People choose to go to the sea for many reasons- some go in search of an adventure, some for the joy of traveling, some for money and some for all the above. Life at Sea has long been used as a metaphor to represent freedom, adventure and a chance to earn a fortune. From 15th to 18th century, shipping and sea voyage industry was experiencing its golden age, people used to run away to sea for different reasons such as adventure, debt, crime, opportunity, etc, while a voyage on the seas may not seem as enchanting in present days it still holds a few of its charms from the yesteryears.
Currently, the majority of international trade (90%) relies on shipping and more than half of the world’s fleets are owned by Asian Companies. The
Maritime industry is crucial for global trade, transportation, markets & business, and helps the continuous flow of goods and services across the world.
Given below are 10 reasons why one should choose a career at sea: Lucrative Salary Salary of seafarers is normally above those having similar professions onshore. The wage of a ship’s officer in an international trading ship is counted to be among the top of the pay scale as per a developing country’s standard. As a greater part of their time is spent on the ship, their expenditure also remains low while on the sea. Thus, there are many opportunities to accumulate good savings when young.
Develop High Responsibility Officers on-board are trained to be considerably responsible from the beginning of their careers. Since they have to ensure the safety of the ship, crew and cargo, they mature into highly responsible people very early in their life.
Travel across the Globe Although present-day ships spend less time on the port, it still gives seafarers a good opportunity to explore interesting locations and unique destinations across the globe, rather than making it seem like a business trip or a holiday.
Great Long Term Prospects There is a constant demand for qualified ship officers and engineers who meet the skill requirements criteria set by international shipping organizations. It also offers a great opportunity to progress personally and professionally.
Job Satisfaction While onboard seafarers know they are making an impact. Sometime when working in a usual office many wonder if their work brings any value, but people on the ship understand they hold valuable cargo, they understand how important it is to deliver it on time and without loss as their negligence could affect millions of lives.
Career flexibility & Job Security The life of a seafarer is both exciting and enjoyable as it provides people a different experience from the usual routine. As the shipping industry functions both on-land and on-sea, the officers have the choice to work on either. Also, the job security in shipping industry is more stable than most industries.
International recognition The ship officers usually hold internally recognized qualifications, thus most of them get the opportunity to work on ships and companies from around the world.
Long Holidays Seafarers often spend more time on sea and are away from land for extended periods, thus holidays given to them are also the longest. The period may vary from one month to several months depending on an individual’s requirement.
Stimulating experience Working on a ship could be a very stimulating experience as one works by the compass and not by the clock. Constant interaction with other in the crew often develops a lasting friendship which can be a different type of experience from people working ashore.
Transferable Skills Qualifications and skills gained at sea can be easily transferred to other industries outside shipping. There are many shore-based jobs available that require people to have seagoing experience.
