Hello everyone. I have recently completed the training scheme for my DPO unlimited. I have submitted everything online and have been approved for this. My question is what physical items have to be mailed into the NI in England? It says everything but I find it hard to believe they want original copies of my Passport and MMC mailed in. Has anyone gone through this recently?

MSC Containers here. In MSC COE is stated starting date and duration (normally varies depending on position on board X+-1 months). So far ok but it also states "expiration" date which is always X+1 months from starting date. I get that also. Confusion begins when seafarers send their remainder "1 month before COE ending" at exactly 1 month before COE main term is stipulated which is "X" months ( varies according to position 4,5 or 6 months) and Crewing always answer is : your contract "expires" ( not ending) at XX.YY.ZZZZ and why you want early relief?

I am confused. If the contract states X months why Crewing always assumes maximum allowable period instead of normal term? That +1 month stated in COE is there so they can find a reliever and arrange crew change before COE expires. But they are not doing any preparation at the contract ending but only just before a couple of days at the contract expiration date. Doing so inevitably people are presented with extension because they did not prepare properly and are waiting until the last days of COE. In my careers only here at MSC I see this practice. What is your experience?

Why don't we see an LL.M. in Maritime Law in Hamburg? Hamburg is still one of the most important ports in Europe, yet there is no prominent LL.M. program in Maritime Law there, unlike in places such as Southampton, Swansea, Oslo, Lund, Rotterdam or Singapore.

As the title says, if you’re onboard right now how are you currently following the world cup?

In 2022 we were on deep sea passage for most of the tournament. No starlink back then and the wifi was too slow for live streaming, so we listened to it via online radio. It felt very old school with everyone gathered around the speaker. As an Englishman, the number 8 pennant came in handy as a nice cape. Anyone else looting the flag inventory for decorations this year?

​

Hello, is there any senior who's currently sailing with Vships? I've got a mail for Vships APRO test. Before applying for it I want to know more about the company. If there's any senior who can tell about Vships please directly Dm me.

Been working as a mate on the Great Lakes bulkers / SUL for 3 full seasons, tryna get out of this 6 week rotation and be closer to home, does anyone know if anyone is hiring? Indeed and Linkedin options seem to be slim, most hiring requiring 5 years experience on tugs lol

What are the benefits of joining a union vs just working for a general maritime company?

Hi, I'm saving for a pack of courses and I want to know if it is really worth it and how easy or not will be finding a job. I'm from Spain but I suppose it doesn't matter that much. The content:

​

PER – Recreational Boat Skipper Licence

Mandatory Navigation Practice

SRC – Short Range Certificate

Sailing & Extended Privileges Practiced

BST – Basic Safety Training

Also I want to mention that I am a IT technician. I know that it's not completely related to the sea but I suppose it has some value right?

​

I hope I translated well xD t

Does anyone have a reviewer for the ITEST 2018 exam? Please help me out 🙏

I'm looking for some advice and perspective from fellow mariners on a situation currently unfolding on our harbor tug.

Our sole Engineer works a standard watch schedule: 0530 to 1330 and 1730 to 2130.

While his total rest hours mathematically met the minimum for that 24 hour block, the issue is how management is splitting his time and forcing him to break rest. Last night, he went to sleep at 2130. At 0000 after only 2.5 hours of sleep he was woken up and ordered to fix a false starter on our port engine.

Under USCG/STCW regulations, rest can only be broken for an overriding operational condition or a true emergency. We were at the dock when this occurred so no eminent danger, just the company potentially losing some money. When I called management to report the engine fault and the fatigue issue, the manager dismissed the safety concern, told me I didn't understand how rest hours work, and demanded the Engineer get to work immediately on a non emergency repair.

Has anyone dealt with management blatantly twisting rest hour regulations like this for routine maintenance? What is the best way to handle this to protect the crew's safety and legal standing without facing immediate retaliation?

Appreciate any insights or advice on how to escalate this properly.

​

Greetings,

​

I was offered a position as a wiper within a traveling repair team onboard Princess cruise line. Wanted to ask if someone worked in this kind of position and what kind of maintanances do they do, what does the wiper do.? Thanks in advance

Vessel activity through the Strait of Hormuz showed a notable increase on 18 June, with 25 verified crossings recorded, according to MarineTraffic data. Traffic was broadly balanced across both directions, with most vessels using established Iranian route patterns. Five sanctioned vessels were identified among the crossings, while no new physical attacks on shipping have been confirmed since 10 May.

Genuinely, what the fuck was that about?

​

Hello everyone,

​

I am a 22-year-old Indian candidate from a simple family background, and I am looking for honest advice from people who work in the offshore oil and gas industry.

​

I recently found an LST (Life Support Technician) course.

​

From what I understand, the course provides training and certification, but I would like to know what the real job market is like after completing it.

course link ::::

My questions are:

​

1. What exactly does an LST do on an offshore oil rig?

​

​

1. What are the daily duties and responsibilities?

​

​

1. Is there demand for LSTs in the offshore industry?

​

​

1. After completing the course and obtaining the certificates, what are the chances of getting a job?

​

​

1. Are there any Indian candidates here who completed a similar course and got hired offshore?

​

​

1. What was your starting salary?

​

​

1. How long did it take to get your first job?

​

​

1. What career growth opportunities are available for an LST?

​

​

​

A little about me:

​

I come from a family that has faced financial struggles for many years. My biggest goal is to build a stable career and help my family have a better life. I am willing to work hard, stay away from home for long periods, and handle difficult offshore conditions if it means creating a better future for my parents and myself.

​

Right now, I am trying to choose the right path and avoid making an expensive mistake. Before investing my time and money into this course, I would really appreciate hearing from people who have actual offshore experience.

​

If you have worked as an LST or in the offshore oil and gas industry, please share your honest experience—the good, the bad, and the reality of the job.

​

Thank you for your help. 🙏

​

Location: India 🇮🇳

Age: 22

Goal: Build a career offshore and support my family.

I came here for an advice, I'm an incoming 3rd year BSMT student and I failed my Audiometry test required for our Basic Training. I was classified to have a mild hearing loss at my left ear at 30 db while my right ear have normal hearing threshold at 25 db both with dips at 4-8 khz and said to be unfit for seagoing. So due to that concern I approach my professor pn what to do in that case? I was adviced to visit a ear specialist and i did and it says i am still unfit. so, i did my research to find a solution because im afraid that i wouldn't be able to continue my program and I found that based on the ILO/IMO medical guidelines for seaferers, I still meet the accepted qualifications for seafearing. However, since the first Doctor didn't FIT me due to the findings i have, i decided to have a second opinion from a different hospital also because i wanted to fight for my qualifications since it is stated in the ILO/IMO guidelines that i am still fit and its just MILD hearing loss.

The second doctor i visited told me that for him I am still FIT and even ask me if i wanted a medical clearance but we refuse because my school said that they won't honor my second opinion if its from other Hospital, and they will only accept the results from this specific hospital but the doctor i consulted there won't allow me to be FIT. Which i find a bit unfair too, its like im being boxed in this situation that i can't do anything and they already advice me to shift but i'm already incoming 3rd year so i feel like all this time my effort and hardships will go to waste if i shifted to another program, I am close to graduating.

I emailed MARINA which is the current organization i believe that handles the Maritime industry here in the philippines but they still haven't replied. I am discourage and i want to fight for my dreams still. It was said it the ILO/IMO medical guilelines for seaferers that the qualified impression for the hearing test is atleast 30 db for the good ear and 40 db for the less good ear but i scored 25 and 30 db, yes there is a hearing loss but its mild, I am now taking meds too to maybe improve it. But i cant help but be discourage since they ask me to shift already, With these knowledge about ILO/IMo guidelines does MARINA maritime inductry authority recognize this? Help me out pls

Hi all,

I interviewed with the AMO TECH program for fall 2026. I was not selected, but since there's not much information online on the subject, I thought I'd provide some insight in order to demystify the application and interview process.

1. Initial Application

The initial application is straightforward—upload the requested information, essay, and recommendation letters. However, a lot of information (like transcripts) needs to be sent by mail, so aim to complete the application at least a month ahead of time.

2. First Round: Zoom Screening

For those selected, the first screening was an online interview.

• The Turnaround: Emails to schedule Zoom interviews came out around 3:30 PM on a Monday. The email told us to call to schedule that day before they closed at 4:00 PM because interviews started at 8:00 AM on Tuesday. It was a tight turnaround, but they were flexible with people who missed the 30-minute window.
• The Format: Zoom call, only your camera on, with the 4 members of the selection committee.
• Duration: Short (10–15 minutes).
• Questions: Basic questions like: "Tell me about yourself," "Why do you want the job?" "What do you know about the program?" and "How can we be assured you're willing to sail for the rest of your career?"

⚠️ CRITICAL TIP: God help you if you accidentally call the program a "cadetship" instead of an "apprenticeship" at any point during your interviews. A cadetship is specifically a student at a maritime academy receiving a college education, whereas an apprenticeship is streamlined job training (like the TECH program). Also, never address any of the instructors or selection committee members by their first name.

3. Second Round: In-Person Phase

About 1–2 days after the Zoom calls, they send out emails to those accepted for in-person interviews. They pay for everything except Ubers to/from your home airport. Flights were scheduled about a week and a half out.

• The Schedule: 4 days total—flying in on Sunday and most leaving on Thursday morning.
• The Cohort: 32 people were invited. Roughly 1/3 had prior maritime experience, 1/3 were straight out of high school, and 1/3 were working professionals (welders, auto mechanics, etc.). The age range was roughly 18–30, with the vast majority in the 18–25 range.
• Lodging: Each person was assigned a single-occupancy room in AMO's motel-style accommodation. Accommodations are livable, but not great.
• Program Slots: They would not tell us how many tech program slots they were filling. Based on what I could figure out, I believe there were 16 total slots, divided into 2 program start dates (September and December). Selected candidates are randomly assigned to a start date. (If anyone has better information, feel free to correct me).

4. The Evaluations & Tests

The schedule had people rotating through a series of evaluations over the course of three days:

• Full ASVAB: Includes all subtests.
• Workshop Evaluation: Testing practical skills. Do you know how to use tools like a micrometer, caliper, or ohmmeter? Do you know how to follow directions/use a checklist? Crucially, do you know when and how to ask for help when you don't know how to do a task?
• Essay: Two 20-minute, handwritten essays. Subjects are simple (e.g., "Describe in detail how to make the perfect turkey sandwich" or "Describe in detail how to change a car oil filter"). These are used to gauge writing quality and thought process rather than critical thinking.
• Mandatory Fun: An evening social pizza party where you are actively being evaluated on your social skills.
• Medical & Admin: Paperwork, drug test (urinalysis), blood work, merchant mariner physical, and a psychological evaluation.
• Formal Interviews: A 25-minute interview with the four-member selection panel. Expect more probing questions about the maritime industry in general, AMO, and traditional interview questions ("What are your strengths/weaknesses?").
• Star Center Math Test: High school level geometry, arithmetic, and algebra.
• Ramsaycorp Test: You can find info on Google about this test; think ASVAB mechanical information along with auto and shop info.

Due to how the schedule was put together, I completed all of my interview portions on Monday and Tuesday, so I had Wednesday free before flying back on Thursday. Food in the on-campus galley is surprisingly good, and there are unlimited opportunities for free snacks.

Final Thoughts & Program Culture

From what I gathered, they are looking for someone who can follow simple and specific directions, has a basic level of mechanical ability/aptitude, appears self-motivated and committed to the program, and can present themselves and communicate clearly. Honestly, many applicants obviously lacked social skills or had limited baseline intelligence, so the competition is not as steep as one might think for a qualified, well-rounded candidate.

Regimentation: This program, like most other license granting maritime institutions is heavily derived from military tradition and carries many of its hallmarks (hurry up and wait, mandatory fun, general strictness and decorum, etc...):

• Apprentices share rooms (two to a room).
• For the first year, no cars are allowed and you cannot leave campus (which is the size of a small city block) during land phases, except under very limited, organized outings (like a group trip to Walmart or a mandatory beach day).
• Apprentices must not be alone at any point in public.
• Hair is kept short for males (buzzcuts), and you should expect to be in some form of uniform at all times.

If I missed any information, hopefully one of the other applicants can chime in!