There are two good ways for the complete novice to get a job on a freighter. One is by going from ship to ship and asking each captain if he needs (a) a deckboy or (b) a workaway. A deckboy is part of the crew and gets paid (although very little) and a workaway gets no wages at all but swaps labor for his passage.

Furthermore, How do you become a cruise ship officer? To help you gain these skills and qualifications and begin your cruise ship captain career, here are some steps you can use:

  1. Complete your diploma. …
  2. Attend higher education. …
  3. Obtain necessary certifications. …
  4. Pursue an entry-level role. …
  5. Consider graduate school. …
  6. Research open roles. …
  7. Prepare your application materials and apply.

What qualifications do you need to work on a cargo ship? First, you need to have maritime certification to gain employment on a cargo ship. Certification includes age requirements, demonstrated sea skills, and competency in various areas of ship protocol and maintenance. Typically, you begin as an able seaman to learn the trade and study for exams.

Subsequently, Is maritime a good career? Even though it has been wounded during the pandemic, the maritime industry has been in existence for thousands of years, and a good sailor is always needed in every part of the world. This makes maritime a secure career choice.

How much do you get paid to work on a cargo ship?

Container Ship Salary

Annual Salary Weekly Pay
Top Earners $67,500 $1,298
75th Percentile $53,000 $1,019
Average $45,656 $878
25th Percentile $27,000 $519

What is salary of cruise ship captain? The salary that a cruise ship captain earns is usually in the range of 15000-25000 USD per month, depending upon rank experience, seniority and company pay scale.

Do you need a degree to be a ship captain? Many captains start as deck hands or officers. In order to be a deck hand, you typically must have a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation. These programs might include a few years of classroom instruction combined with one year of instruction at sea.

How much do cruise directors get paid? The salaries of Cruise Directors in the US range from $10,187 to $201,145 , with a median salary of $36,719 . The middle 57% of Cruise Directors makes between $36,723 and $91,363, with the top 86% making $201,145.

How much is the salary of deck boy?

ITF Standard Wage Scale (2012-2015)

No Rank or Rating Basic monthly pay (US$)
28 Messroom Steward 1233
29 OS 1077
30 Wiper 1077
31 Deck Boy 867

• Aug 10, 2015

How do I get a maritime certification? To obtain an STCW endorsement on the rating or license that you hold, you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements such as age, sea-service, training and onboard assessment. To receive STCW endorsements, you need to complete U.S. Coast Guard-approved maritime training courses that prove your competency.

What is life like working on a cargo ship?

On commercial ships, work is organised into four-hour shifts, which means that crew members are on duty twice for four hours during any 24-hour period. Consequently, some people will be sleeping during the day so taking a freighter cruise means showing maximum discretion and a quiet manner.

Why seafarers quit their job? Seafarers suffer erratic sleeping schedules, extreme working stress, unfavorable environment, inaccessibility to fresh foods, and inadequate medical facilities that affect a seafarer’s health drastically. Seafarers diagnosed with health conditions are obliged to quit sailing.

Why seafarers quit sea jobs?

Main Reasons Seafarers Quit Sea Jobs

  • Unsettled Lifestyle. This is the most common and obvious reason as these days more seafarers want “settled” jobs on shore. …
  • Hectic Life. …
  • Onboard politics. …
  • Lack of Social Life. …
  • Away from the Family. …
  • Personal/ Family Problems. …
  • Rise in Maritime Piracy. …
  • Health Issues.

How long do seafarers stay at sea?

The duration of seafarers’ contracts varies, but they typically work between four and six months on ships, followed by a period of leave. When at sea, they often work 10-12 hours shifts, seven days a week – performing tasks that require constant professional attention.

How much do ship sailors make? Ship Crew Salary

Annual Salary Monthly Pay
Top Earners $54,500 $4,541
75th Percentile $43,000 $3,583
Average $35,497 $2,958
25th Percentile $23,500 $1,958

How much do container ship sailors make? Once you’re caught up on the workings of the big ship, though, the average salary for a container ship sailor is around $41,000 (source). Since life on the water can be unpredictable, many sailors choose to become members of unions that work to protect the working conditions and wages of seafaring folk.

Do cruise ships pay well?

The 35 current and former cruise-ship employees who spoke with Business Insider had average monthly earnings of about $3,233 and median monthly earnings of about $2,600.

How much does a Freightliner captain make? Captains make $160,000 to $200,000, according to Glenn Kolke, marine personnel manager for Interlake. There are two paths to advance in the ranks, by graduating from a maritime academy or “climbing up through the hawsepipe.” That means learning on the job, rather than earning a maritime license from an academy.

Can you survive if you fall off a cruise ship?

What are the chances of surviving a cruise ship fall? Sadly, most cases—an estimated 85 to 90 percent—end in death.

How many years does it take to become a ship captain? Generally it takes about 11 years for a candidate to go from a cadet to qualify to be a captain of a ship.

What should I study to become a ship captain?

The primary thing to become a Ship Captain is to choose the right education where the first step is to complete a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Maritime Engineering. There are a number of universities and engineering schools that offer the best Marine Engineering courses.

How do you become a ship captain in the US? Things You’ll Need

  1. High school diploma/GED certificate.
  2. Merchant marine degree.
  3. Deck hand experience.
  4. Rating exam prep course.
  5. Internship.
  6. Transportation Worker Identification Credential.
  7. Merchant Mariner Credential.
  8. Marine captain’s license.


Join our Careers Advices Community and share you ideas today !