The prospect of spending months away at sea for work isn’t for everyone. Still, marine work is a calling that many people love. It may mean long months away from home, but there’s also the money saved for your family and the chance to enjoy it when the voyage is over. The question is where to start when looking for seafarer jobs that aren’t in the military. Some with a passion for hospitality and entertainment will lean toward cruise ship jobs and others may like the idea of being part of a fishing fleet.
Then there are the container ships sending cargo across the world. These container ships are a vital cog in the machine of world trade agreements. Therefore, they need plenty of professional workers to handle the ship, the cargo, and the general operations. Here’s a quick guide on the types of marine jobs on container ships.
Highly-Skilled Seafarer Jobs Taking Care Of The Ship
First up, there are all the different jobs on container ships taking care of the ship itself. This is a large and complex vessel that needs to be in prime condition throughout the voyage. This means a need for a range of skilled workers with the qualifications and experience to handle life at sea. In addition to electricians and welders, there are more specialist roles.
Deckhand
Deckhands will help keep the vessel ship-shape with maintenance and various jobs across the ship. This can vary from cleaning to painting.
Diver
Some maintenance jobs will arise below the timeline, which is where skilled divers can come in and help. They can also create underwater records of the condition of the ship.
Tankerman
These vessels need plenty of dangerous fuel to remain operational. Tankerman can get that fuel to the right location and maintain the different hoses.
Lower-level Seafarer Jobs Taking Care Of The Crew
It can be tough work carrying out all this essential maintenance and keeping the ship running. Someone needs to be on hand to make sure the crew has all it needs to stay well-fed and taken care of throughout the voyage. The last thing management needs is people going sick due to poor sleep, poor hygiene, or malnourishment.
Utility Steward
Someone has to take care of the housekeeping on board the ship to keep everyone happy. That means making sure the kitchen is stocked, everyone is fed on time, and someone cleans up after them.
Cook
The ship also needs a skilled cook to prep enough meals in the ship’s facilities for the whole crew. It’s a unique environment to cook in, but rewarding.
Vessel Manager
There also has to be someone on board who can oversee everything and make sure everyone’s in the right place. A reliable manager can deal with the activities rota and performance evaluations.
Important Seafarer Jobs Dealing With Cargo
The many maritime jobs available on a container ship cover more than just the hands-on maintenance of the ship. Those shipments are precious cargo that needs to travel from one location to another with no issues. That means making sure everything is accounted for and up to the ship’s standards at all times.
Material Handler
All the cargo needs to be labeled and approved when it arrives on the ship. This makes it easier to create an inventory, and to let the following staff do their jobs.
Forklift and Crane Operators
Once the goods are onboard the ship, they need to be moved into the right position. Crane operators can move containers into the appropriate area while forklift drivers transfer materials to the department.
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Quality control is an important part of dealing with the cargo on board a container ship. This coordinator can make sure that everything that makes it into a ship is handled with due care and attention. They also work on the efficiency of ship operations to protect the crew.
High-ranking Seafarer Jobs On Container Ships
Finally, we have all the higher-ranking roles on board one of these container ships. People who have been in the marine sector for years, working through the ranks, may find themselves in line for a job like this. It will take time and a lot of promotions along the way, but it’s possible. Alternatively, there are roles for those shifting career paths who have the right qualifications and transferable skills. These roles provide better pay, better perks, and potentially better job security.
Ship Superintendent
This is one of the most important supervisory positions on the ship. They can monitor the work of the crew members handling the cargo and find ways to improve efficiency. They should make the voyage and transfer of goods as smooth as possible.
Risk Analyst
This one is more specialist, but still crucial. This role ties in with the roles related to the cargo. But, the high wage bracket elevates it. These analysts ensure that the ship meets OSHA standards and that everyone receives the right training. This includes running emergency drills.
Captain
Last, but not least, there’s the captain. Captains can work their way through the ranks with the right experience and training. The role puts them in full command of the ship. They have the final say on the navigation and what happens on their vessel.
Finding Container Ship Jobs Online
This is just a taste of the different types of seafarer jobs you can enjoy on board a container ship. Each department has a range of potential vacancies to make sure all the cargo reaches its destination with ease.
If you are sure that a life at sea is what you want, and something here appeals to you, find out more about the roles. See what specific requirements different firms have for their employees and the details in the job descriptions. You can then work towards any certificates and qualifications you might need and start applying.
Life on board a container ship can be challenging compared to cruise ship jobs. Yet, it’s also highly rewarding from a financial, career, and social perspective. There isn’t much like it. So, get to know these roles better and see if this is the career move you’ve been waiting for.
Image: Unsplash, Ian Taylor
