Blogs

Welcome to the BLOGS section at SEAMEN.ES—a vibrant community where seafarers from around the globe share their unique stories, professional knowledge, and firsthand experiences. This is where the real life at sea is documented by those who live it every day.

What you will discover in our community:

Life at Sea: Personal accounts, daily routines, and authentic insights into the challenges and rewards of a maritime career.

Professional Advice & Career Growth: Practical tips on how to ace your interviews, career progression paths, and advice for those just starting out.

Academy & Training Reviews: Honest, unbiased reviews of maritime training centers and educational institutions.

Knowledge Exchange: Discuss technical nuances, share travel experiences, and connect with colleagues worldwide.

Become a contributor:
Your voice matters. Whether you are a cadet or a seasoned Captain, we invite you to start your own maritime blog on SEAMEN.ES. Share your professional expertise, publish articles about your voyages, and help the next generation of seafarers navigate their career paths.

Join the conversation, grow your professional network, and become an active part of the global maritime community at SEAMEN.ES.

Oct92026 by Dmytro MelnikovNo Comments

How to Renew a Seafarer’s Certificate Without Losing Sea Service

Blogs, Posts

How to Renew a Seafarer's Certificate Without Losing Sea Service A seafarer's Certificate of Competency (CoC) and STCW certificates are the lifeblood of their career. These documents typically have a validity of five years. Allowing them to expire can result in a loss of valid sea service status and require retaking extensive exams. This guide outlines the proper procedure for renewing your seafarer's certificate smoothly, ensuring continuous professional eligibility. Requirements for Minimum Sea Service The standard route to renewing a CoC without having to take full examinations is by proving continued professional competence through sea service. The STCW convention generally requires you to demonstrate approved seagoing service performing duties appropriate to the certificate held for ...

Oct72026 by Dmytro MelnikovNo Comments

STCW Certificates for Working on Tankers and Gas Carriers

Blogs, Posts

STCW Certificates for Working on Tankers and Gas Carriers Transitioning to the tanker and gas carrier fleet (LNG/LPG) is a lucrative career move, but it requires specialized training and certification above the standard STCW requirements. The handling of hazardous, flammable, and cryogenic cargoes demands a deep understanding of safety protocols and operational procedures. This article details the mandatory STCW certificates required for deck and engine officers to work on these specialized vessels. Basic and Advanced Training for Liquefied Gas Tanker Operations The STCW Convention (Regulation V/1-2) outlines specific training for personnel on liquefied gas tankers. There are two primary levels of certification: 1. Basic Training for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations This entry-level ...

Oct62026 by Dmytro MelnikovNo Comments

Seafarer’s Certificate in Spain: A Step-by-Step Guide

Blogs, Posts

Validation of a Seafarer's Certificate in Spain: A Step-by-Step Guide For seafarers looking to work under the Spanish flag or for Spanish shipping companies, the recognition of your foreign maritime certificate is a critical step. This process, known as homologation, is managed by the Ministerio de Transportes (Mitma) through the Dirección General de la Marina Mercante. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the entire procedure, from gathering documents to dealing with the Capitanía Marítima. Understanding the Homologation Process A foreign seafarer's certificate (CoC - Certificate of Competency) does not automatically grant the right to work on Spanish-flagged vessels. The homologation process verifies that your training meets STCW standards and aligns with Spanish maritime reg...

Oct52026 by Dmytro MelnikovNo Comments

Transitioning from Bulk to Gas Carriers: A Guide for Juniors

Blogs, Gas Carriers, Posts

Transitioning from Bulk Carriers to Gas Carriers: A Guide for Juniors Dreaming of trading coal dust for the sterile decks of gas carriers? Transitioning from the bulk fleet to LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) vessels is a popular and justified career move for junior specialists (cadets, 4th engineers, 3rd officers). In this guide by seamen.es, we will explain why you should make this move and how to prepare for it. Why Gas Carriers? Advantages of LPG Contracts Working on gas carriers is considered elite in the merchant fleet, and for good reasons: Contract Duration: While a standard contract for a junior on bulkers lasts 6-8 months, on gas carriers it is 4-5 months. This allows you to be home more often and reduces psychological burnout. Salaries: Rates on LPG are on average 20-40% high...

Oct32026 by Dmytro MelnikovNo Comments

Crewing Interviews for Gas Engineers

Blogs, Gas Carriers, Posts

Crewing Interviews for Gas Engineers: How to Succeed Successfully passing a technical interview is the main hurdle on the way to a high-paying job on LPG and LNG gas carriers. In this guide for seamen.es, we will break down what questions superintendents ask engineers (2nd, 3rd, 4th Engineer) and how to prepare for interviews in crewing agencies (including popular Odessa agencies like CRS). Typical Tricky Questions from Superintendents Interviews with representatives of foreign shipowners (Greeks, Chinese, Singaporeans) often go beyond standard tests. You will be tested on your understanding of processes, not just your knowledge of manuals. For those starting out, it's crucial to show an excellent theoretical foundation. "What will you do if the high-pressure alarm in the compressor cr...

Oct22026 by Dmytro MelnikovNo Comments

Seafarers’ Salaries on LPG and LNG Tankers in 2026

Blogs, Gas Carriers, Posts

Seafarers' Salaries on LPG and LNG Tankers in 2026 The maritime energy transportation market is experiencing rapid growth, and 2026 is no exception. The demand for clean fuel is driving the construction of new LPG and LNG gas carriers. In this article for seamen.es, we will conduct an in-depth analysis of the current salary levels on gas carriers, examine the influence of major shipowners, and break down contract nuances. Rate Dynamics for Officers: Masters, Chief Officers, CENG, and 2nd Officers In 2026, rates on gas carriers continue to hold leading positions in the industry. The acute shortage of qualified personnel with experience on LNG and specialized LPG vessels forces companies to revise their salary scales upwards. Rank Average Salary on LPG ($/mo) Average Salary on LNG ($/mo)...

Oct12026 by Dmytro MelnikovNo Comments

Working on LPG Gas Carriers: Salaries, Vacancies, and Specifics

Blogs, Gas Carriers, Posts

Introduction: The Growing Popularity of the Gas Carrier Fleet In recent years, the maritime industry has witnessed a significant increase in demand for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) transportation. This is driven by the global transition towards greener fuels and the growing needs of the chemical industry. Working on LPG gas carriers is becoming increasingly attractive for seafarers, offering high salaries, modern vessels, and excellent career prospects. However, this field requires specialized knowledge, strict discipline, and a readiness to handle hazardous cargoes. Overview of Current Salaries on LPG and LNG Gas Carriers One of the main reasons seafarers transition to gas carriers is the compensation level, which is traditionally higher than on bulk carr...

Aug312026 by ДмитрийNo Comments

Life in a Steel Box: Surviving 6 Months at Sea

Blogs

Packing Like a Pro: What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) Let me tell you something: packing for a six-month contract isn’t just about throwing clothes into a bag. It’s a high-stakes game of Tetris where the prize is your sanity. Over the years, I’ve learned this the hard way—like the time my suitcase got lost in Dubai during a layover, leaving me in a hotel room with nothing but the clothes on my back and a toothbrush I’d borrowed from the front desk. That was the day I swore I’d never again underestimate the power of a well-packed backpack. The Great Luggage Debate: Backpack vs. Suitcase First, let’s settle the eternal question: backpack or suitcase? Officially, you’re allowed 40kg of luggage as a seafarer, but airlines don’t care about maritime rules—they’ll slap you with a 23kg limi...

Aug302026 by ДмитрийNo Comments

USCG Inspection: A Marine Engineer’s Survival Guide

Blogs

The Psychology of Waiting: Adrenaline and Last-Minute Chaos There’s a peculiar kind of dread that settles in your chest when you know the USCG is coming. It’s not the same as the slow-burning anxiety of a rough sea passage or the creeping unease of a mechanical failure in the middle of the ocean. No, this is sharper—like the prickle of static before a storm, the kind that makes your fingers twitch and your jaw clench. By the time the 17-day preparation marathon was over, we’d burned through 148 tons of diesel and 701 tons of heavy fuel, scrubbed every surface until it gleamed, and rehearsed emergency drills until our muscles moved on autopilot. But none of that mattered now. Because in the final hours before the inspection, the ship had a way of reminding us that perfection was an illusion...

Aug292026 by ДмитрийNo Comments

From Korean Slipways to Chittagong Sands: A Ship’s Life

Blogs

The Birthplace of Giants: Why South Korea Dominates Shipbuilding I still remember the first time I set foot in the dry dock at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan. The sheer scale of it hit me like a physical force—an open-air cathedral of steel and concrete, stretching farther than my eyes could follow. The dock was 670 meters long, 131 meters wide, and deep enough to swallow a 20-story building. And there, at its center, loomed the skeleton of what would become a 400,000-ton Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), its ribs of high-tensile steel rising like the bones of some mythical beast. I’d worked on ships before, but nothing prepares you for the moment you realize you’re standing inside the future hull of a vessel that will carry enough oil to fuel a small country. South Korea didn’t just st...