Tweet
So I don't want to stay at sea all my life (hence posting anon, don't want it hindering future career options) and was wondering if anyone has made the transition shoreside to a completely different career, away from shipping altogether? Or knows of anyone that has done this? I'm speaking deck side by the way.
-
-
well if you've got some decent GCSEs or A-Levels there is nothing stopping you training as a chartered accountant when you've had enough of sea.
It might well bore you to death or stress you out to the point of a heart attack though.
Former TH cadet with experience of cruise ships, buoy tenders, research ships and oil tankers -
Seems to be a reoccurring topic with slightly older officers I've worked with (30-40 year olds) that want to settle down and have a family.
In reality though to get anything near the wage you're getting working at sea (tax exempt as well) you need to land a great job and usually have a relevant degree.Comment
-
I personally know of ex merchant navy officers becoming doctors, police officers, nurse, vicar, airline pilot and lawyer.
Jobs ashore in the industry are numerous, other options include ferries.Comment
-
It opens many doors, I would say.
Faststream did an interesting survey:
Cruise ship Captain with experience on-board Passenger Vessels ranging from 5500-150000 GRT.Comment
-
I came ashore over twenty years ago. As a deckie my qualifications counted for nothing shoreside, nobody needed a desk navigating around an office funnily enough! However my management skills were transferable and so I started my own business. Having owned, sold and run many different companies since then the main skills I needed were the people management skills I learnt in the MN. However, there was still a huge amount of learning I had to do along the way.
Moving shoreside is scary, you never lose the salt in your blood, but if you have the skills they are transferable and you can make a new career of anything. Many people do it and make a success of it, others miss the sea too much and go back. I sailed with a 3/O once who passed his ticket, moved ashore because his girlfriend wanted him to, learned to be a plasterer and hated it for 3 years. Eventually he came back to sea.....
Ian"Any damn fool can navigate the world sober. It takes a really good sailor to do it drunk." - Sir Francis Chichester.
"Waves are not measured in feet or inches, they are measured in increments of fear." - Buzzy Trent
"Careers at Sea" Ambassador - Experience of General Cargo, Combo ships, Tanker, Product Carrier, Gas Carrier, Ro-Ro, Reefer Container, Anchor Handlers.Comment
-
I came ashore in 1983 as a 3rd Mate, just as I was about to take Mate's course. Marriage, family etc etc... (And there was a pretty major recession on the go at that time too.)
Initially, I did take a big hit in terms of salary - I retrained in IT - Software development. After many jobs in ICT I now run a substantial ICT service and I'm well paid for what is interesting and challenging work. I know quite a few of my contemporaries have been successful with their own businesses as well.
Working at sea gives you a valuable set of transferrable skills that many employers want - maturity, flexibility, ability to 'handle situations' and take responsibility, initiative, perspective, people management, not afraid of hard work! And you'll probably have much better stories for the office nights out! ;-)
Life's too short to be unhappy. Do some research, take your time and then take the plunge. You won't regret it, but it might take a bit of time!Comment
Comment