4 Frequently Asked Questions in the Maritime Industry (And How They Can Help Aspiring Students Like You)

10:28 PM James Abram 0 Comments

Being a seafarer is a strenuous venture. Maritime schools Philippines implement strict rules and regulations as there are hurdles you have to overcome before you become a true blue marine. You might have asked yourself these queries too; so before you pursue this kind of career, let these 4 main questions serve as your guide:


1. What skills will help me succeed in this profession?

If you have these basic skills as early as now, then you’re one step ready to the profession of your dreams.

  • Endurance – The long hours, the emotional toll of being away from family, and vigorous physical activities are just some of the stressors that you have to endure when pursuing a career in the industry. A high tolerance for any kind of pain and passion for what you do can come a long way.

  • Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills – How you approach a problem is vital when choosing the life at sea. What would you do if there are serious emergencies like sudden severe ship damage, traumas, or medical matters? As a seaman, you have to think on your feet.

  • Interpersonal Skills – The people you will be interacting with will be your colleagues for months. Establishing a strong working relationship and getting along with your shipmates is an integral part of your survival.


2. What kind of work can I do on board?

You can consider these jobs at sea:

  • Captain – The captain usually takes care of the navigation and operation of all types of vessels. He/She also works with officers and crew to set a ship's speed and course, monitor a ship's positions, and avoid hazards. Captains also ensure their ship's engines and equipment are maintained and that proper safety procedures are up to par.

  • Ship Deck Officers – They are also referred to as the captain’s right hand. Ship officers are the people who hold a nautical or technical certificate of competence. They assure that vessel is held on its correct course for 24 hours.

  • Ship Engineers – Ships are complex machines that are divided in many parts. The ship engineers are responsible for keeping the ship and all of the machinery’s smooth running.

  • Ratings – They assist in their tasks like mooring, cleaning of the ship and its holds and repairing broken ropes. This require strong physical endurance


3. How about land-based careers?

Landing a career at this industry is not only limited to the sea. These can also be your options before considering entering a maritime school in the country:

  • Shipbuilding and repair careers – The engineering, design, construction, and ship repair fall under this category. You can choose among a roster of positions, ranging from riggers to diesel mechanics and marine engineers.

  • Port operations – Port activities like cargo loading and unloading are the main focus of port operations. The port is a busy place so make sure that you can handle the physical stress. Usual positions include port security officers and port and fleet managers.

  • Shore-based crossover – For those who don’t really prefer to go to sea, but would like to work for the industry, a shore-besd professional career is ideal for you. You can choose to be a warehouse worker, executive assistant, and chief executive among many other career options.

4. How can I cope with the stress?

Yes, it’s been proven that life at seas has its challenges but it also has its perks! Facilities vary from ship to ship but most vessels have recreational activities available for seafarers. Employers understand your needs and they will give you the necessary resources like home theater systems, gymnasium, libraries, table tennis, and for modern ships, they even have internet options to be able to communicate with loved ones.

No one can doubt the hardships that come with entering a maritime school here in the Philippines but think of it as a small price to pay for a long term of success!

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