Below are some questions I have received together with answers I have sent. I have deleted all names and some details that could identify the person asking a question.

General Enquiries

Question: [ No SUBJECT Line ] im a graduate of marine transportation can i apply to your company as a cadet thank you

Answer DO NOT leave SUBJECT line empty. Your enquiry can easily be taken as spam and is deleted straight from the in-box. Or some big agents / employers have an e-mail system that delivers the e-mail directly to certain persons, depending on the text in the subject line. When that is empty it cannot be forwarded by the system and isn't accepted at all.

When you apply for a job then in the Subject line you type: Job application - Position applied for - Your name: Family name, first name. Don't send any application like this. It' so easy not to notice any attachment and then delete the "empty" message. I have done that many times myself and the recruiters are all very busy people.

I'm neither recruiting agent nor employer. For cadet training go to "Ship Cadet Training"

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Question: No subject, no text, only: 1 attachment img746[1]...jpg (76.8 KB)
Answer: On every jobs page I tell my visitors to read "Marine Jobs - FAQ" BEFORE sending a question. On EVERY page. It means YOU TOO! Why didn't you do that ??

You must never ever - that is if you want a job - send something like this. Read How to Write a Maritime Job Application. I won't even bother to look at your scanned picture.

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Question: 6 Attachments (756.1 KB): rajurajku...doc (43.5 KB) , 1.jpg (129.2 KB) , 2.jpg (115.7 KB) , 3.jpg (137.8 KB) , 4.jpg (185.4 KB) , 5.jpg (144.5 KB)
Dear Captain
Please go through my resume and do the needful to me.
Thanking you

Answer: On every jobs page I have a note: "Before you send a question, please read "Marine Jobs - FAQ". It concerns also you. If you had read that page you would have known not to send me a job application beacause I'm neither recruiting agent nor employer.

Do you really think the recruiting agents have time to look through all your attachments and then try to figure out what job would be suitable for you. Each recruiting agent receives HUNDREDS of applications EVERY DAY. You must yourself find a suitable vacancy for which you have the required documents and necessary work experience. Then YOU choose the job which to apply for. The agent will only check whether you fill requirements or not. If not, the application is deleted. If you have everything needed, you will be "short listed" and may be you get the job.

Before you apply to any more agents / employers, read How to Write a Maritime Job Application

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Question: I'm a 3rd marine engineer in Sri Lanka & have work experience for 5 years. I would like to migrate to Australia. Can I find a suitable job from there.

Answer: May I suggest you contact your nearest Australian Embassy / consulate for that enquiry. They can give you more complete information.

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Question: PLEASE FIND THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT.

Answer: You don't say at all what kind of position you are looking for. As you have completed an "air hostess" course, I'm wondering are you male or female? Are you trying for job on Cruise ships, Superyachts, Cargo Ships, or Offshore?

First go to Advice to Newcomers to Ship Work. Once you have the necessary certificates and documentation and can decide on what kind of ship and what kind of job you want then you go to: How to Write a Maritime Job Application, see also section "Cover letter".

Then you go to the webpage where you expect to find the kind of jobs you are looking for. And start applying to the listed agents / employers. Always state straight away what position you are applying for, which of course means you apply only to currently open vacancies.

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Question: HI
I am .... from ... Here is my resume att with this mail and i request you to find a suitable job for me. preferebly in any country other than GCC Countries.

Answer: I'm neither recruiting agent nor employer. Who in hell are you to REQUEST me to find you a suitable job !!!!????? The agents work for the employers with whom they have made agreements / contracts to supply suitable persons for certain positions. The employers pay for that service.

Furthermore you have absolutely no experience about anything Maritime. Read Marine Jobs FAQ.

Read How to Write a Maritime Job Application. Read it before you send any more applications. You are the one who should be polite, the agent doesn't need to be that !

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Question: yes ,my name is .. ... im a commercial fisherman for 20 years ,im wanting to get something new in my life ,im single 39yars old and love to travel can you tell me or point me into the right direction on how ill get started at this, i have thousands of hours on the sea and cannot find where to begin

Answer: Changing from one sector to another is very difficult nowadays. Moving from one kind of job to a different kind of job within the same sector is not so difficult. Which means any new job within the fishing sector is what you should look for. Because your job experience isn't very relevant for anything else.

For instance on cargo ships or private yachts the STCW documentation / certificates are different compared with fishing boats. You could, however, consider job with fishing somewhere in the Pacific. I've heard the ladies over there are just wonderful. With 20 years as fisherman, I suppose you could look for a job as consultant or fishing "expert" or something like that.

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Question: Perhaps you can point me in the right direction. I`m aware now, after a few weeks of looking for offshore work, and being of the no experience variety, that it is near impossible. So, I`ve managed to find a few entry level floorhand courses, but they`re all so FAR away! ...I`m in South ... . Where should I look and do you think just a safety, offshore course ( BOSIAT and HUET ) are good enough to secure a job, or should I ideally do the entry level course?

Answer: Now I don't know about any entry level courses in ... . As you say they are far away - like in ... . Then as a female, I hope you have had a bunch of bigger rough brothers. The workers on the rigs are not exactly the loving and polite kind of men. Mostly they are the kind that think the top of manliness is to slap you on the ass with some sexy comment. You would have to be physically strong and of a technical mind with a lot of skin on your nose. If you can give "tit for tat", go ahead.

BOSIET and HUET courses are not for you to choose whether to take or not. They are mandatory on most offshore oil rigs as insurance company requirements. Which means they don't guarantee you will get a job but neither will any pre-employment courses guarantee you anything either.

The entry level job is called a "roustabout". A floorhand is somebody who's been promoted from roustabout ( a few years experience on rigs ) up to the drill deck. Get offshore career and job descriptions    2.7 MB.

Do you have any experience with any mechanical work? Without that I would say your chances are very close to nil. If you have some suitable work experience you could try to get on a maintenance crew. It would be easier for you to work with same men all the time, even if going around to different platforms.

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Subject = Marine FAQ enquiry [9 attachments, 3.4 MB]
Question: I would like to apply for a positon as a ROV PILOT TECH. with your company. I can be reached on this email address or tel: [ New Zealand ]

Answer: You send me a job application from "Marine Jobs FAQ" page. On that page I have several times in bold pointed out I'm neither recruiting agent nor employer. I'm advising people to read my page How to Write a Maritime Job Application. On that page and on Maritime FAQ page I several times point out don't send open applications, apply only to current vacant positions. On every jobs page I state clearly: "Go to the job listings on each website below and check for new opportunities". STILL YOU SEND ME AN APPLICATION.

On the application advice page I advice not to send all documents with the first application, just the CV / resume only. You attach 9 (nine) documents, total 3.4 MB. Because you are the most stubborn individual I have encountered for a very long time I'll copy your application and this answer to the FAQ page, may be somebody else will believe I really mean what I write on my pages.

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Question: Subject= looking vaccancy for AB possition. ( Attachments 9 MB ! )
Dear : Sir / Mom
Attach my document for your kind persuade
I hope get opportunity to work with your good managment
II waiting your repley
Thank you
Answer: I had already before answering this e-mail told the person to read Marine Jobs - FAQ.
By now you should know I'm neither recruiting agent nor employer. Never send this big attachment anywhere - 9 MB ! I don't think anyone is going to open it. Only send your CV with your first application - IF somebody asks for more THEN you can send but only what's being asked for.

You don't tell me what country you are from. Are you Indian? There's not much advice I can give when I don't know where you are from. I never managed to open your attachment.

Before applying anywhere else read "How to Write a Maritime Job Application".

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Question: ( a response to my reply ) Goodmorning Mr. Peter,
I have been working on board until March 21, 2006. My seaman's book is not expired, the seamen's medical is ok, first aid and fire fighting they are expired for sure because I attend that course in 2001, but in the passenger ship the 1°ETO doesn't need so necessary.

About the picture I have picture only with beard, but I can shave if somebody offer me a good contract. Thanks for your help.

Can you help me? Problably my CV is not write very good, problably the picture with the bear is not nice, but belived me, about my job I can guarante 100%.

Superyachts? Please!!! So, can you help me? Best regards

Answer: I already told you I'm neither recruiting agent nor employer. Only way I can help/assist is by suggestions to apply in a better way, at least you avoid those most common mistakes that not only you but very many others do. Keep in your mind that every recruiter gets up to 100 applications EVERY DAY and most of these have the SAME MISTAKES repeated again and again.

After a short time a recruiter, after seeing one of those mistakes, gets the feeling: "Why don't they ever learn ?" and deletes that application straight away.

So if you don't react on the advice I give, WHY SHOULD I BOTHER ? I already told you to include the last 5 years in your CV, to change your CV file name to English and to include expiry dates for your STCW certificates / documents. Still you send the same old CV to me again !! Why don't you read what I suggest, I mean don't just look at the text only!

If you leave that picture with half grown and unkempt beard in your CV until somebody offers you a job you will die with that same beard still on your face. Because nobody is going to give that offer.

You are living in one of the superyacht centres in the Mediterranean and the season is just about to start. It's the best time of the year to look for a job. But you have to go around to the marinas, walk along the docks and speak to the captains. You have to go yourself and ask for job - I can't do it for you! Before you go, please dress casually but smartly and SHAVE YOUR BEARD. Also do up-date your CV and do include a good reason for why you didn't work in 2007 and 2008.

Even if some Cruise Lines don't bother with firefighting and first aid certificates for an ETO, very many do. And that includes the best / biggest superyachts. Just because of those certificates you would have a chance for a job. There are many uncertified people going around trying for a job. But of course if it's never mind to you whether you get a job or not, go ahead and do it your way.

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Question : I RELAY DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHERE TO START ON A DREAM OF MINE
MY GREAT UNCLE WROTE LETTERS TO MY GRAND FATHER ABOUT HIS TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD
READING THEM HAS GIVEN ME A DREAM
I AM ON A WAY OF DOING IT THE SAME
HE WORKED ON THE SHIP AND TRAVEL
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTION
I WOULD OPERATE ANY THING

Answer:Yes it was possible still in the 1990's but today you cannot do so anymore. That's partly because of ships' insurance policies and very much because of International Conventions and rules, including immigration rules in different countries. Read Advice for Newcomers to Ship Work.

The only way you can even approximate his travels is if you go on a private boat / yacht as an unpaid companion - that's possible. Go to Boating-Superyacht Job Links.

When you apply for a job or anything serious, don't write with BLOCK LETTERS only. That's like standing at the street corner and shouting at the very top of your voice. It isn't very polite either.

In the section "Yacht Employment Opportunities", very close to a picture of a superyacht bridge, there is a link to "Checklist and suggestions ...", something you need to read before going further. An unpaid companion is what it says. In most cases you work for your food but you pay any extras like travel to and from the boat by yourself.

Further down there are several other links to "notice boards" where you can find boats planning to go for a longer trip and inviting somebody to join. For instance "Yacht crews needed worldwide. ..." is one of the biggest such sources ( "Floatplan" ). That's the only way you can do it nowadays. Remember to arrange for your own life and accident insurance before you leave anywhere.

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Question: I am a young Filipino electrical engineer and i just graduated last year and passed my licensure exam by September. By December i took my Basic Safety Training and got my SIRB ( same as CDC ) by January this year. I also have some basic certificates and docs needed. Since then I have been trying to apply in many agencies in Manila as an electrician trainee or cadet or wiper but it seems they prefer someone with a land job experience or with an inter-island experience. They adviced me this and that and say that I can come back and apply after.

I know that what they told is basically right and good but is there any way that i can go directly overseas? What detailed possible ways can I do ?

Answer: You have to be a professional to get a job overseas, regardless of kind of job. Get a trainee job either on "Superferries" or at Batangas ship-yard. At least one year.

After that you can start applying with some agents. Try this agent when you have the work experience already. There are no short cuts.

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Question: Hi i have been reading your website loads an have to say iv found alot of questions to my answers an alot of good places to look. But one question i cant find on your site or anywere else is this. If i do my world wide survival an get offered jobs all over the world Australia Africa etc. I'm a British citizen would i have to apply for visas to work in these countries? Please can you help so i know what i should do just my UK waters or other. thanks alot.

Answer: That's a good question ! Mostly the job description or job requirements mention what visa is necessary in advance. If other visas needed then employer usually arranges for those. As a British citizen I don't think you would need visa to work in another British Commonwealth country, like Australians doesn't need visa for UK.

Many times, however, it happens the job description is written concerning only applicants from same country as the agent / employer, i.e. the person who has written the job description forgets everything on the Internet is global. If you think that is the case and you are not sure whether the rules apply to you or not, then ask by e-mail. For instance: "I'm interested in the advertised position as ...... As a British citizen, would I need visa / work permit ?"

You can almost always check the agent's / employer's "corporate" citizenship from their "Contact" page. In what country is the Head Office ?

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Question: Captain, I have found your website to be very informative, accurate and full of great advice, I have a question. sir. I am a 65 yr old male, recently widowed, & I have not sailed since 1967. I have my US MMD, and the other docs., including SWC 95. I am in excellent health, and good physical condition. In your opinion, how difficult would it be for me to acquire a position to go sailing on the deep blue? I do not know if it is a real possibility, Or just a pipe dream. I value your experience, and knowledge. Thank you in advance.

Answer: Your STCW documents have expired long time ago. They are valid 5 years only. In my opinion you have no possibility to work on a commercial cargo / passenger ship. Official retirement age for officers is 65.

Even if you have all your documents up to date and would have been sailing all the time, once you get over 60 cannot get a NEW employer anymore. It's because the insurance companies doesn't have any previous health data and you would be a "high risk" person, which means higher premiums and employer wouldn't pay.

What you could do would be to try the private yachts. If you were British you would have to go in March / April to the yacht centres in the Mediterranean and walk around and talk with the crew. As you are American, you would go to Fort Lauderdale in Florida and do the same.
I wish you luck!

Cargo Ship Job

Question: I am writing to express my interest in applying for vacancies at your organization. Based in Ghana West African, I am holder of Motor Vehicle Technician Three City & Guilds. also completed I.M.O Mandatory Short Courses from Regional Maritime University Ghana and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate from British Council, IELTS Australia and University of Cambridge.

Answer: I'm neither recruiting agent nor employer. Second, if you want to work on a ship, go first to Advice for Newcomers to Ship Work.

To work on a ship you need the "Basic Seafarer's Course" + Seaman's Book + Passport + Seaman's Medical ( fitness ) certificate.

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Question: Thank you for your mail and advices, but please try to find a job for me. Please see attached for my CV.

Answer: I already told you I'm not a recruiting agent. You have to find a suitable agent / employer by yourself from my listings and apply for your job by yourself. Go to Cargo Ship Job Links. On that page there is one ... recruiting agent, try that one for instance.

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Question: I have spent many hours searching the Internet for employment and have sent many dollars for the guides. Were talking 3 months, 18 hour days, $1700.00. I am exhausted and still have not secured a job.

I would like to direct my resume to a company that is hiring a Maritime Electrician, or an offshore supply boat as a QMED unlicensed Engineer. If I qualify for an oil rig position that would be acceptable also. I have all my qualifications and I am available ASAP.

As you will see I have been with the Major Shipping Unions but I no longer wish to sail with them. I am looking for something in the way of a Tramp Steamer that pays well and the voyage will last anywhere from a few months to 1 year.

Answer: First I had a look at your CV. Why are you hiding your birth date? Is it very close to 60?
Second, just listing onboard jobs 20-30 years ago doesn't have any meaning because the possible documentation from that time isn't valid anymore. To get a job onboard - as an electrician - you shouldn't be over 50 years of age. Of course, if you are already employed onboard a ship when you reach that age - that's no problem. It's when you are over that and try to find a crew position with a new employer you will notice there's suddenly a barrier. This is in most cases due to the insurance companies, it could cause the employer a higher insurance premium if employing such an "old" new employee.

Being a long time with the seamen's unions can in the US some times rise a red flag at the employer's office - is this a union man? There are really no "Tramp Steamers" any more. Almost all cargo to and from US goes and comes by container, except for dry bulk and oil ("wet" bulk ). You must have a current USCG ( US Coast Guard ) license to work on a commercial vessel nowadays.

Also your CV, please change the file name from "Complete CV" to "family name,first name-CV.doc". With the current file name it's possible somebody applies with the same employer / agent and gives his/her CV the same file name and yours is overwritten in the employer's / agent's data base. You must also include your personal details: place and date of birth, passport + seaman's book numbers and expiry dates, expiry dates for all other valid STCW documents as well as seamen's medical certificate. Usually a list of employment / employers for the last five years is enough.

Go to: How to Write a Maritime Job Application and also look at the "Example Application" for additional ideas.

Offshore

Question: I am a 25 year old ... male and have my high school qualification and a 1 year business certificate after school.

I am really keen to work on oil rigs or similar and am at present doing the "Offshore Survival Course" at the ( training centre ) in ... .

What other courses would you advise I do and what is the best way to apply for employment ?

Answer: Please note there are a lot of people who want to work on the oil rigs, much more than number of available jobs. The usual entrance "trainee" job is roustabout, which is a manual / TECHNICAL job. As there are more applicants than available jobs only those with previous mechanical / hydraulic / electrical / welding work experience, preferably at least a couple of years, have any change at all. You don't have any technical background, not even any work experience at all. Forget the manual job. The survival course is just a prerequisite. It doesn't guarantee any job at all.

Only possibility I can see is in catering, i.e. cabin cleaner, "assistant" to the assistant cook, or something similar. Although even for these jobs a couple of years of hotel / restaurant work experience is normally required. If you think that could be something for you, go to Offshore Catering Jobs.

The normal is to employ local people for the simple entry level jobs, so look up those ... catering links you find on the catering jobs page.

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Question: TRAIN TO APPLAY TO A CATERING AT THE RIGS .WHAT TO DO?

Answer: You enrol at a cooking school / hotel restaurant school, then you get yourself a job as ( Night ) Trainee Baker / Trainee Cook, or Assistant cook at a 3-4 * (star) restaurant for 2-3 years. That should be enough work experience for the rigs. Then you get your BOSIET + HUET + offshore medical ( fitness ) certificate and apply with a Offshore Catering Company. GO to Offshore Catering Jobs. For certificates go to: Offshore Training and Certificates.

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Question: I came across your website while looking for jobs in the offshore oil industry. Thank you for so much useful information. I found this paragraph most interesting - "Occasionally job opportunities for ( radio ) communications operators on offshore oil rigs, Marine Assistants and Port Engineers. A radio operator / officer must possess a GMDSS certificate".

Somewhere else I read that a radio operator can make around $62,000 a year. I was wondering where in the UK would I be able to find an opening for this job? I'm willing to show up in person for an interview or to apply. I can't seem to crack it on Google, so I was wondering if you have any tips or sources on where to start.

Answer: You can for instance apply for a job when you see it listed - if you have the competency and necessary certification. To get a GMDSS certificate you contact a Navigational School / College, they are the ones running these courses. To find that one you look in the good old telephone book - Yellow pages.

Somebody may be earn that much but you can win on lotto too - can't you? A much more probable monthly income would be about 4-5.000 $ per month ( which isn't much less ). There are not very many "radio Operator" jobs because very often it's the rig Medic that handles it on his stand by hours. It's an easy and boring job and very few employers take somebody to a rig if he's not occupied all the time. I don't think it's worthwhile to take the certificate with the intention to start a profession.

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Question: I am 32 years of age and i am looking for a job that would allow me to work offshore doign just about anything. I am an American, but i want to move to a different country, so this is why i am thinking about offshore work as a career. I am willing to be gone for days, or months at a tine, as long as i get some time off. Any information u could give would be greatley appreciated,

Answer: It's not that easy to start working offshore. Especially not right now with some oil production being cut down. The possible entry level jobs would be roustabout ( hard physical labour ), galley hand ( "washing dishes", pealing potatoes ), storekeeper, cabin steward ( cleaning cabins, washing people's clothes etc.)

If you have a background in welding / electrical work / instrumentation repair / hydraulics etc. then you can seriously think about it. Otherwise I wouldn't recommend, you would waste your time and money trying.

As American it wouldn't be easy for you to get work permit in some other countries because American government doesn't easily grant work permits to foreigners either ( very difficult to get ). Anyway, those entry level jobs ( roustabout ) usually goes to somebody local, for instance those in the Mexican Gulf to Americans and those offshore Brazil to Brazilians, etc..

If you think you still wanna try, go first to Offshore Training and Certificates.

You need a lot of certificates before you are allowed even onto the rig. These are all mandatory and note that if you want to work outside USA you must have Internationally valid certificates, i.e. OPITO approved. USCG ( US Coast Guard ) approved certificates are not valid outside US waters. Without proper certificates it's useless even to apply. This is so even if the employer is American, but if the geographic location of the rig is outside US waters then International rules apply.

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Question: I was hoping that perhaps you could give me some guideance. I am 43 years old, French but speak English fluently. The job situation at the moment is dire. I want to work offshore and am prepared to take the OPITO test. However, do you have any suggestions on who I can contact to work offshore land or platform based. I have a crawler crane ticketNVQ2 plus my CPCS is this ok for platform work? Or do I need a different exam and if so what is it and where can I take it.

Answer: Your crane operating experience is sure good work experience to start from. There is, however, a big difference between a land crane and an offshore crane. Offshore everything moves all the time - in several directions at the same time. Even you are on a fixed platform that's steady, when picking up some cargo from a supply boat, that boat isn't tied up to the rig and it's moving up and down with the waves and possible back and forth a little bit as well as sideways because of the wind and/or current + corrections in the position. If you are on a barge the barge will also be moving at the same time and very often in a completely different rhythm ( it's bigger ) and in different directions.

You need a special offshore crane operators certificate, preferably at least "Sparrow level 2", more info on Offshore Training and Certificates. Please note in addition you must also have HUET + BOSIET + offshore medical ( fitness ) certificate. You find information about all these on the page I mentioned.

Once you have HUET + BOSIET + crane operator's certificates you can for instance contact Bourbon, which is French and one of the bigger offshore operators. You find a link to their website on Offshore Job Links.

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Question: We would just like to enquier how we should apply for available vacancy's We are Emergency Personnel and are intrested to work on Oil Riggs If you could please assist us we are Located In South ... and are Registerd EMT-B and EMT -I

Answer: Please go Offshore Medical Job Links.

Please note, to work as a rig medic you need an offshore medic's certificate. More info on the page mentioned above. Also necessary BOSIET + HUET courses and certificates from a OPITO approved training centre. I believe you can get these in ... . Further you need offshore medical (fitness) certificate issued by an authorised doctor. More info on certificates on Offshore Training and Certificates.

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Question: May I have the privilege to apply as a MEDIC DOCTOR in your company. I have been in practice for fourteen years now. I am a specialist in Orthopaedics and trauma. It is my desire for a change to be employed offshore. Hoping that I could be a part of your dynamic company.

Answer: Sorry, I'm neither recruiting agent nor employer. Although your medical specialty is well suitable on offshore oil rigs, be aware during a medics stand-by hours and when no accidents around the medic is often expected and required to fill his/her working hours with other non-medical work. Go back to Offshore Medical Job Links. Read the details on medic duties in the upper part of the page. I know some doctor who resigned as medic because, as he said it was below his "dignity" to service and maintain the firefighting breathing apparatuses. "I'm a DOCTOR !!"

There is also the possibility of going as a doctor on some onshore remote sites, whether oil drilling or mining, where more of your capabilities would come to fuller use. May be you would be over-qualified offshore. On that medical job page, scroll down the page until you get to the bigger picture of an oil rig, there you find "frontiermedical", which for you could be an alternative solution. It's the last of the employer listings.

Offshore survival and medical fitness certificates are required only offshore where the rig or the floating unit is in the water off the coast. Onshore sites doesn't require the same.

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Question: good day sir,
i am a certified 1st. assistant engineer. age 48 . sailing in the merchant navy from 1990.since 2000 i have been a 1st. assistant eng. holding a panama coc & a uk coc (motor.) i would like to know from you, sir, which course i should do that will enable me to switch as a safety officer in the offshore field & where i can do the course. thank you

Answer: First, I'm not aware of any safety / security officer jobs offshore. If you mean non-security personnel that would then be a HSE person ( Health, Safety, Environment ). That would require previous HSE work experience and good knowledge of applicable legislation and rules, especially as concerns environmental protection and accident prevention.

Second your previous experience as ship engineer has no relevance to a HSE person / officer.

Third, everybody on an offshore rig must have the survival and safety certificates as well as offshore medical ( fitness ) certificate. For more information on these go to Offshore Training and Certificates. Your STCW documents are not valid offshore, neither is your seaman's medical certificate.

Sorry to say, but I don't see any chance for you to do the desired switch over. It's not anymore as easy as before to switch from one work sector to an other unrelated one.

Superyacht Jobs

Question: I had a quick question: if I get my STCW in Fr-Lauderdale, will it be accepted on boats with a European flag? Secondly, how hard is it to find work as a married couple. we have been married for 5 years and have worked together in a restaurant.

Answer: The US Government has never signed the STCW convention, as they don't sign any other international conventions either. Instead they have implemented about the same rules ( slightly modified ) as a national law overseen by US Coast Guard ( USCG ). A USCG issued STCW certificate or a certificate issued by any training centre approved by USCG is not valid as such outside US. On a UK flagged yacht you would in such case as minimum require a MCA ( UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency ) endorsement and in other countries ( for instance Australia ) their endorsements.

From your e-mail I can see you are now in UK (?). You would be better off to get a MCA approved / authorized / issued STCW certificate before leaving anywhere. There are several possible training centres. Go to Superyacht Training and Certificates. A MCA approved certificate is the global standard certificate and accepted everywhere, except in US you would need an endorsement of equivalency. Such endorsement is however just a formality.

For your second question, it would probably be easiest for you to get a job together through one of the management companies. There are some listed on Boating-Superyacht Job Links.

On the other hand, being present in person at Fort Lauderdale would give you an "extra point" when applying. But then it's difficult for foreigners to get a job on US flagged and even US owned but Bermudas flagged vessels. Especially if you don't have previous superyacht experience. Just the lack of that experience could serve as a good excuse not to employ the two of you. Again you would be better off starting from UK.

Once you get a couple of years experience from working onboard superyachts then you can get a job almost anywhere. The demand for crew is strong, but that's true only as far as the crew have EXPERIENCE. There are plenty inexperienced people looking for these jobs.

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Question: Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010
I have a few questions, if you're willing to answer all, thanks!
1. Is there work to be found as a deckhand on yachts in NW Ireland, and how ?
2. How difficult is the Mediterranean Industry to plug into this year ?
3. Is it worth the risk to actually fly to Palma Mallorca and look for work as a female deckhand ?
4. What other remote parts of the world offer charters and how do I find work there ?

Answer: When you look for job on yachts you have to go where the yachts are. I don't think there are many yachts going around in Ireland because there's not much to do for those rich people. Now the season has already started in the Mediterranean and you are little bit late.

If you want a chance at a job on any of those Superyachts you need to have these 4 mandatory safety courses:

1. Personal Survival Techniques (STCW A-VI/1-1)
2. Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention (STCW A-VI/1-2)
3. Elementary First Aid (STCW A-VI/1-3)
4. Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (STCW A-VI/1-4)

I think it's too late to get these this year. To get those certificates you check out those training centres listed on Superyacht Training and Certificates.

May be you have to take a vacation this year, attend to your certificates next winter and start your career next spring. But much earlier, you should as a newcomer start not later than first week of March - Palma de Mallorca or Antibes. If you go to the Mediterranean still this spring without any STCW documents you will find yourself together with a thousand other hopefuls, also without certificates and the chances are you don't get anything.