Entry-level seafarer jobs: OS, wiper, messman, cadet
126 live vacancies in this section, salaries from $1,350 per month (median; range $350 – $3,100). Shipowners and crewing agencies, updated daily.
Section in numbers
- Open vacancies
- 126
- Wage
- median $1,350 per month, range $350 – $3,100 (from 113 vacancies with a stated rate)
- Contract length
- median 6 months, values run from 1 to 9 (from 59 vacancies on this page that state a term)
- Vessel types
- Oil Tanker (23), Bulk Carrier (14), Container Ship (9) (from 60 vacancies on this page with a vessel stated)
Counted from catalogue postings at the moment this page was opened. Final terms are set by the employer.
Ranks to start with
How to start at sea
- Choose the route: a maritime academy and a cadetship lead to the officer of the watch certificate; a basic course and a rating job lead to the watch rating and able seafarer certificates. How to become a seafarer
- Get the first documents: a medical certificate, basic safety training, a seafarer’s book and an identity document. STCW certificates list
- See where each first job leads and how much sea service the next step takes. Seafarer career path
- Prepare a CV with your documents and their expiry dates, then apply to the vacancies above. Seafarer CV
Seafarers should not pay for job placement: under the MLC 2006 every seafarer must have access to a system for finding employment on board ship without charge to the seafarer (Regulation 1.4).
Frequently asked questions
How much do vacancies for entry-level seafarers pay?
The median offer in the catalogue is $1,350 per month, the range runs from $350 to $3,100. Calculated from 113 vacancies with a stated rate; amounts are converted to US dollars per month.
How long is the contract for entry-level seafarers?
The median is 6 months, values run from 1 to 9. Counted from 59 vacancies on this page that state a term. Extension and rotation are agreed by each company separately.
What vessel types are hiring for entry-level seafarers?
Most often Oil Tanker (23), Bulk Carrier (14), Container Ship (9); the number in brackets is the vacancy count. Counted from 60 vacancies on this page with a vessel stated.
Can I get a job on a ship without experience?
Yes, in entry-level ranks: ordinary seaman, wiper, messman, galley hand, steward, cleaner, assistant cook and deck, engine or ETO cadet. Before the first contract you still need a medical certificate (MLC 2006, Regulation 1.2) and training for personal safety on board (MLC 2006, Regulation 1.3). Seafarers with safety or pollution-prevention duties need basic safety training (STCW regulation VI/1), and on ships covered by the ISPS Code every seafarer needs security-awareness training (STCW regulation VI/6). In practice employers ask every crew member for basic safety training.
What is the minimum age to work at sea?
16 years (MLC 2006, Standard A1.1). Seafarers under 18 may not work at night, with exceptions for training programmes, may not do work likely to jeopardise their health or safety, and may not work as a ship’s cook (Standards A1.1 and A3.2). An officer of the watch certificate is issued from 18 (STCW regulations II/1 and III/1).
Do I have to pay to get a job at sea?
No. Under the MLC 2006 recruitment and placement services may not charge seafarers for finding them employment; a seafarer pays only for his or her own medical certificate, seafarer’s book and passport, and visa costs are borne by the shipowner (Standard A1.4, paragraph 5(b)). Rynda Crewing does not charge seafarers for finding a job.
Which first job leads to an officer career?
Deck and engine cadets train on board with a training record book towards the officer of the watch certificate (STCW regulations II/1 and III/1). Ratings can qualify as watch rating and then as able seafarer (STCW regulations II/4, II/5, III/4 and III/5).
First-contract documents by rank
What the reference requires from each rank: qualification documents, endorsements, training certificates.