How important is a maritime background for application?

[D-Triv]

I ask this because, living where I do and having as much money as I do, I don't have the luxury of being able to travel to the seaside every week to sail boats or take part in sailing clubs or the sea cadets. I do know a fair bit about the sea and the maritime industry, but I haven't that much actual experience with boats. I used to go out on my granddad's boat when I was younger but that's long since been sold, I've only sailed a boat on a few occasions with a friend and other than that, I've taken a fair number of ferry rides in my short life. Obviously this is far from a large amount of experience, but is a lack of experience a setback for someone like me or will the interviewer take it with a pinch of salt?

Thankee

[CharlieDelta]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

I really wouldn't worry too much, many people have no experience with the sea at all. Research the job, the training and the company and you'll be in a good position. Perhaps watch "The Merchant Navy", a documentary by STV (Google it - it's available online), read through a few blogs (link to mine is in my signature, and I can also happily recommend size4's blog too, see the link to "Salt and Cider" from mine) and ask lots of questions here!

[Lewisscott22]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

I agree with CharlieDelta, the Merchant Navy TV series is really good and provides you with a view on everything. Again, a good bit of reading on the career and current affairs will help as well. That what I have been told to do anyway.

[bryan_s]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

about that, what would "current affairs" refer to? What kind of stuff are you really supposed to know?

Stuff like... First woman ever takes command of a Cunard Vessel?
or more like... Cruise ship Clelia II looses enginge in severe antarctic storm?
or really affair-ish stuff: Maersk has so and so many Finnyard ships on order? Total value of, gross tonnage.... etc

I am aware that the more you know the better it is, I find Shipping News interesting anyway so it's not an issue but what, more specifically are you supposed to know about the industry?

Wouldn't want to go there and be completely lost in space

Thanks

[Lewisscott22]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

about that, what would "current affairs" refer to? What kind of stuff are you really supposed to know?

Stuff like... First woman ever takes command of a Cunard Vessel?
or more like... Cruise ship Clelia II looses enginge in severe antarctic storm?
or really affair-ish stuff: Maersk has so and so many Finnyard ships on order? Total value of, gross tonnage.... etc

I am aware that the more you know the better it is, I find Shipping News interesting anyway so it's not an issue but what, more specifically are you supposed to know about the industry?

Wouldn't want to go there and be completely lost in space

Thanks

Yes, exaclty the sort of stuff they like to hear. Anything at all. Concern over future of training aid, Stena Line shuffle: 60 officer jobs to go, Most Sky crew arrested in Turkey, the Cadet death. They still say there is a shortage of officers!

Specifically? I suppose it really depends on what company you are applying to.

[bryan_s]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

I see, sounds good thanks!

[oldman]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

Ah well - this is my view, it is based on my experience in the British Merchant Navy and elsewhere.
A maritime background is not important at all.
What is important is :-
Is it really what you want to do ?
Do you have a reasonably sound basic education - you don't have to be a "rocket scientist" at the start, - in fact if you are overly academic that would be disadvantageous - I believe.
Do you "mix" well with other persons - some whom you may not like -
It is a small community on board a ship - and you cannot escape it - just like that.

[D-Triv]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

Thanks for your replies guys, really helped settle a few worries there. I keep up to date on the various issues of the shipping industry so hopefully not too much worries there. Thanks again guys!

[the swiss seaman]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

Hi,
by the way who could give me a good link with all kind of maritime news?

[alistairuk]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

Hi,
by the way who could give me a good link with all kind of maritime news?

It depends what type of news you are looking for?

For a general round up there's the Nautilus Telegraph (union newspaper) that's published monthly and available for free in most of the colleges or if your a union member they will deliver it to you - you can also read it online Here: http://www.nautilusint.org/Resources/Pa ... graph.aspx

If it's accident reports and the likes you can check out the MAIB's, CHIRP and MCGA's web sites - they also have twitter.

Other than that there's lots of subscription only services like llyods list and shiptalk.

CNN and BBC news are always good bets too - they generally pick up on the stories first especially if there's Americans involved or marine life being killed.

[alistairuk]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

about that, what would "current affairs" refer to? What kind of stuff are you really supposed to know?

Stuff like... First woman ever takes command of a Cunard Vessel?
or more like... Cruise ship Clelia II looses enginge in severe antarctic storm?
or really affair-ish stuff: Maersk has so and so many Finnyard ships on order? Total value of, gross tonnage.... etc

A lot are also just trying to see if you are aware of what is going on in the world - since you will be working with a worldwide crew and visiting various places of the world.

one of the questions I was asked was "so what has been in the papers today" - my mind just went completely blank despite having just read one a few hours before.

[CharlieDelta]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

Accident reports are definitely a good start - they tend to pitch at the layman so they explain a lot of nautical terms that you might come across, and give a basic idea of how ships are run.

[GuinnessMan]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

Just stay away from the fatal ones for the time being would be my advice.....

[Ash]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

Hi,
by the way who could give me a good link with all kind of maritime news?

Try http://www.shippingtimes.co.uk

[Just Ben]

Re: How important is a maritime background for application?

Try http://www.shippingtimes.co.uk

Just read about the MV RENUAR...

with pirates firing small arms and rocket propelled grenades

WO!

Would somebody explain pirates to me? They hijack a cargo ship and... ransom the crew? sell the cargo? why is piracy so high around somalia do they not have deterrents?

I hope my company doesn't operate there.