Maritime Skills

The maritime job field can be competitive, especially during the off-season for certain types of industries, such as fishing jobs. Having a great resume and doing well during a job interview are crucial, but if you truly want to stand apart from the crowd, there are a few skills you should learn.

These may not take you long to master, but can set you apart from the crowd when applying for a job.

Tying Knots: All maritime workers should learn how to tie knots, but if you’re applying for an entry-level position, you may have not otherwise learned this skill yet. Take the initiative to go out and learn knot-tying on your own, before you ever even consider a maritime job.

CPR and First Aid: When you’re on a ship, you can’t get to a hospital in a hurry if someone is sick or injured. Therefore, the more people on a ship who know CPR and first aid, the better. You can take free classes at most hospitals, which are sponsored by the Red Cross and will provide your with official certification.

Strength: Have you noticed that the maritime industry is predominantly male? This is in part due to the fact that strength is a huge asset when working on a boat. That’s not to say that girls can’t apply, but everyone applying for a workboat job – male or female – should have great upper arm strength and be physically fit.

Navigational Know-how: Most ships employ someone who has the sole responsibility of navigating the shop. However, having basic skills yourself in this field is important, since there’s always the possibility of injury or illness to a crucial crewmember. Learn to read a compass at the very least.

Understanding of the Weather: So much of a ship’s operations depend on the weather, so if you understand how this works, you’re better prepared for working on the water. If you’re new to the area, learn a bit about the climate, and also consider learning about temperature, cold fronts and warm fronts, thunderstorms, currents, and other basics dealing with weather and climate.