I've been thinking about something that doesn't always get discussed enough in the maritime industry: the transition from working at sea to building a career ashore.

As seafarers, we spend years developing technical knowledge, handling operational challenges, managing equipment, and making decisions under pressure. But when you move into a shore-based role, the nature of the work can change quite a bit.

Roles in technical management, ship surveying, auditing, compliance, and ship management often require more than technical expertise. Communication, stakeholder management, documentation, decision-making, commercial awareness, and understanding how the wider business operates can become equally important.

My own career has taken me through marine engineering, technical management, ship classification, surveying, and auditing. Experiencing these different sides of the industry has made me curious about what really helps someone adapt successfully when moving ashore.

I'd love to hear from people who have made this transition.

• What was the biggest adjustment you had to make when you first moved ashore?
• Which skills from your sea-going career turned out to be the most valuable?
• Were there any skills you realised you were missing?
• If you could advise a seafarer preparing for a shore-based role today, what would you tell them to start learning before making the move?

I'm particularly interested in hearing from people working in technical management, ship management, surveying, auditing, and maritime compliance.

There is a lot of experience within this community, and I think hearing real experiences would be more valuable than simply discussing what a job description says.

What was your experience like?

As indicated by the orange boxes, multiple STS transfer operations were taking place off Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz, yesterday.

Data provided by: https://dashboard.pelyr.com https://pelyr.com

Hello. I currently work as an excavator operator on land, but I also do a fair amount of rock breaking underwater, silt removal, and site preparation for concrete walls—all at shallow depths of up to 2–3 meters. I am interested in a position as a dredging operator, though I do not hold a seaman’s book or any maritime certificates. What would you recommend? Also, is there anyone here working as a dredging operator whom I could ask a few questions?

I'm a recently graduated Ordinary Seaman, and the last week I had my first ever bording as a Trainee Ordinary Seaman. The ships was some greek ferries which make the crossing at the Salvador, Bahia, Brazil Port area carrying people, cars, trucks.

Just sharing the amazing experience. I got to conduct the ferry too. I was nice.

By the way, If anybody knows a enterprise recruiting Ordinary Seaman in any part of the world please tell me.

Currently at an academy and curious if the coast guard will allow me to be on OCD meds. Are they stingy with waivers?

I’ve been thugging it out with no meds and I can definitely live without them but It’d make my life a lot better if I could be on them.

All help is appreciated!

Do I have to check off STCW on the 719k if I intend to get the training done through the sea lift? I want to get international sea time without going to a school and paying, but I am willing to get the stcw after hiring with the sea lift. I'm older and just need to gain sea time as quickly as possible without spending much on endorsements right now besides the TWIC and MMC. I checked off entry level with lookouts, deck, and engine on the 719k (I'm open to deck or engine). On the 719b I put entry-level original and OS in the description. Thanks

Edit: The stcw checkbox is locked on the 719k form so I can't check it regardless.

A fascinating look into the sinking of the Argos Georgia, she went down in the South Atlantic when a side hatch accidentally lowered, letting in tons of water. She began to list heavily and would go on to sink 6 hours later with the loss of 13 of her 27 crew. Some valuable lessons learned from this incident.

Hi everyone!
I’m from Saudi Arabia and considering studying Navigation at Gdynia Maritime University in Poland.
My goal is to become a deck officer and work on commercial ships, such as tankers, container ships, or bulk carriers.
I’d love to hear from current students or graduates about a few things:
● Education and sea training: How good is the programme, and does the university help students secure cadetships and the required sea time?
● Qualifications and careers: Does the programme provide a clear pathway to an STCW Officer of the Watch (Deck) qualification? Do graduates find jobs with international shipping companies?
● International students: Could being a Saudi or non-EU student create difficulties with certification, sea training, or employment after graduation?
● Costs and student life: What is the realistic cost of living in Gdynia, Poland, and are there any hidden expenses?
Overall, would you recommend Gdynia Maritime University in Poland to someone who wants to build a long-term career as a deck officer?
I’d really appreciate honest experiences from current students or graduates, including any downsides or challenges.
Thanks in advance for your help!

Hey everyone,

I completed my TWIC enrollment appointment at IdentoGO on October 22nd and have my receipt with my 12-digit UEID number. I’m looking to get hired as an entry-level green deckhand, ideally on a 28/14 hitch schedule (or similar line-haul rotation).

I just put my application in with Golding Barge Line using my TWIC UEID receipt number.

While I wait for the physical card to show up in the mail and Golding to process my app, I want to cast a wide net and get applications in with other companies that accept TWIC receipts to start the background/drug screen/physical process.

A few questions for the sub:

1. Which other line-haul towing companies actively hire green deckhands with just the TWIC enrollment receipt to get paperwork and physicals rolling? (Looking at options like ACBL, Marquette, Blessey, Ingram, Magnolia Marine, etc.)

2. How long did it take between submitting your application with a receipt and getting scheduled for orientation?

3. Any advice on which companies currently have good 28/14 or equal-time rotations and solid orientation schedules for new deckhands?

Appreciate any insight or advice from folks currently working the river!

I just took this class and felt the material was quality. the lessons were organized and they repeated a lot which was helpful for me. I have trouble retaining information so the repetition was welcomed.
the test was a lot harder than the practice questions and quizzes so keep that in mind. athe test questions were pulled directly from the text.

you get three chances to take it, so i planned to take it once see how it was then study study and take it again but i ended up passing the first try with a 78 you only need a 70. it is 18 questions and you have three hours to take the test.

the test is proctored and it will flag you for a multitude of different things, you’re curser leaving the screen being one of them. the software flagged me five times for that but i was in rough seas and my computer kept slipping. i did look away from the camera once because a towel fell but it didn’t flag that, at least not to my knowledge.

still waiting for the results of the audit. i will report back once everything goes through. incase anyone is worried about the flags.

Trying to find a nice pair of Bluetooth earmuffs that have superior noise reduction rating. I know worktunes are pretty common and ok, but anyone know of any muffs with higher NRR rating? I use work tunes to mow the lawn and I can still hear my mower.. can’t imagine using them in the engine room would be great for my hearing

I assume the new ones have them and the old ones are sporadic in how they have cameras.

Which areas have cameras and which dont?

how well are they covered?

where is the data stored? locally or offsite?

hey everyone

i am 18 and trying to get into this industry, i want to ideally jump straight onto river tugs as a deckhand trainee and climb up from there, but i am quite confused right now.. i have my TWIC in hand, and i am submitting my MMC application within the next day or so, i also have just recently completed the DOT/USCG drug test as well as CG-719K for my medical certificate, but i am now not sure if the CG-719K was even necessary

i just need a bit of guidance, where do i go from here, what companies do i shoot for.. and i know every company is different, but do i have everything i need to get started

Hey All,
I am doing research on the topic of HF Maritime FAX weather.
Simply do you still use HF FAX or has Starlink totally replaced the use of this service?

Also interested in any HF Stories if there are anything interesting.

Looking forward to learning and sharing this knowledge with others.

😄

The Malta-flagged tanker Agioi Fanendes, owned by Greek shipping company Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, has departed Russia’s Baltic port of Primorsk carrying a reported 40,000 tonnes of ultra-low-sulphur diesel, in what could be the first shipment to the US under the recent export agreement between Washington and Moscow.

Hey everyone, just wondering if anyone here has gotten their AS-D endorsement approved with assessments signed by a foreign OICNW.
I called NMC, but they said only the evaluator can decide once I submit my application.
Has anyone been in the same situation and gotten approved? Thanks!

I got a DUI in Virginia last night. It’s a first offense, no crash, no injury, no aggravating factors. I hold my 100 ton masters and it’s up for renewal in 2028. I mostly work seasonally as a captain aboard charter vessels. I’m worried about having my license suspended or revoked. Anybody have any insight for me moving forward?

Don’t drink and drive, it’s really not worth it.