Starting Out

Your first step
into maritime.

Deck or engine, STCW basics, sea time requirements — everything before your first contract.

§Choose Your Path

Deck or Engine cadetship?

Deck

🧭 Deck Cadet

  • Navigation, cargo and ship handling
  • Watchkeeping from first contract
  • Leads to 3rd Officer → Chief Officer → Master
  • STCW II/1 CoC required for first officer post
  • Typical cadet sea time: 12 months
Engine

⚙️ Engine Cadet

  • Propulsion, machinery and technical systems
  • Engine room watchkeeping and maintenance
  • Leads to 4th → 3rd → 2nd → Chief Engineer
  • STCW III/1 CoC required for watchkeeping post
  • Typical cadet sea time: 12 months
§Getting There

How to get your first sea contract

01

STCW Basic Safety Training

The universal entry requirement — survival, fire, first aid and personal safety. Typically a 5-day course at a maritime training college.

02

Enroll in a nautical programme

Some companies sponsor cadets directly; others require you to find a course then apply for sea time with a crewing agency.

03

Complete the required sea service

Document your sea time in a discharge book — usually 12 months before eligibility to sit the officer exam.

04

Pass the CoC examination

Your national maritime authority issues the Certificate of Competency — your officer licence — after passing the exam and assessment.

§Live Feed

Current sea jobs including entry-level

Motorman (Oiler) on General Cargo Ship
Motorman (Oiler)
General Cargo 2026-08-03 $2,400 View →
Motorman (Oiler) on Crude Oil Tanker
Motorman (Oiler)
Crude Oil Tanker 2026-08-03 $1,500 View →
Motorman (Oiler) on Passenger Cruise Ship
Motorman (Oiler)
Cruise ship 2026-08-03 $1,666 View →
E/Fitter on Container Ship
Fitter (Welder)
Container Vessel 2026-08-10 View →
D/Fitter on Container Ship
Fitter (Welder)
Container Vessel 2026-08-03 $2,000 View →
D/Fitter on General Cargo Ship
Fitter (Welder)
General Cargo 2026-08-03 $2,500 View →

Ready to find your first contract?

1,200+ verified vacancies updated daily — including entry-level and cadet positions.