Good Wages :
Wages earned by seafarers are normally very generous compared to similar professions ashore. Seagoing officers are assured a very comfortable standard of living, and are usually within the upper income bracket of their national populations. Opportunities for accumulating savings, even when young, are considerable (unlike most people, officers have relatively few expenses when working at sea as accommodation, travel and food are met by the employer). The real value of wages may often be substantially greater because they are often tax free. Officers at sea can be promoted rapidly, eventually progressing to Captain or Chief Engineer, with wages matching their responsibilities.

Early Responsibility :
Ships' officers enjoy considerable responsibility right from the start of their careers. They ensure the safety of their ships and their cargoes, the lives of their shipmates and the protection of the marine environment. As a deck officer at sea you will be responsible for the safe navigation of a seagoing vessel, its passengers and crew. Alternatively you might be responsible for mooring or cargo handling, leading a team of seafarers using your knowledge and experience to ensure safe and successful operations. Within 10 years of commencing specialist maritime education and training, it is possible to qualify as a Captain or Chief Engineer with total responsibility for the operation of a ship and the management and safety of its crew.

Opportunities to Travel :
Although modern ships spend less time in port than 25 years ago, a career in shipping still means that you can literally travel to almost anywhere in the world. This gives seafarers the chance to experience interesting and unusual places, rather than just the typical business or holiday destinations visited by many people. Since shipping is such a unique international industry, it is common for seafarers to progress eventually to shore based work in shipping offices all around the world - from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, to Singapore or London, the opportunities are endless. By embarking on a career in shipping you are joining a special international network of contacts and associates.

Good Long Term Prospects :
There is a great need for more qualified ships' officers to meet the skills required by international shipping companies. Industry predictions suggest that this requirement will increase in the next few years, especially if the world economy (and population) continues to expand, and thus the quantity of goods moved by sea continues to increase. Many senior personnel are shortly due to retire so there are excellent prospects for fast advancement by new entrants to the maritime profession.Career opportunities extend to thousands of shore-based management jobs, which require people with seagoing experience. A career at sea may not mean a lifetime at sea.