Shore to sea: The transition from working onboard to a shoreside career
The decision to come ashore after a career at sea can be a challenge. This big change in career can take some time to adjust to, but for many feels like a natural progression.
At Viking Crew, many of our staff have a experience of working onboard various vessels, in varying roles. We caught up with them to discover more about their transition to move ashore and the challenges they faced.
Lien Eggermont: Starting a shoreside career, moving to a new country and using skills learned at sea, ashore
Lien, our Assistant Yacht Recruitment Manager, spent the first part of her career onboard luxury superyachts. We asked Lien about her life onboard, her life ashore and how the transition felt:
Why did you move ashore?
“I worked on board superyachts for seven and a half years with my partner, when the owners of the last yacht I worked on decided to sell their vessel. So we had a decision to make, look for a new (couples) position on another yacht, or maybe it was just time to ‘go home.’
We finished the Med season with the owner and sold the yacht during the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in 2016. Before coming ashore, we decided to travel around New Zealand and Asia for a few months.”
Do you have any advice for a seafarer looking to come ashore?
“I thought it would be difficult to find a shore-based role, as for me it also meant immigrating from Belgium to the UK. However, in reality, it was not. I applied for positions with local companies and only had a couple of interviews before a position was offered.
It was still in the maritime industry and allowed me the opportunity to use my language skills instead of the experience I gained onboard the superyachts.
So, when you are rewriting your ‘shore-based CV’, you need to think creatively and sometimes rephrase the seagoing experience you gained to a language shoreside employers will understand.”
What is the best thing about moving to a career on land?
"I miss the sunrises and sunsets when underway. You just don’t get the same experience ashore. Also, the lifestyle is so different, most of your time is spent in picturesque and sunny places.
However, I don’t miss the nights you’re kept awake because of rough weather. I sometimes felt trapped onboard, like there was no space to move. Whereas ashore, I can go for long walks in the countryside or sign up to sports classes; there’s more of a routine to the days now and life is a bit more organised."
Carlos Perez: Shore based working and family life
Cruise Recruitment Manager, Carlos, worked onboard cruise ships for 17 years before looking to settle in the UK for a new role.
Why did you move ashore?
“I met my wife while working onboard and decided I would like to move ashore to spend time with and support my family.”
Do you have any advice for a seafarer looking to come ashore?
“After so many years at sea, it is important to have a plan before coming ashore, especially if that means moving to a new country. Onboard you have food, accommodation, and community provided, which is something you must pay for ashore.
I found the first year the hardest, often feeling like I would be going back to sea soon and I was still just on an off-period. Eventually this faded, and the routine of a shore-based career became normal.
I found that moving to a shore-based role that is still within the maritime industry has certainly helped to make the transition smoother. Having peers around me who have also come from similar backgrounds means there is a level of understanding and a bond that cannot be replicated with those who have not experienced a seafaring career.”
What is the best thing about moving to a career on land?
“I miss travelling the world and meeting people from different countries. The crew you work with everyday become a family and that relationship is something that cannot be replicated ashore.
The best thing about working ashore is having a family that I can spend time with. There is a different kind of stability and routine ashore that is more suited to family life.”
Karine Gasperin: Moving into maritime recruitment
Cruise Recruitment Consultant, Karine, worked onboard ferries for 32 years. We asked her about her experience onboard and how smooth her transition to shore-based working was.
Why did you move ashore?
“Working onboard can be very physically demanding. After so many years at sea, I felt I wanted to stay in the same area but have less of a physical responsibility. My love for the maritime industry was something I wanted to keep in my work, which is why I applied for a role with Viking Crew. I am able to use my experience from working onboard, to help other seafarers find a role that is best suited for them.”
Do you have any advice for a seafarer looking to come ashore?
“Working onboard, your colleagues feel like a big family. My advice to seafarers looking for a job ashore would be to look for a position within the sector. At Viking Crew for example, there are lots of other seafarers who have moved ashore, who can understand how the transition feels and can share their experiences.
As a recruitment consultant, I can also empathise strongly with the candidates I interview and place because of my seafaring background. It is nice to still be able to contribute to the industry and help others to find their dream roles at sea.”
What is the best thing about moving to a career on land?
“I will always miss the second family that is the crew you work with. The worst thing about coming ashore is not seeing the people I would spend every day with. However, coming ashore is a more consistent lifestyle, sleeping in the same bed each night, more consistent weather, and regular shifts.”
Shore-based jobs at Viking Crew
At Viking Crew, we have plenty of jobs available for seafarers. Whether you are looking for another onboard contract or hoping to come ashore.
Visit our vacancies page to see our current opportunities onboard with leading cruise lines, superyachts and luxury vessels. Or, if you are looking for a shore-based role at Viking Crew, take a look at our careers page.
