The shipping and maritime industry has contributed to the world’s prosperity. However, the number of seawomen working in the industry is very limited. Most women are reluctant to join this difficult profession for many of the reasons mentioned above. However, some of them excel at sea and hold their heads high.
A seafaring career does not necessarily mean a career at sea. It is natural for any sailor to look for shore work after a long career. Work means being away from home, friends, and family. It is common to feel lonely and bored in the life of a sailor. At some point in their career, most seafarers want to look for shore work. It seems that sailors are often unaware of some of the job opportunities on shore.
List of Top Maritime Seawomen Courses
Shipping is a huge industry and has developed into sub-industries covering many fields. The sailing experience is vivid and realistic. We must know that every sailor has the ability to work on land, which values his skills, knowledge, and experience. The training and experience gained in a shipping career can be used in various maritime industries and various fields. To be successful and excel, you must continuously develop your skills.
There are many industries that sailors can get involved in and make a fortune. Here are some of them:
1. Maritime Instructor or Trainer:
Maritime training institutes are experiencing significant growth. Experienced seafarers who wish to pursue a career in teaching can join these institutes and work towards developing and improving high-quality maritime training programs, ensuring that competent graduates are produced for the maritime sector. It is very important to train junior seafarers and help them think critically and solve problems to meet their expectations on board.
Seafarers can use their experience and previous studies to impart knowledge to students, educate and prepare aspiring seafarers for life at sea so that they can perform their duties on board diligently and efficiently. Many maritime colleges/universities operate training ships that require excellent capabilities to provide the necessary basic seafaring knowledge. One solution seems to be to hire deck officers or marine engineers who have left the maritime world and have enough seafaring experience. Seafarers who have served on ships can contribute to the training and development of the next generation of seafarers and help them pursue their dreams.
2. Surveyor:
Any deck officer holding a certificate of competency as a master of a foreign ship, and any ship engineer holding a certificate of competency as a chief engineer, are eligible to become a Class I surveyor, who is responsible for verifying the seaworthiness of the ship. A Class I surveyor is responsible for inspecting and checking the hull and marine equipment of a ship in accordance with national and international regulations to determine the overall condition of the ship and ensure the quality and safety of the ship.
An experienced seafarer has good observation skills and technical knowledge and is familiar with every detail of the ship. Therefore, he/she can more easily find loopholes and prepare the ship for safe navigation. Any seafarer with enough sailing experience can join a maritime surveying distance learning course from a well-known university, which will help them hone their professional skills and better understand the roles and responsibilities of a maritime surveyor.
3. Nautical Writers:
Nautical writers are another option for sailors who have given up sailing after a long time at sea. Sailors can add their long sailing experience and the knowledge accumulated over the years to the book, which is very useful for naval officers. Experienced sailors have overcome all the obstacles of seafaring life and know exactly what a young officer needs to do to pass the proficiency test. With this in mind, marine books can be written that not only help students prepare for the exam but also help them gain a clear understanding of the subject. This book can provide sailors with the required knowledge in the field clearly and concisely. Existing authors can be consulted for valuable insights and suggestions.
4. Start a business:
After saving enough money, he can consider starting his own small business on the beach and being his own boss. Starting a business requires passion, perseverance, and determination, which is nothing new to sailors. Sailors can consider starting a family bakery, catering business, or other business…
4. Entrepreneurs:
Once you have saved enough money, you can consider starting your own small business on the beach and being your own boss. Starting a business requires passion, perseverance, and tenacity, which are nothing new to sailors. Sailors can consider starting a family bakery, catering business, or anything they are passionate about. There will always be a demand for food, and there will always be a market for food-related businesses. Small family gatherings can be organized with business partners. Investing in a franchise is also a great way to become a business owner without having to develop an idea or marketing strategy. There are many other ways for sailors to invest and start a business. Consider opening a small shop.
5. Ship Brokerage and Chartering:
For those who have worked in the shipping industry, ship brokerage is not a complicated profession. As a profession, it has been constantly evolving. A ship broker is a person who acts as a negotiator between ship owners and charterers. The role of a ship broker can be divided into finding ships for cargo and finding cargo for ships. This job necessarily requires in-depth knowledge of ships and cargoes, methods of loading and unloading various cargoes, weather patterns, etc. Newcomers can join educational courses offered by the Chartered Institute of Shipbrokers to gain a deeper understanding of the profession. Organizations such as Clarksons also offer training programs for trainee brokers to enhance their skills. The program gives you an insight into the culture and environment of leading shipbroking companies, helping you to play a role globally. It also provides opportunities to receive training at leading brokerage companies.
6. Ship Operation Management:
Ship management is one of the most exciting and challenging areas in the shipping industry. As the name suggests, ship management involves the process of managing a ship within an agreed-upon time. Ship management includes various aspects such as commercial, operational, technical, crew recruitment, financial, administrative, quality, and safety.
- Career Paths in the British Merchant Navy
- How to start Your Career in Merchant Navy?
- How to Make a Career in Merchant Navy Denmark?
- 10 Reasons Why Merchant Navy is a Great Career Choice
Experienced seafarers can then join land transport companies as fleet managers, safety and quality managers, trainers, technical managers, etc. Seafarers can join various management courses, both remote and regular, to help them analyze the basic job requirements. These courses provide them with the skills, knowledge and tools needed to develop business strategies and successfully manage their business. Shipping companies prefer to hire crew members who have worked on their ships because they have a close relationship with the company. It is easier to hire executives who have a clear understanding of the company.
7. Maritime regulators:
Government jobs are starting to get noticed again. Naval officers can also avail government employment benefits by working in the Ministry of Shipping. Seafarers holding foreign master’s certificates of competency are also eligible to join reputed maritime regulators, such as joining the Director of Shipping as a Chief Officer, or as a Marine Surveyor responsible for conducting Master and Chief Officer examinations.
They can also take up higher positions such as Deputy General Manager, Assistant Director or Maritime Advisor. Other qualifications such as a Master’s degree in Maritime Affairs or Maritime Policy are preferred. The nature of the work includes implementing the ISPS Code, working with Port State Control, organizing seafarer recruitment, and other tasks as required. Engineers holding a Certificate of Proficiency I or an Additional Certificate in Engineering I are also eligible to apply for this position. The recruitment process is done directly through UPSC (each state has its own type of exam). Interested parties should follow the recruitment news for circulars and other information.
8. Ports and Harbor Management and Pilotage:
Ports are busy places and offer excellent employment opportunities in many different fields. Ports must keep pace with changes in global maritime trade if they are to remain competitive. Therefore, highly skilled and capable professionals are needed to develop strategic business plans. Some of the jobs in port operations include technical work, management, vessel traffic services, and pilotage.
Sailors who have served in senior positions at sea have the necessary skills, knowledge, and understanding that make them ideal candidates for these roles. In addition, a degree in port management is an excellent opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of the rules and regulations surrounding port operations around the world, as well as the economic and commercial aspects of port operations.
Final words
There is a wide variety of jobs available on the planet. Please note that this is not a complete list. You can do anything you are passionate about. Seafarers have a comprehensive understanding of how the international shipping industry is integrated. They have the dedication, knowledge and the right skills for field work. After gaining enough seafaring experience, they can move from sea to shore, settle on land and stay connected with their loved ones.
