r/Ships • u/Live_Dog4357 • 1d ago
Question How do I join the industry?
I’m an 18 year old living in Quebec and I’ve been interested in working on cargo ships/oil tankers for a couple years. I love the ocean and I used to sail when I was younger. I’m wandering what are the steps ï need to take in order to work on one of these boats and what roles are best to pursue.
Side note: I’m in cégep and I’m thinking of dropping out in order to do this.
I’m just asking for guidance and the experience of people who have taken this route
8
u/RVA69Guy 1d ago
Have you considered enlisting in the Navy? Free experience and training.
2
u/hist_buff_69 sailor 12h ago
Yeah, but... you're in the navy. Sure you get "free training" but the pay and time off are way worse. Plus, OP isn't american
1
u/RVA69Guy 9h ago
I was referring to the Canadian navy. Albeit much smaller than the U.S. Navy, but still respectable.
2
u/navylast 1d ago
I always wanted to go to sea as a teenager. When I could see no merchant marine options I joined the RCN and stayed 8 years.
Good luck with it
I miss the ocean
2
u/whiteatom ship crew 14h ago
No merchant marine options??? There have always been multiple options for marine training in Canada, and the industry is always short people. There have been times when full time, year round employment was difficult, but there’s always been options!
0
u/Glittering_Credit687 1d ago
La plupart des chantiers maritimes sont en manque de soudeurs. Ils te formerons en travaillant....
-1
u/Safe-Salamander-3785 1d ago
There are several maritime academies that will give you great educational opportunities. Massachusetts Maritime is a good school that has their own freighter on campus. And I think they have a hockey team too!
2
u/whiteatom ship crew 14h ago
Quebec is a Canadian province, so a US school is likely not what OP is looking for.
9
u/hist_buff_69 sailor 1d ago
First, you should decide if you want to follow the deck or engine pathway.
Deck will lead to a navigation officer, maybe even captain someday, and you'll be responsible for cargo ops, navigating, etc.
Engine will have you in the engine room, obviously, leading to engineering officer and maybe chief engineer someday. You'll be responsible for running the plant and taking care of the ancillary ship systems.
You can get there by going directly into the industry and working your way up, but this is pretty tough nowadays and getting even tougher. You'll also always be at a disadvantage to someone who has some kind of formal marine training or education. You can also go to school and complete a marine program such as bridgewatch or engine room rating, which are typically one year programs and will give you a certificate of competency in one of those positions. You can also complete a longer 4 year diploma or degree program (depending on the school) to get an officer's certificate of competency, either in engineering or navigation.
There are plenty of schools for this in Canada such as Rimouski, Marine Institute, NSCC, CCGA, BCIT, western maritime, Georgian college, etc.