r/maritime

everyone,
I’m 20 years old from Algeria and I’ve been admitted to the Bachelor’s program in Maritime Science and Technology at the University of Genoa (Italy).
During my online pre-enrollment, I have to choose between two curricula:
Deck Officer
Engineer Officer and Electro-Technical Officer
I don’t have any previous maritime experience, so I’m trying to make the best long-term decision.
My goals are:
Good career opportunities.
Ability to work internationally.
Possibility of moving to a shore-based job after several years at sea.
Stable employment and career growth.
Which path offers better long-term opportunities in Europe, especially if I eventually want to transition to a shore-based career?

I am a new cadet on a container ship going to the Arctic. So far, the officers have expected me to work every single day for the duration of my sea phase (about 5 months). I know that legally they can do that. However, I have to do two sea phases worth of assignments in one sea phase. Is it unreasonable to ask for 1 day off a week to complete my school work? I just don't see how I can work an average of 65h/week on deck and do my assignments.

Hi, I (M 23) want to be a merchant marine officer in deck as that always have been interested to me. I tried once back in 2023 to try get into it but at that time because of miscommunication between me and university and because of a physical injury, I chose IT and have graduated with a bachelor this year in February. I am not planning to go to IT anymore so this time I am finally going to become a merchant marine officer.

So, I am saving money now for the merchant marine officer course. I am currently living in Australia as an immigrant. I have until 2028 and currently using that time to save up money. I have 2 options which I am listing below. I need advice on them.

Option 1: HVL (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences), Norway

I have chosen this one because after researching, I have found that Norway has one of the best maritime fleet and they are also one of the highest paid country for merchant marine. This university in particular offers student with a mandatory sea time. It means i will not have to worry about getting a cadetship. The only problem is I have to learn Norwegian which I am already doing. The tuition fees will be around $80K - $85K for a 3 year course + sea time. So, I am looking at a 4-4.5 years until I can become OOW. And there is a high chance of getting hired.

Option 2: AMC (Australian Maritime College), Australia

Now, AMC has been always my favourite. I applied to AMC back in 2023. I am already familiar with Australia and it is a english speaking country so it won't be a problem. The pay is identical with Norwegian pay. Here I have to find my own sponsor for the cadetship which is hard as Australia hires very little for their cadetship from international. I have to pay around $120K for a 4 year tuition fees and with the sea time it will take me around 6 years to become OOW. There is very little chance of me getting hired and the future does not look very good in case of hiring as an immigrant.

In both cases, I can save up to $65K for now as my current estimation. So, I am not worried about tuition fees. But this will be a very big decision so I want to decide carefully and focus on thing. I have wasted 3 years, I don't want to waste much time again. So I will be very helpful, if you can give me advice. My ultimate target is working in LNG or OIL and GAS and do a 8 month on and 4 month off if possible.

If you guys have any other option, please let me know.

62 years old and looking to get into some sort of Yacht Delivery. Anyone know what license I would need to get and where to look to become a mate on delivery of yachts say from Florida to the North East?- Just looking for something part time.. Even if its 1-2 a year.. Is it possible or should I join the shuffle board club here? Uggh

If so have you heard anything?
I had my first round motivational and compentacny based at 1th of June

I applied for UK office

I have an extended family member doing their 90-day cadet term on a river tug boat. The boat basically never stops - it gets grocery deliveries from a service that meets the boat on the water. Are they just completely out of reach for personal deliveries till it's over? I'd like to surprise them with a care package if possible, but not if it would be weird and draw unnecessary attention.

Hi all. Is there many west european sailors out there? Do you find your career worth it? As I heard much of the people find the maritime career underpaid considered to the money that cam be earned on shore in Germamy/France. Also many countries do not have good tax arrangements. Anybody reolocated their land life to more favourable countries like Croatia, Montenegro?

I’m an early 30s Navy vet and currently a white collar federal employee on a stable career path. I have an offer for a GS-13 federal job in the D.C. area ($120k+) that would come with a Top Secret clearance, retirement/pension, etc. Realistically, I could retire making $175k in today's money and with 45% of that in pension per year for the rest of my life.

I’ve also been accepted to SUNY Maritime’s grad license program, and I need to make a decision soon whether that's what I want to do. My goal would be to work on the Great Lakes. Here are my questions for you all (especially if you are a deck officer/work on the Great Lakes):

1. Am I insane (fr)
2. I know that rotations can vary significantly, but I would much prefer something like one month on/off or even three months on/off. How much freedom is there in choosing your rotation?
3. What are pensions like? I’ve done some Googling, I’m trying to hear it from people who are actually vested in a pension system.
4. How hard is this lifestyle on relationships, family, pets, and friendships? I am unmarried but want to be, and I can't have kids.
5. Does the work still feel worth it after the novelty wears off?

For background: I did three Navy deployments and spent time as a Master Helmsman. I genuinely loved shiphandling, being at sea, operational work, standing watch, being part of a crew, doing something real. Some of my best memories are from that world. I know Navy experience is not the same as merchant shipping, but it is part of why this keeps pulling at me.

All that being said, I’m very aware I may be romanticizing this. I know ships have plenty of bullshit too, but I am staring down the barrel of the next 35-ish years of work and I'm not sure the office life is for me.

Thanks for reading, I know these posts are annoying but I am very much in need of a reality check.

Where they took this distance 1000 meters for minesweeper clearance? Is that just vibe picked as surely safe distance?

On July 4, 1976, more than 200 tall ships from around the world gathered in New York Harbor for Operation Sail, the maritime centerpiece of the United States Bicentennial celebration. More than six million spectators watched the parade, making it the largest crowd in New York City's history.

With another Operation Sail taking place this Fourth of July as part of America's 250th anniversary, I thought it would be a good time to revisit the original event. I recently published this article for the Gotham Center for New York City History exploring the history of Operation Sail, the international fleet, and its significance for New York City during the fiscal crisis.

Been talking to a few compliance managers at 10-50 vessel operators and hearing a lot of still doing it in Excel or cobbling together reports manually every quarter.

For those of you dealing with FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS, or CII reporting — is that still mostly manual for you too? Or has your ops team found something that actually works without a big enterprise price tag?

Asking partly because I'm building something in this space and want to make sure I'm solving the right problem, not just what I think the problem is. Happy to share more if anyone's curious, but genuinely want to hear how people are coping right now. Cheers

Hi everyone,

I want to do some missions as an armed security gard.

Have stcw and previous military experience, region east europe.

No idea where to apply. Any advice is welcome. Here or dm.

Thank you

Im trying to figure out if i should study for Eto, Engineer or the deck. Each job has it pros and cons and id like to hear from peoples perspectives in the industry, or if you have friends in other roles what are their thoughts on the job. Saftey is also something id learn about, i do find the Engineer path interesting but apparently they inhale a load of toxic shite which doesn't sound great. Any help and insights would be appreciated please and thank you🙏