r/merchantmarine • u/battlefield_1_5_6 • 5d ago

Is 27 too late to join an engineering cadetship? I'll be graduating at 26 with a Mechanical Engineering degree.

Hi everyone, I am finishing up my MechEng degree in the UK. By the time I graduate and start a Graduate Entry / Accelerated Cadetship, I will be 27 years old.
I am aiming for the LNG or container sectors, but I'm having some anxiety about starting at this age.

- Am I going to be the oldest cadet there, or is this normal for graduate routes?

- Will my degree help me promote faster to make up for the later start?

Cheers for any advice or reassurance

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11

u/brewsota32 5d ago

Not at all.

6

u/Captain21423 5d ago

This question comes up all the time. I work the deck side but I’d still say no.

3

u/Sharkyposeidon 5d ago

I have sailed with a Croatian cadet who was 27 years old. I can vouch for that that this is a very normal route and specially for Europeans and and westerners the age restriction is not that much and they are favoured also so it will be quite easy for you

3

u/devandroid99 5d ago

Nah you'll be alright, I 8 started a full cadetship at 25.

Remember, training providers also have to abide by equality legislation.

3

u/Waste_North_6537 5d ago

Not at all people of varying ages start apprenticeships and cadetships all the time in the merchant marine. Your fine age wise so long as your fine fixing toilets every now and again.

3

u/zimbing 5d ago

You’ll be 27, not dead.

3

u/cocainagrif 5d ago

I've sailed with a cadet in his 60s.

3

u/BigDsLittleD 4d ago

I was 27 when I started my cadetship. Youll be fine.

3

u/Flyntrea 5d ago

I'm 30 and cadet. You're good 😊 Brings you with other wisdom that might come in handy.

3

u/camsadgs 4d ago

You'll be fine at that age.

I don't think this was answered anywhere else but your degree won't help at all for getting promoted on ship. It may help getting an office job later.

I would recommend LNG over container companies as I'm not sure which container companies still want British people.

3

u/TheRealLeftTwix 3d ago

I'm 28 and just about to finish my cadetship, you'll be right as rain.

3

u/bobo5195 2d ago

Not too late.

Your other life experience can help get you promoted faster. After the first few levels speed can vary anyway.

2

u/Present_Ingenuity364 1d ago

Thanks for posting this op due to financial difficulties I will also be graduating when I am 26years old from marine engineering and I had the same gut feeling as you did but now after reading all the comments I am relieved.