5 Questions to Ask if Considering Seafarer Jobs

A career as a seafarer offers a diverse range of opportunities, making it a potentially rewarding path for people with a wide range of skills, abilities, and interests. However, with so many different types of jobs at sea, as well as the different types of vessels, it's important to carefully consider whether this career is the right fit for you.

Answering the question, “What does a seafarer do?” is like trying to find the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. There are so many different roles available to those who are interested in a job working at sea, making it even more important to carry out extensive research to make sure that a career as a seafarer is right for you.

The first step is identifying the different types of seafarer jobs that are available, making sure that there is something that matches your skills, qualifications and abilities. As a great starting point, check out our blog post – Your Guide to Different Types of Seafarer Jobs – where you will find plenty of ideas and inspiration in terms of the options available to you.

Before diving into a maritime academy or accumulating sea time, take some time to reflect on your personality, capabilities, and expectations. Honest self-assessment is key to a fulfilling career at sea.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Pursuing Seafarer Jobs

Once you have identified the roles that you might be interested in, it’s also important to get a better understanding of whether a life (and career) at sea is right for you. Most job at sea require a certain level of training and education and it’s important not to waste your time carrying out this training if there are certain aspect of working at sea that aren’t suited to you.

Here are five key questions, along with some additional follow-ups, that will help you to determine whether a career as a seafarer is right for you:

a man working in a maritime job standing on a dock and looking at a ship

1. Can I handle extended periods away from family and friends?

Working at sea, whether on a container ship, cargo ship, tanker, or cruise ship, inevitably involves spending months away from home.

Consider:

Have you experienced homesickness before?

How reliant are you on your support network?

Can you maintain relationships from a distance?

Factor	Impact on Seafaring Career
Time Away From Home	Extended contracts mean limited in-person contact with loved ones.
Communication	Rely on technology to stay connected; internet access may be limited or expensive.
Special Occasions	May miss birthdays, holidays, and other important events.

2. How do I cope with loneliness or boredom?

Life at sea involves periods of solitude. It's essential to be comfortable in your own company and have healthy coping mechanisms for loneliness and boredom.

Consider:

Are you good at spending time alone?

Do you have hobbies you can pursue independently?

How do you typically deal with downtime?

Whilst you are surrounded by your crew mates in a relatively confined space, there is still a lot of downtime on your own so it’s important to understand how you cope with spending long periods on your own.

a man working in a maritime job using his laptop in his cabin

3. Am I tolerant and respectful of people with different backgrounds?

A vessel's crew is typically composed of seafarers from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Tolerance, open-mindedness, and respect are crucial for maintaining a harmonious onboard environment.

Consider:

How do you react to differing opinions and beliefs?

Are you comfortable interacting with people from different cultures?

Are you willing to learn about and respect different customs?

Thriving as a seafarer means learning to get along in a tight-knit team made up of people from lots of different backgrounds. If you’re not generally an open minded and tolerant person, cargo ship jobs are probably not for you.

4. Am I physically fit and prepared to face challenging conditions?

Many jobs at sea involve physically demanding tasks and exposure to various weather conditions, sometimes extreme.

Consider:

Are you in good physical condition?

Are you comfortable working outdoors in various climates?

Can you handle the physical demands of the job?

As any seafarer will tell you, the sea is unpredictable and can be extremely challenging at times. You need to be both physically and mentally fit enough to deal with the challenges that are thrown at you whilst at sea, especially when things get tough.

5. Am I mentally resilient and truly committed to this career path?

Mental fortitude is essential for overcoming the challenges of life at sea, including separation from loved ones, isolation, and demanding work conditions.

Consider:

Are you prepared to adapt to a unique and challenging lifestyle?

Do you have a strong sense of purpose and motivation?

Are you truly passionate about a career as a seafarer?

If you answered these questions honestly and feel confident in your ability to adapt and thrive in a maritime environment, then a career as a seafarer might be the perfect fit for you.

Ready to Explore Seafarer Jobs?

If you're a qualified seafarer seeking your next contract, explore our current job openings.

Martide offers a range of seafarer jobs, from entry-level positions to experienced roles.

Download our free mobile app for seafarers: Available on Google Play and the App Store, our app provides the quickest and easiest way to view job vacancies and apply for positions.

Stay connected with Martide on social media for the latest maritime industry news, job hunting tips, and engaging content. Find us on Facebook, Pinterest, X and LinkedIn.

Additional Resources for Aspiring Seafarers

Industry Associations: Connect with maritime industry associations for networking and career resources.

Maritime Academies: Research maritime academies and training programs to acquire the necessary skills and certifications.

Online Forums: Engage with experienced seafarers in online forums to gain insights and advice.

By carefully considering these questions and exploring available resources, you can make an informed decision about whether a career as a seafarer is the right path for you.

This blog post was originally published on August 27th 2020 and updated on June 10th 2025

Are Seafarer Jobs Right for You? 5 Key Questions to Consider in 2025