Marine careers

[AlistairM]

Not sure if this is the right place so apologies if I have got it wrong.

I have been in active employment in the IT industry for the past 8 years, I am currently established in the Project Management sector. I am now looking for a new direction in to the marine environment.

So for the panel i would ask;

What sort of opportunities should I be looking for
and what sector of the industry would particularly suit my skill set (reasonably technical project manager).

I have long been involved in the leisure side of the industry on a recreational level, but now wish to enter it as a career.

Thanks as ever for your much valued contributions

 

[fontmell]

Not being negative but marine business mostly badly paid, currently downturning in a big way, many here today gone tommorow chancers think easy money is to be made when it is often jut the view from the outside Remember the only way to make $1m in marine business is to start with $2m

Being serious now is not a good time to enter and be carefull when you do; also turning your hobby into career has many downsides usually at the expence of enjoying your hobby

 

[AlistairM]

Oh!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Well best to get that sort of response I guess at least I know now ey!!

I was only considering the idea at the moment. Prehaps I will stick with computer systems for a while longer then.

FWIW - After conatcting the BMIF the best advice they could offer (other than post my cv with them) was to get in to the superyacht industry!!!

Does any one else think that is not exactly a long "career" prospect??

 

[mollyoxford]

I'd advise you to look at what you actually *enjoy*, rather than what you think you are suited to by previous experience. Or you won't stick it. I'd advise that to anyone for any career change, actually.

My own experinces were with teaching and skippering (e.g. corporate events) - These require that you are very (justifiably) confident in your own sailing abilities, have excellent people skills and a lot of patience. It took the fun out of it for me.

 

[powerskipper]

check out this web site, will give you an idea. here

 

[curve]

There is always the danger of turning something that you enjoy as a hobby into your full time job. Some say it takes away the fun of it all if you are getting paid for it.

 

[alant]

What sort of opportunities should I be looking for
and what sector of the industry would particularly suit my skill set (reasonably technical project manager).

I have long been involved in the leisure side of the industry on a recreational level, but now wish to enter it as a career.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keep your recreational interests as RECREATIONAL!

If you want to enter the industry, try another path - such as 'heavy commercial' areas, where any skills you currently have in IT can be utilised.

Trying to work at a recreation, soon kills the immense pleasure you currently enjoy.

If your not too old, join the RN.

 

[pyrojames]

Superyachts are one of the booming areas. Unlikely to drop off in the near or medium term, but an extremely demanding field. You must be good, you must be committed and you must "jump" when told too. The people who own and run these boats are very very demanding.

 

[AlistairM]

Hmm, maybe it was just a pipe dream, Im beginig to think that its not such a good idea.

Thanks for your contributions, as ever, a wealth of experiance I couldn tget anywhere else.

 

[maxi77]

I think you need to start by defining what you mean by marine industry, and then how your skills may be transfered.

My son became a naval architect with the view to becoming a yacht designer, but in reality apart from a short period during his graduate apprenticeship he has never been near yacht design. He is now a project manager for one of the big ofshore engineering companies, and that is certainly an area where there is plenty of well paid work, and they do have a need for project managment skills.

I think the comment of keeping what you do for leisure and what you do for work separate has merit, and from what I have seen the 'super yacht' business requires you to start at the very bottom and work your way up through performance and personal reputation. Equally it will require working for people who are by their nature autocrats, something many people have some difficulty with.

However it goes good luck.

 

[MikeJones]

Beware about spending a fortune for training with the ridiculous salaries quoted by a centre in Cowes, they are happy to take your money but when you need one of these fantastically paid jobs experience is what is required, not a certificate with wet ink.

 

[absit_omen]

Which is why many of the Superyacht Captains and Engineers are ex RN Officers.

Lady Moura, the massive jobbie often seen in Formentera is a case in point. The Arab chappie who owns that would laugh at any joke certificate from Cowes. He wants the real thing - and can pay for it.

 

[Dyflin]

Funny, all the guys on "super yachts" I met were MN, you know, professionals /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[absit_omen]

Well, yeah , RN MN - all the same to us pongos. Don't really care as long as they have put in the professional miles. And not those sort of miles that the 'mile building' courses offer - ie sitting on your arse on a 50 footer tradewinding across the Atlantic while Daddy picks up the tab.

 

[Boat44]

Agree, "Marine Industry" is a bit big covering everything from yard hands to engineers, to refit managers to naval architects, to yacht brokers, to finance and beyond.

There are lots of opportunites in the "marine industry". There is a recognised world shotage of skilled crew for super yachts ast the moment with no sign of it going away. An intresting market sector as it is somewhat imune to recessions. There is also a bit of a shortage of naval architects.

If you are after yacht crew type work, suggest you contact UKSA and have a chat. If you are after more project management/engineering try the www.rina.org.uk, there is a job setion which also has various recruitment agencies.

If you want to stay in computers but also do yacht suspect there would be a good fit somewhere as yachts, commercial vessels and military becoming even more IT based in their systems. www.synfo.com would give a good idea around yacht world. Could also check out seaworks 2008

BMF is a good body, but it covers too wide an spectrum to be of use in terms of a route to the marine industy. It covers guys who make docks, to guys that simulate airwake for helicopters on superyachts and everybody in between.

But as other say, be careful about mixing business with pleasure; can be great, but also can be c**p.

I love boats, have my own which I regualry sail yet work in the "marine industry" but don't come anywhere near a yacht 9-5.

Hope that is of some help.

 

[sailorman]

[What sort of opportunities should I be looking for
and what sector of the industry would particularly suit my skill set (reasonably technical project manager).

I have long been involved in the leisure side of the industry on a recreational level, but now wish to enter it as a career.]

How about "Official Receiver" /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif