list of merchant and drilling company contact addresess if you or anyone else is interested. pm me your e-mails and i'll send it out.
ged
i'm a marine engineer and have worked in both the merchant and drilling industries.
you wont get to see much of the world (if thats you plan)in either industry im afraid but the money can be quite good.
have a look at nautilusuk.org and faststream.co.uk for information and jobs in the merchant navy.
for work offshore; thats a whole other story and i see theres already a big thread dedicated to that elsewhere on here.
i cant comment on passenger vessels as i've never worked on those but i've heard some 'interesting' stories from lads that were sailing on those when they were single. if i had my time again i would like to have had a look for myself!
i have quite a big list of merchant and drilling company contact addresess if you or anyone else is interested. pm me your e-mails and i'll send it out.
ged
www.dieselduck.net should give you a flavour of marine engineering life.
(edited for speelin)
(edited for speelin)
Edited by Jaguar steve on Thursday 19th February 06:58
I would recommend looking into an engineers position aboard a luxury yacht. The industry has massive demand for engineers and a shortage of candidates.
Initial training for an entry level 2nd engineers position on a 130ft luxury yacht would be an MCA AEC certificate, and the STCW 95 basic training. This could be covered by 2 weeks training at the UKSA. If you already have some engineering experience you could get an MEOL ticket as well.
Starting salary would be approx 2,500 euro/month + tips. zero living expenses as everything down to tooth paste is paid for. See the world and get set up for life in the space of five years - worked for me...
http://www.uksa.org/career/y_careers_nav.asp
Initial training for an entry level 2nd engineers position on a 130ft luxury yacht would be an MCA AEC certificate, and the STCW 95 basic training. This could be covered by 2 weeks training at the UKSA. If you already have some engineering experience you could get an MEOL ticket as well.
Starting salary would be approx 2,500 euro/month + tips. zero living expenses as everything down to tooth paste is paid for. See the world and get set up for life in the space of five years - worked for me...
http://www.uksa.org/career/y_careers_nav.asp
sassthathoopie said:
I would recommend looking into an engineers position aboard a luxury yacht. The industry has massive demand for engineers and a shortage of candidates.
Initial training for an entry level 2nd engineers position on a 130ft luxury yacht would be an MCA AEC certificate, and the STCW 95 basic training. This could be covered by 2 weeks training at the UKSA. If you already have some engineering experience you could get an MEOL ticket as well.
Starting salary would be approx 2,500 euro/month + tips. zero living expenses as everything down to tooth paste is paid for. See the world and get set up for life in the space of five years - worked for me...
http://www.uksa.org/career/y_careers_nav.asp
could u please expand on what you did, with who and how??Initial training for an entry level 2nd engineers position on a 130ft luxury yacht would be an MCA AEC certificate, and the STCW 95 basic training. This could be covered by 2 weeks training at the UKSA. If you already have some engineering experience you could get an MEOL ticket as well.
Starting salary would be approx 2,500 euro/month + tips. zero living expenses as everything down to tooth paste is paid for. See the world and get set up for life in the space of five years - worked for me...
http://www.uksa.org/career/y_careers_nav.asp
pm me if u want to
cheers
the moose
I'm currently Chief Engineer on a 54m yacht. I wouldn't really recommend jumping straight into the yacht industry as yacht qualifications are of a lower standard than 'real' MCA commercial tickets. They are also not 'backward-compatible', i.e I can sail on a yacht with my comercial ticket, but a yacht engineer can not go on to work on a big ship.
I spent almost 10 years on cruise ships before moving onto yachts. As a qualified Electrical Engineer you will save yourself from having to go through a cadetship or apprenticeship, but will still have a year or so of on-the-job training before starting as 4th or 3rd ETO. salary as 4th/3rd will be around the £25k mark, but bear in mind you living costs are virtually nil (drinks and runs ashore aside) and your earnings are UK tax exempt if you are out for over 183 days
The life is good, especially if you are single. The food is good and the accommodation of a good standard. You will spend a lot of your time working, 7-day/80 hour+ weeks are the norm, but when you do get time off you can make the most of it. I have been pretty much everywhere that is worth going, and had some great times, sailing 1000 miles up the Amazon, 79deg north in the arctic, tropical islands and everything inbetween. Any regrets? not really. I would like to spend more time at home with friends and cars/bikes etc. I've been with the O/H for 8-9 years now, so it is possible to maintain a relationship in the industry (but not always easy)
As for long term, earnings get pretty good especially if you end up in the yacht industry (I was one of the many who ticked the £75k+ box
), and I imagine the drilling/offshore industry is pretty similar. If you are thinking about it, and are still young (I started at 21, many start at 18) - go for it.
Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions
Liam
I spent almost 10 years on cruise ships before moving onto yachts. As a qualified Electrical Engineer you will save yourself from having to go through a cadetship or apprenticeship, but will still have a year or so of on-the-job training before starting as 4th or 3rd ETO. salary as 4th/3rd will be around the £25k mark, but bear in mind you living costs are virtually nil (drinks and runs ashore aside) and your earnings are UK tax exempt if you are out for over 183 days
The life is good, especially if you are single. The food is good and the accommodation of a good standard. You will spend a lot of your time working, 7-day/80 hour+ weeks are the norm, but when you do get time off you can make the most of it. I have been pretty much everywhere that is worth going, and had some great times, sailing 1000 miles up the Amazon, 79deg north in the arctic, tropical islands and everything inbetween. Any regrets? not really. I would like to spend more time at home with friends and cars/bikes etc. I've been with the O/H for 8-9 years now, so it is possible to maintain a relationship in the industry (but not always easy)
As for long term, earnings get pretty good especially if you end up in the yacht industry (I was one of the many who ticked the £75k+ box
), and I imagine the drilling/offshore industry is pretty similar. If you are thinking about it, and are still young (I started at 21, many start at 18) - go for it.Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions
Liam
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