Sea Going
A life on the ocean wave? There are careers in fishing, the Merchant Navy or the Royal Navy to think about. Fishing involves sailing in ocean, coastal and inland waters to catch not only fish but crustacea and molluscs too.
The Merchant Navy is the collective term for the shipping industry and includes passenger ships such as ferries and cruise liners, container ships, tankers (oil, gas and chemical), bulk carriers and specialised vessels. You could be an officer or a member of the crew, work as an engineer or be part of the hospitality and support services – all roles that work as a team to ensure the safe operation of the ship and delivery of its cargo or passengers.
An officer in the Royal Navy is trained as a specialist to perform key operational roles, with management responsibility for people and state-of-the-art equipment.
Specialists in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines work together to carry out vital work in ships, submarines, aircraft, naval air stations and shore-based establishments.
And with seafaring expertise you can also get many shore-based jobs should you decide to move on – for example, marine pilots, harbour masters, ship surveyors, ship management and government departments including the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. It can also provide a firm footing into maritime business careers.
 Case Study
Junior 2nd Officer
MARTIN SHEEHY, MSY Wind Surf
“I am a newly-qualified deck officer having completed my cadetship with Viking Recruitment Ltd on Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises Vessels. As officer of the watch, my day starts at 0800 when I go to the bridge and take over. I’m responsible for the safe navigation of the Wind Surf and for the safety of all her passengers and crew.
There are usually just two of us on watch – myself and a quartermaster, but with Windstar Cruises we have an open bridge policy so passengers can visit the bridge at any time to see what we do and to speak with us. My watch finishes at midday when I hand over the ship to the 12-4 watch keeper.
Afternoons are spent working in lifeboats, ski boats or with any other lifesaving equipment I’m responsible for. I start back on the bridge at 2000 when I take over the watch again and work through till midnight, before starting all over again the next day!
When I’m not working I either spend the time exploring the ports ashore or diving. So far my short time at sea has taken me to many of the most beautiful places in the world – cruising around the glaciers in Alaska, anchoring off a secluded beach in the Caribbean and being at the Monaco Grand Prix.
There is never a dull moment at sea, every day is different and you never know what to expect, the challenges are endless!” |
