Seafarer Happiness, Health & Practical Tips

What Do Modern Ships Use to Navigate?

In this post we thought we’d take a look at some of the different ways that crews on vessels today navigate so that they, and their cargo (and passengers, if any) can safely and accurately reach their port of destination.

Everything You Need to Know About Ship's Master Jobs

The Master is the highest seafarer rank and the most prestigious of all of the seafarer jobs. A Master has ultimate responsibility for everything that happens on his or her vessel, including the security of the ship, and the safety of the crew and cargo, and any passengers, both in port and at sea.

Everything You Need to Know About Fishing Vessels

We all know a fishing vessel is a boat used to catch fish, whether that’s on the sea, a lake or a river. It goes without saying that fishing boats vary in size and complexity, but what you might not know is that they can be broken down into a number of main categories and then subcategories.

Everything You Need to Know About Coaster Vessels

Ever wondered what a coaster vessel is? This article is one in a series of posts about the merchant fleet and covers coastal sailing ships.

9 Maritime Themed Twitter Accounts to Follow

At Martide we like to share our seafarer jobs on Twitter and we also follow some interesting people whose posts we like retweeting. So we thought we’d share them with you in case you don’t already follow them and you’re looking for some new, fresh content for your Twitter feed!

5 More Tips for Surviving Christmas in Seafarer Jobs

Depending on your culture and beliefs if you celebrate Christmas it can be tough to be away from your family, friends and other loved ones. And how you go about dealing with the season when you’re thousands of miles away from home is completely up to you: embrace it or ignore it? It’s your call!

Everything You Need to Know About Lightships

A lightship, or lightvessel, is a ship fitted with a beacon on a mast that functions in the same way as a lighthouse: To act as a warning and to help other vessels safely navigate at night or in fog. Lightships are commonly used in waters that are too deep for a lighthouse to be constructed.

Everything You Need to Know About Dredgers

A dredger is a boat equipped with a tool that sucks, excavates or scrapes sediment like sand, silt, gravel, trash, rocks, debris and animal and plant matter from the sea bed or a river, estuary or canal. The materials moved are placed elsewhere or disposed of in an act known as dredging.

3 Issues When Traveling for Jobs at Sea (And How to Avoid Them)

A huge part of jobs at sea is traveling abroad. And that’s not just for people who work in actual jobs at sea - plenty of jobs in the shipping industry involve travel and whether you’re employed in the types of maritime jobs ashore or those that take you offshore, it’s good to stay out of trouble!

Martide's Top Seafarer Blog Posts of 2020

We thought we’d take a look at which of our seafarer blog posts were most popular in 2020. So from seafarer interview questions and answers to seaman quotes and from seafarer resume advice to guides to different types of seafarer jobs, let’s run down Martide’s very own end of year top ten list.

Day of the Seafarer 2020

25th June 2020 marks the 10th anniversary of IMO’s annual Day of the Seafarer. In recognition of these demanding times the worries that the maritime industry is facing, and of course, in particular the challenges that seafarers are dealing with, the theme this year is Seafarers are Key Workers.

How to Stay Safe Online in Jobs at Sea

When even some of the biggest and best known companies in the world have fallen victim to cyber attacks from hackers, it pretty much means that none of us are safe - and that's both on a business and a personal level. If you're working in jobs at sea, here's how to stay safe online.

Everything You Need to Know About Ship's Cook Jobs

Are you interested in learning about seafarer jobs? Do you wonder what it’d be like to be a ship’s cook? If you’re interested in all things culinary, love spending time in the kitchen and think you could transfer your skills to a vessel’s kitchen (or galley to give it its correct name) keep reading!

How to Deal with Lost Luggage & Documents in Jobs at Sea

Losing your documents on the way to jobs at sea is a nightmare with a knock on effect on you, the vessel and crew. Meanwhile losing your luggage (or the airline losing your luggage) is a pain to deal with when you’ve got so many things to think about and do. Here’s what to do if it happens to you.

9 Things To Do Before Leaving Home for a Job at Sea

If you’re a seafarer with a joining date for a job at sea lined up in the future no doubt your mind is full of the things you need to do to prepare for embarkation. With that in mind Martide has compiled this handy list of 9 things every seafarer should do before they leave home to join their vessel

4 Wellness Tips for Officers of the Watch

Watchkeepers need to maintain lookout 24/7 365 but working on and off around the clock with broken sleep patterns can have an effect on wellbeing and life at sea. Here are 4 steps for Officers of the Watch to take to combat fatigue and find more balance.

Can Passengers Travel on Cargo Ships?

You think you've seen it all, from opulent cruise ships with 5-star superior suites and eco-retreats with activity programs removed from the mainstream tourists. However, have you ever thought about taking a journey in the "Container Class"?

Everything You Need to Know About Junior Engineer Jobs

In this blog post we’re going to take a look at a Junior Engineer’s duties and responsibilities, what you might be doing in a typical day onboard a vessel, who Junior Engineers report to, and what the skills, interests and attributes you will need to become a successful Marine Engineer are.

Everything You Need to Know About Mining Ships

In this post we’re going to be taking a look at one of the lesser known merchant ships: The mining vessel. So if you’ve ever sat down and Googled “what is a mining ship” or “what is a mining vessel” you’re in luck!

What Are the Different Types of Alarms on Ships?

Coupled with fickle weather, treacherous seas, and a dose of manmade error, life at sea can be challenging and risky. But that's where your ship's emergency signals and alarms can help. They can assist the crew in responding appropriately to a crisis or preventing an issue.

10 Valentine's Day Ideas for Seafarers & Their Partners

We look at some ways you can connect with your SO on Valentine's Day even if you’re working on a cargo ship, tanker, cruise ship or other vessel.

How To Stay Motivated & Stress-Free at Sea

Leading the life of a seafarer can be full of adventure, but even the most strong-willed can feel the stress. The vessel's rigorous schedule, which leaves little time for anything other than work could be to blame.

How to Deal with Stress When Working in Seafarer Jobs

If you’re working in a seafarer job you don’t need us to tell you life onboard can sometimes be stressful. But it’s how you deal with stress that can mean the difference between a successful career at sea and one that makes you wonder why you went to the trouble of going through maritime training.

Who is Supporting Women Seafarers in Jobs at Sea?

Why does the maritime industry have a skills shortage? The increasing need for seafarers with tech skills? A general disinterest in seafaring as a job? The lack of women entering the sector? The reasons are debatable but it’s clear the ratio of men to women in maritime is seriously disproportionate.

What Happens in a Seafarer Medical Examination?

The examination concentrates on a person’s health before they accept a job role. At the same time, fit-for-work testing emphasizes the person’s functional capabilities in relation to the demands and dangers of a particular profession.

Two-Way Communication Tips for Seafarers & Their Families

Good communication is vital when working in jobs at sea but when you’re busy, tired or ‘not in the mood’ maintaining quality communication can be tough. That’s why we’re taking a look at ways those working in seafarer jobs can make sure they’re communicating well with folk back home. And vice versa!

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Life Jackets

According to the dictionary, a life jacket is a life preserver in the form of a buoyant jacket. This sleeveless inflatable jacket is also known as a personal flotation device and it aims to prevent drowning by keeping the wearer afloat when water-related accidents occur.

What is RoRo Cargo?

The cargo on RoRo ships is literally rolled or driven inside using a wide stern ramp or bow - unlike other ships that use cranes to lift the cargo on or off the vessel. Also, RoRo ships carry both vehicles and freight cargo, though some are also used as passenger ferries.

Everything You Need to Know About Bulk Carriers

A bulk carrier, bulker, or bulk freighter is a type of merchant ship that transports dry goods in bulk that are not packed into containers, drums or other packaging. We’re talking about cargo such as grain, cement, coal, ore and even sugar.

How Does an Icebreaker Ship Work?

The icebreaker ship does precisely what it sounds: it breaks ice. Ice breakers make navigation through the ice-covered waterways, particularly in the Polar Regions, doable, as the ship cuts through even the thickest ice and opens up some of the most hostile global paths.

Everything You Need to Know About Ferries

Ferries are mainly known as a type of boat that transports passengers from one place to another, and, usually, back again. They have more in common with a bus or train than a cruise ship as their main purpose is to provide passengers with transportation for a reason rather than for leisure.

Everything You Need to Know About Supramax Vessels

Aside from container ships, one of the most commonly spotted vessels at sea is the bulk carrier. Unlike container ships which transport goods in - you guessed it - shipping containers, bulk carriers carry loose cargo in huge (bulk) quantities. A Supramax vessel is a type of bulk carrier.

How to Store Your Seafarer Resume & Documents Online

Losing (or forgetting) your seafarer documents when you're traveling for jobs at sea can be a nightmare. Printing endless copies of your seafarer resume is a hassle. That's why storing them online in the Cloud makes perfect sense. Here's how to do that.

Everything You Need to Know About Cruise Ships

A cruise ship is a passenger ship that sails to a number of different destinations. The pleasure of the voyage being the point. Cruise ships are synonymous with being luxury vessels & their amenities, activities, dining options & entertainment are all created with the passenger experience in mind

Everything You Need to Know About Icebreaker Ships

As the name suggests, an icebreaker ship is a vessel that has been designed to...break ice. Specifically so that other vessels have a clear path through icy and frozen waters. This enables trade to keep moving and stops the global supply chain grinding to a halt.

Everything You Need to Know About Fireboats

The water-based or offshore cousin to a fire engine or fire truck, the fireboat is a vessel that has onboard equipment, such as nozzles, hoses and pumps, that are used to fight and extinguish fires both on other ships, as well as along the coastline, on docks and in ports and warehouses.

How to Communicate Better When Working in Seafarer Jobs

Being able to communicate is a vital part of being successful in most walks of life and that’s very true for working in seafarer jobs. The thing is you will need to communicate with people from different cultures who have different mother tongues. Here’s how to break down the communication barriers.

15 Essential Websites if You Work in a Seafarer Job

If you work in a seafarer job you use the internet to look for jobs at sea, for finding seafarer training and new employers and manning agents who can help you find a new contract. And for all the other things to do with your maritime career! So here are 15 of the best websites for seafarers.

Everything You Need to Know About Gas Carrier Ships

A gas carrier ship, also known as a gas tanker, LPG/LNG tanker or LPG/LNG carrier is a vessel that has been designed specifically for the purpose of carrying bulk quantities of liquefied petroleum gasses (LPG) or liquefied natural gasses (LNG) from one destination to another.

What is a Stowaway on a Ship?

Ever since ships began trading internationally there have been people seeking a better life for themselves, or fleeing war or persecution - but who don’t have the financial means. But recently the problem is increasing as more people are willing to take the very real risks involved in stowing away.

Everything You Need to Know About RoRo Ships

Do you want to know what a RoRo ship is? If so, you’ve come to the right place. RoRo stands for roll-on / roll-off which means it’s a vessel that has been designed to carry wheeled cargo: Think cars, vans, trailers, busses and trucks. Anything that can be ‘rolled on and then rolled off’ the ship.

Everything You Need to Know About Crane Vessels

As you have probably guessed from its name, a crane vessel - also known as a floating crane, crane ship or heavy lift vessel - is an ocean-going vessel which has one or more cranes mounted on to it. These gigantic ships are incredibly powerful and can handle extremely heavy loads.

Everything You Need to Know About Heavy Lift Vessels

A heavy lift vessel (HLV) is a huge freight ship designed to carry cargo that goes above and beyond the size and weight of the kind of items usually found on a container ship. Think: Dredging equipment, floating dry docks and plants, drilling rigs, offshore structures and even other vessels.

Everything You Need to Know About Oil Tankers

A tanker is a ship that transports liquid cargo in bulk. It doesn’t use containers or barrels but stores the liquid in a hold. The majority of tankers carry oil, hence the name, however some tankers also move edible oils and other liquified food stuffs such as treacle/molasses and drinks like wine.

Everything You Need to Know About Cargo & Container Ships

Ever wondered what the difference between a cargo and a container ship is? Ever wanted to know exactly what a cargo ship is and whether or not there are different types of cargo and container ships? You’ve come to the right place! Join us as we take a deep dive.

12 Things To Know Before Choosing a Career in Seafarer Jobs

As with any job or career, there are pros and cons, good things and bad things, people that are suited for that type of work, and those who are not - and seafarer jobs are no different. In fact, working at sea is probably an even more extreme case when it comes to the ups and downs of working life.

Everything You Need to Know About Feeder Vessels

A feeder vessel is a medium size container ship. Its job is to collect shipping containers from a port and transport them to transhipment hubs or central container terminals so they can be loaded onto larger vessels to complete their journey or onto other vehicles so they can be transported inland.

5 Questions to Ask if Considering a Career in Seafarer Jobs

As well as making sure you have the right talents and skills to work in the seafarer jobs you think will most interest you and you will be suited to there are some personality traits you also need to consider and some questions you need to ask yourself when thinking about working in cargo ship jobs.

7 Tips for Getting Over Jet Lag in Seafarer Jobs

Seafarer jobs often require flying across time zones to get to your vessel. And chances are you’re going to be jet lagged when you arrive. The issue is you’ve arrived somewhere to start work in a high pressure environment where safety is paramount so here’s what to do to limit the effect of jet lag.

Relationship Tips for When One of You Works in Jobs at Sea

Whether you’re the stay at home partner or the ocean-going half of a couple ensuring you both feel emotionally supported when one of you is away a lot is crucial. Of course this can be easier said than done when one of you is not just 1000’s of miles from home, but also 1000’s of miles from land!

7 Tips for Better Mental Health for Seafarers

Modern life is stressful but maritime jobs and life on a container ship come with their own challenges. It can be hard for seafarers to get used to life at sea, to switch off and spend time away from home. So how can crew stay mentally healthy?

What is a Seafarer's Job?

What is a seafarer’s job? It’s a question that gets asked a lot but the truth is, there’s no typical job at sea. There’re so many different examples of maritime jobs that you could spend days researching them. And if you’re thinking about a career in seafarer jobs that’s exactly what you need to do.

How Seafarers Can Take Pride in Jobs at Sea

It’s no secret that maritime jobs are demanding. They’re hard work and can be tough both on body and mind. But those working in seafarer jobs have numerous reasons to take pride in the career path they chose. And it is this sense of pride that can help you through days that feel tougher than usual.

What Are Some Different Types of Merchant Navy Ships?

There are numerous types of boats and ships plying their trade across the world’s oceans, from small pleasure craft to fishing boats and from superyachts to warships. Here at Martide, we’re interested in the types of ships you’ll find in the merchant navy.

Everything You Need to Know About Car Carrier Ships

A car carrier or car carrier ship is a vessel that’s been designed for the transportation of either just cars, or a combination of cars, trucks, buses and other wheeled vehicles. Car carriers are a type of RoRo ships - which means Roll-On, Roll-Off, as this is how their cargo is loaded and unloaded.

Your Guide to Uniforms in the Merchant Navy

When you're in the maritime industry, a sense of purpose, identity, and pride grows because you wear a uniform that is steeped in tradition.

What are Aids to Navigation in Maritime?

What are Aids to Navigation (ATONs) in the maritime industry - and why should seafarers always be mindful of them? Let’s find out!

5 Ways to Improve Life Onboard by Being a Better Crewmate

Have you ever noticed some people prefer to rant and rage whatever the situation? You’ve probably been on board with seafarers like that. But being nice improves life on a cargo ship. It’s a strength to be kind, not a weakness and it’ll make you the seafarer everyone wants to work with - and hire!

10 Ways to Chill During Your Downtime in Seafarer Jobs

We know when you’re working in seafarer jobs you’re busy around the clock but for those moments when you do get some personal time in between watches or shifts, even though you’re miles away from land, there are still plenty of things you can do to chill out and keep yourself entertained.

Martide's Most Popular Seafarer Blog Posts of 2021

e’re not going to focus on the bad points of the past twelve months, but instead We’re going to look back and see which of the many (52 if you’re wondering!) Seafarer Blog posts we wrote over the last year were the most popular. Here's our top ten countdown.

How to Get a Good Night's Sleep When You Work a Seafarer Job

It’s not exactly a secret that getting a good night’s sleep is essential for living a happier and healthier life - and while many on land can suffer with sleep disorders such as insomnia, how do you cope if you struggle to get quality sleep while working in a seafarer’s job?

How to Cope with Working Away from Home in Jobs at Sea

Often those working in seafarer jobs find they spend more time at sea than at home. This means as well as missing your family and friends, you also have to deal with practical issues from afar or in a short space of time when you’re ashore. So how can you cope with working away from home?

What is the Line Crossing Ceremony for Seafarers?

The maritime industry isn’t without its fair share of superstitions. One such sailor superstition has stood the test of time—the “true” beginning of your seaman career is marked by an age-old ceremony, Crossing the Line.

The Day of the Seafarer 2019

This year’s World Maritime Day theme is Empowering Women in the Maritime Community and so at Martide we thought it was only right to draw some attention to all of you women who are making their mark in this male dominated industry.

Why Do Ships Use Port & Starboard?

Why do ships use port & starboard instead of left & right? How do you remember which is port & which is starboard? Our blog post has the answers!

13 YouTube Channels about Seafarer Jobs to Check Out

Whether you’re already working in a seafarer job, are thinking about pursuing a career in the maritime industry or you just have a fascination with all things merchant navy, it’s always interesting to see life onboard a container or cargo ship. Check out these 13 seafarer YouTube channels.

Martide's Most Popular Seafarer Blog Posts of 2022

At the end of the year we like to take a nostalgic look backwards and see what the most read blog posts on our seafarer blog were. The main reason we like to do this is because it helps us to see what topics you’re interested in as a reader so that we can deliver similar blog posts in the future.

What are Places of Refuge for Ships in Distress?

The primary priority when a ship is involved in an accident or cannot continue its voyage is to remove the vessel, crew, and cargo from harm's way while avoiding further damage to the environment. But where would they go? Who should help them?

What is Maritime English?

In an industry that is truly global and both shore-based employees and those working in seafarer jobs may speak any number of different languages, how can we ensure that messages and instructions are relayed in a concise and understandable manner?

November 5th is World Tsunami Awareness Day

Each year, November 5th is World Tsunami Awareness Day. With that being two days from now, we thought it would be a timely opportunity to look at the origins of this day, find out more about tsunamis, and see what you can do to observe this day.

Everything You Need to Know About Chemical Tankers

A chemical tanker is a type of cargo ship that has been specifically constructed, or adapted, to carry liquid chemicals in bulk. They are the main form of transport when it comes to moving the commodities that provide the world with its energy requirements from point A to point B.

Your Guide to Types of Boats, Yachts, Ships & Vessels

It’ll come as no surprise that there’s a whole host of different boats, ships, vessels, and other watercraft out there. From the smallest canoe to traditional sailing clippers and from cargo ships to icebreakers and fishing boats, there’s no end of topics to explore. Which is what we’re going to do!

Day of the Seafarer 2021

Just in case you somehow missed it, June the 25th is the Day of the Seafarer as organized by the IMO. The campaign is now in its eleventh year and as you also most likely know, each year the campaign has had a different theme, with this year’s theme being a “Fair Future for Seafarers”.

What is the Definition of Maritime?

Have you ever wondered what does maritime mean? And what is the difference between marine and maritime - if any? At Martide we love anything to do with the ocean, vessels, and the maritime industry - and as anyone who reads our seafarer blog or our employer blog knows, we quite like words too!

How to Cope When Your Partner Works Away From Home

If you’re a stay at home partner in a relationship where one of you is working away from home you don’t need us to tell you it can be hard. Some days you're fine yet other times you struggle to cope while your partner is living life on a cargo ship thousands of miles away. Here's how to handle it.

Why Are Ships Referred to as 'She'?

In the past sailors would spend a lot of time at sea and would develop strong attachment to their ships. As a result, it was typical for them to refer to their ship with affection. Seafarers were said to be "married to the sea" and frequently named their ships after the women they cherished.

6 Ways to De-Stress When You Get Home from a Seafarer Job

A seafarer’s job is intense. You deal with a pressured environment with shifts and watches and you’re often cold and wet. You want your downtime to be the opposite. But how do you get to that happy place after months of working away in jobs at sea? We look at ways to de-stress when you get home.

5 Practical Tips for Relationships if You Work in Jobs at Sea

If you’re in a relationship and one of you is away for months at a time working in jobs at sea it can be hard on both of you, and for a variety of reasons. Martide looks at some practical ways that people who work in seafarer jobs - and their partners - can keep their relationship happy and healthy.

5 Ways to Beat Homesickness While You're Away at Sea

Working in seafarer jobs comes with many pluses. The travel, seeing nature at its most awe-inspiring, and the friendships created when working in jobs at sea. But like any job, whether on land or sea, there can be the odd downside. And one of those, as some seafarers will tell you, is homesickness.

How to Use Social Media Wisely When You Work in Jobs at Sea

Social media is a powerful tool and for many people checking their news feeds, shares and likes is a daily routine. But for seafarers working in jobs at sea and spending months away from home, social media can be a real lifeline. But it must be used wisely.

Jobs at Sea and How to Deal with a Negative Crewmate

Jobs at sea are demanding. They take a certain person to cope with the physical aspect of the work. But being mentally strong as well as physically fit is crucial. So what do you do when someone on board’s behavior is sucking all the enjoyment and positivity out of your life on a container ship?

8 Tips for Dealing with Sea Sickness

If you get seasick you may hide it from fellow crew. But there’s no shame in admitting you struggle with this aspect of jobs at sea. Nelson was a sufferer and Charles Darwin spent as much time as possible during his five year voyage on the Beagle on land! Read Martide’s tips for beating seasickness.

How to Make the Most of Shore Leave

Life on a container ship means perks of the job for seafarers - ones that people working in shore-based positions can only dream of. And one of those perks is the opportunity to visit new countries on shore leave. But how can you make the most of that often all too short, time on land?

6 Ways to Create a Community in Seafarer Jobs

As a seafarer a huge part of ensuring time onboard isn’t damaging your mental health is making the most of the camaraderie that comes with spending so much time with a small group of people. Having time alone to catch up with loved ones via social media is crucial, but so too is community spirit.

5 Tips for Celebrating Christmas When You Work in Seafarer Jobs

As a seafarer you know life on a cargo ship means being away from home for months at a time. It’s part of the job and a fact of life. Whether you’re 110% okay with it or you accept it as a necessary part of your career it can feel a little overwhelming at certain times of the year. Such as Christmas

8 Things You Should Never Do in Jobs at Sea

Working in seafarer jobs can be challenging, both physically and mentally, even just on a regular basis. So it makes sense to try and keep the obstacles you need to deal with to a minimum while you’re working in jobs at sea. And that means avoiding certain things which could get you into trouble.

What Are Entry Level Cargo Ship Jobs?

Entry level cargo ship jobs are roles in the maritime industry undertaken by trainee seafarers and cadets. Seafaring isn’t a career in which you jump in at any level; you need to start at the bottom and work your way up. Our blog post explores different seafarer jobs and how to start a career at sea

Seafarer Jobs & the Importance of Being Kind

It can be tough dealing with someone onboard who has a negative attitude or who is downright unpleasant. But you don’t have to react. Keep your composure and spirits up, practice kindness and compassion and you’ll soon spread your positive vibes from the engine room to the bridge!

Life at Sea