My school counselor talked about this seafarer career. He also said it's not for everyone. Only those who are willing to sail for months leaving family at home. Not everybody wants that. I'm pretty interested in this but I don't want to do engineering. Sefarers must be marine engineers right.

About married late. No comment. Many non-seafarers also got married late.

Captain. Sounds good. It's like pilot for ship rite.

i still need to consider other things like the working condition. My counselling teacher scared everyone la saying you weak guys better work in office. lol. But I always want to sail like a pirate.

When you go work for let's say 3 months. Do you stay onboard for the whole 3 months. Or do you get the chance to rest at ports.

I salute you bro And congrats.

Well I will think about this for some time. Not much people go into this field because they don't like the working condition. I also don't really know what i want to do. After watching pirates of carribean got inspired. I'm researching about this field online and will think properly.

This post has been edited by HiddenTrap: Jan 31 2009, 05:37 PM

Been reading about seafaring. Let me share a bit. With great money comes great sacrifice (subjective). or with great sacrifice comes great money...

Advantages:
- Very high starting pay. At a young age you are already rich.
- Salary can be very high. Exceeding 20,000...US Dollar for high ranks like Captain.
- Great prospects.
- Your qualification allows you to work anywhere. Maritime is international.
- Free living cost.
- Travel around the world. Don't expect too much as some workers can't even leave the ship. Ships today always want to move as fast as possible. But still can see places all over the world for free.
- Adventerous career

Disadvantages:
- Long periods on sea. Return home one or two times a year only.
- Hard work. 12 hours of work daily. On shifts.
- Marine engineers work in the noisy hot engine room.
- Sea storms, giant waves, seasickness
- The sea is your life. You are there much longer than you are on land.
- Far from family. Some wives of seafarers left their husbands. Can bring family onboard sometimes.
- Risky. If anything happens you are in the middle of ocean far from any civilisation. Pirates are always watching you.

Most sefarers are happy with their job. It's not that tough, horrible and lonely after all. They must be used to it. Besides if you love seafaring like some ppl then what job is better. Should you ever feel tired of sailing. You can transfer to a shore-based career.

This post has been edited by HiddenTrap: Feb 1 2009, 10:10 PM

4 month off/on is nice. And only 8 hours a day. I guess the higher your rank the easier the job.

I wish I can live on a ship for some time to experience seafaring life. But where got ah. Maybe can volunteer on a ship

My friends discourage me to work on ship. Saying it's no life . Maybe family also won't allow. ..so yea..

This post has been edited by HiddenTrap: Feb 1 2009, 11:58 PM

ya the life does sound exciting. The pay also sounds exciting. But there must be a reason why they pay you so much.

http://www.midwaysailor.com/military/shiplife.html

Btw I don't even know how to swim. Better learn swimming first in case you fall in the Atlantic ocean.

This post has been edited by HiddenTrap: Feb 2 2009, 07:55 PM

Mmm ya they are able to enjoy such entertainment in their free time. Everyday they work for 12 hours, sleep and enjoy for remaining hours.

ya seaferers will work in an international environment. I watched a vid on Youtube about seafarers. They came from everywhere from Philippines to India to Ukraine to Mexico all in one ship.

During induction program what do you have to do?

With your engineering background perhaps Marine Engineering would seem more familiar to you.

Changing from air to sea also means you will have to sail around the world for months and months. This is why not many people are into seafaring.

Aviation and maritime industry both interest me. Do you know that the maritime industry actually generates more money than aviation. Meaning it's a bigger industry

Is there any chance for me to work onshore if i take Nautical Studies. or is it compulsory to work on ship.

I mean terus work onshore. No need to sail at all.

This post has been edited by HiddenTrap: Feb 5 2009, 09:30 PM