Hi all, please note that since this video is about the pros of maritime, which is why it might seem to be sugar coating some of the hardships in this industry. I do have another video "10 reasons why maritime sucks" which outlines the downside of the industry. Second thing: as a Canadian I've declared non-resident which is why i do not get taxed. Some citizens such as Hong Kong, allow tax free even for residents as sailors work in international waters, so it depends on various countries (ie. USA have one of the strictest tax laws, so im not sure about them) Third..heres the 400k job: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_pilot (use CTRL-F to search "salary")

Let's not forget, during those 6 months at sea, you're getting payed and you aren't making excessive purchases to waste your paycheck since there aren't really many stores

This is a dream job for introverts who want to see the world.

I'd consider this career if I was young and single. I worked in the oil industry for a few years and made $100k with no college degree. Firefighter school was fun.

I'm a financial market trader. I trade under brokerage so i don't really get to do anything, i only receive weekly profits. I sit all day going through Internet and watching TV. I can fit to this kinda job. I love it.

I really like your perspective on solitude! I think one has to learn to be truly happy alone with noone else around to actually live life to the fullest. Friends, family, everything other than you is not what brings that amazing feeling of fulfillment although that is a very nice 'cherry on the top' after you've learned to accept solitude. This video inspires me to go at my plans and get it done correctly, thank you!

Wow. Funny how something so little and easy to miss as this video can change someone’s life. I’m 15 now, in high school. And constantly wondering and troubled about what I should do with myself in the future. I think I might’ve found one answer.

Absolutely, as long as you are single.Totally single.I went three years without having a real home, loved it. 7 months at sea, next 5 as an assistant N.A.I.A. Hoops Coach, lived in a campus studio apartment. Did this for two years. Underway, no need to spend much,not that many opportunity's either. Just pay for bar tabs. Housing ,food,medical covered.No car expense.Tried to do it married, missed a kids birth almost , birthdays, summer vacations, every day family life. School functions, and not there to help my wife with real time situations. But if you are single, O M G what a life.

Im a trucker, but i feel like im in a jail cell that moves. Maritime sounds alot better and im only 37 so i think its worth looking in to.

As a soldier of 7.5 years in the army this will be my career choice after.

Maritime? More like merry time amiright

I'm Danish, and I pay 60% tax 😶 Plus we have taxes on everything else we buy..

After 18y in the industry. So far I've worked in Cruise Ships, RoRo-Pax, Research and Commercial/Private Yachts. Though my needs have changed I feel Maritime is still a great sector to be in. Good to see you promoting it!

Retired US Navy, enjoy your vlog! Many of your thoughts and experiences remind me of how similar life on board a civilian cargo ship is to being on board a military vessel once you are underway. Thanks and keep the videos coming.

Can you do a video breaking down different jobs that are available in the Maritime industry?

Requires a special type of person to enjoy this job. Anyone considering working at sea should really think about how they will cope mentally being away from home and things you enjoy.

You should look up tax percentages in the Netherlands. You'll instantly faint.

im very interested if you make a video about deck department vs engine department XD

This, as a career is rewarding. I learned loving my job even more as a seafarer when i met my wife and started building our family.

Swedish taxes go up to 56.6% AND we have taxes on everything you buy 😥

Attending California Maritime Academy in 2 weeks because of your videos

Could you make a video on how to get some of these jobs?

I am about to be sent to my first assigned vessel in a couple of days or so and I stumbled upon this. This really made me excited and look forward to my life on board. I think what I realized in this video is that our job is all about how you look at it and your attitude towards it. If you consider it a job. Than it will become a boring and stressful ride. But if you look at it like it's an adventure and self improvement then you might even like it better when your on board rather than being on land. Thanks. You really made my day bro

Even if it a "lonely" job, I LOVE Solitude! I'd do it in a heartbeat!!

People stuck on land have no excuse to take a break... some of us can be at work all week but never get that 3 months of rest we need. I have been in a situation where I work close to 12 hours a day, no matter how much weekend you have you can never recover from it. The reason why you like being out at sea is the same reason why I like being in Tasmania, being far away and alone can be great for reflection, and I think it's becoming more and more difficult for those working in the office, especially in Singapore. It's why I don't blame people for going crazy or becoming narrow-minded.

You know what's interesting, is what you said toward the end of the video- how solitude has made you realize the fragility and pure majesty of life. And wanting to make a difference. These are the same conclusions that I've come to (and I suspect a lot of other people have too). It really strikes home. Well, I can tell you that you've made a difference in my life. You've opened the door to a possible route I can take my life down in case my primary interests or goals don't come to fruition. Looking out into the open ocean with nothing around me except the stars and water, made me really appreciate how lucky we all are to even exist in the first place.

Two years after high school I looked into the Merchant Marines. The shop steward asked me to step in his office. He said, I am going to talk to you like you are my own son. “The US Merchant Marines are a thing of the past”. All those ships you see out there are mostly manned by people from other countries

i have had several fellow workers who worked in the merchant marine..none of the made more than $100K even after 14 years. Ship Captains make around $150k a year so where are you getting $400k a year?

never even thought about this as a career choice... its not promoted in the inner city like military nursing and truck driving for ex. very interesting.

As former sailor in the U.S. Navy, I commend you a lot for this videos. I always wondered what life is like a merchant (not from just those documentaries on tv). In a lot of ways the lifestyle on board are similarwith having a chain of command, separation of duty, inspections ect, ect, ect. In light of recent incidents, I really enjoyed my time at sea. No better feeling than standing on foscle and watching all type of vessels sail by. Oh and the rough seas haha. Fair winds and following seas man

Just a dockhand now, doing pumpout boat logging days for my 6pak, thanks for broadening my horizons even more.

I’m 18 and I decided that this is what I want to do as my career. I just want to thank you for giving me the insight on what I should be expecting when I leave next month, you helped me so much and I appreciate it. Thanks.

I love your videos so much, would love to see more about your life on the sea,😉 you just earned a new subscriber💪😎

Hey guy's am Anthony from Africa..........am 16 year's old just got a admission to maritime university am so grateful.....thanks for this video I once think I will spend my life in sea never knew there was holiday.......thanks again.......i wish to be a captain someday

I don't have any specific interest in the Maritime industry, but i've really been enjoying your channel on the topic... because of how interesting your videos are! Keep up the great work, "matey"! lol

I love this entire video. I have found self improvement to be my pastime. It’s all I do, learn skills, or think philosophy. I feel like Iv seen so much through imagination that I can completely relate. It really draws me in.

Nice opinions, but I prefer the air than the sea.

If I only knew this ten years ago!

Jeff I live right next to Cal Maritime here in the states and see the training vessel almost every day. I won’t ever go into Maritime but your insight is amazing. Thanks for putting in the time. Different perspectives make us better people. Great to see what the cadets get to experience when they leave .

Improving yourself is very good idea being isolated on a ship. Really makes you think that you should do that, you dont have distractors. Eventually if you really really prefer passive rest, you can do stuff like downloading 1Tb of series/movies (or anime, just me :3), 50+ books to read (in my case mangas), download some of old videos from YT, get the laptop with some cool older games (there's a plenty of them before the time of internet) and you are done with boredom! Or just learn stuff on computer - like Jeff :P That's not that hard. Everyone just need to find their way to cope with that. Of course it is not possible for everyone.

Not sure why your video was recommended to me, but I'm glad it was. Awesome stuff

My uncle was working with a Maritime Company and retired in 2012 and it didn't pay well for him. He regrets it. He even went to that Maritime school in Maryland to get recertified.

Imagine, your a seaman 30years ago where there still no internet, no mobile phone, and 2yrs work contracts is the norm. It is only now that becoming a seaman is an awesome job.

Cool stuff! I used to work on seismic vessels as data aquisition specialist. I loved the connection with the oceans worldwide.

The only channel i hit the bell XD

I wish I’d seen this video when i was in High School! You’re helping a lot of people.👍

Thank you for sharing and making this world a better place looks like i'm going to school again and apply for a maritime job

You honestly have motivated me to look into this type of job , I’m actually excited ... thank you

Was going to become an economist. Watched tons of videos about seafaring and quited my university after 1st year of study. Already have passed 2 years in maritime uni and had a 2.5 month practice. Totally worth it. In 3.5 years i will become the most satisfied 4th engineer in the fucking world. Guys, im just really happy about that. GL everyone

I start Southampton Maritime Academy in September - As a deck officer ! All my best regards from the UK Jeff! Again thanks for the amazing content and inspiration :D

When I saw the thumbnail I was thinking this is a lowkey promo vid for marmite

For you younger folks a bit of advice.... Get involved with a Sea Scout Ship in your area to get a feel or taste of some shipboard duties. I started when I was 14 with Sea Scouts BSA in New Jersey. Some great mentoring by fantastic people of all ages and a lot of time & love of boats brought me to my career after a stint in the Coast Guard. I’ve since retired having had a great time and a wonderful family. I’d go so far as to steal someone’s saying that “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure!”

I'm finishing all my subjects on december, and going on board as a cadet next year, and for some reason you talking about solitude and loving what you do, trully putting your emotions in this video calmed me, I hope I get to feel like you someday. Keep up the good work.

Wow. This my other choice of career when I was younger (because my dad is also maritime)Im pretty sure this job fits me as I also love soltitude, but I took IT instead. I don't regret anything very close on finishing a coding bootcamp. Someday I knew I could also travel the world. We have our own timezones. Happy to stumble to your channel as I will have a different perspective if I had different choices in my life.

Just passed my UK class 2 orals yesterday. It's an amazing career with great prospects..great video as always.

Yooo i can relate to this video so much! I have sailed small boats my whole life but never really took the decition to study maritime, i am currently surfing and playing lol all day. my study is starting in september, i will study in Holland. Thank for the motivation!

Hey JeffHk, i love watching your videos and just wanted to say a little thank you. I applied to be an engineer back in 2010 when i just left school... but the market was shot over here in the uk. Then after watching your videos and some others i decided to give it a shot. And now i'm just about to enter the world of shipping with P&O Ferries, got my training ahead of me, but say i am excited is an understatement... so whilst i wont be going to far flung locations like you are, i am going to be living my dream. so cheers mate for inspiring me to give my dream a second chance.. 7 years after i thought it was over. All the best from the UK Dan :)

Mariner just like Doctor or Lawyer, even when stock market crash, people still need doctor's care in the hospital, Lawyer actually got more law suits during depression than when economy is booming, because when economy is booming, people didn't want to fight each other.

I used to be a ship physician in the navy and later cruise ships. Most exiciting and fulfilling and reasonably well remunerated as well. But it's a young man's game. I have a lovely family and home that I enjoy coming back to each day. Kudos to people who are still able to do 6 months tours of duty. But as you grow older your priorities change.

I did military and regularly tell my 17 year old son, I would love for him to take a career like what you've been talking about.

Another great/motivational video!

I really want to be a maritime officer and want it it for whole my life (now 17) but i am scared that ai and robots do the jobs for me so I end up jobless can you maybe give a tip of what to do? (i really hope to be a captain someday)

Was a joy listen to ya ! Enjoy your awesome sealife and always take care of you !!! Best wishes from the landscapes 🤘👍⚓️🐞🌻🤝😘

this really sounds like a good path for me, i’m 14 and heading into high school and this is the first time i’ve seen myself in this career. i’ve always been worried about not finding an interest when i’m out of school and being left stranded, so trust me when i say i’ve checked out a lot of majors that interest me

Heads up for all the aspiring female seafarers! As a woman working in Merchant Vessels, big adjustments on oneself is a must. It is also as good as what Jeff says however, like any other jobs there are some things that just simply sucks. Working on board a male dominated environment can be sometimes suffocating, there are instances wherein you are the only female crew onboard, you're already lucky if there were 2 or more. You've got to have a strong heart and dedication to last in this profession. Oftentimes, just because you are a woman, you are underestimated. You feel like you have to triple or exert more effort and dedication. You also have to always watch your back and be extra careful. There are some crew who are assholes and you've got to deal with some perverts. Do not tolerate verbal harrassment and as much as possible report to company early on before it gets to physical harrassment. Be well versed on guidelines about harrassment reports but most importantly make it clear and set a boundary when you mingle with the crew.

I just signed up for merchant navy and wait for the answer..cant wait

My oldest son goes to Sunny Maritime in NY. So proud of him! My youngest is a senior in High school and in the process of applying to this college as well! I dont know u and I really feel proud and happy for your accomplishments! Your parents are very blessed to have a kid like you! 🤗

Sir, I want to say thank You for all your videos. You are doing a great job that help's young seamans and newcommers.

i'm fucking being on a ship 400 k?

Yea if you dont want a family, or friends, or a hobby, or anything outside of work that makes you happy

Thank you Jeff for another good one! You seem so sincere and deep. It seems you are living what you are describing :) Very genuine!

I'm 44 years old. Tree trimmer and driving truck are the only two things I've done for a living. This fascinated me, but alas, I am just too old to go for it now.

This video really makes me consider maritime as a career, but I just couldn't be away from my wife for 6 months

Wish i wouldve known about becoming a merchant marine earlier in life, this is something i wouldve loved to have done, im 50 yrs old now so i know im too old.

I just entered a Maritime School Program...This video was very informative.Thank You!!

The closest thing in my range of engineering choices is naval science, and in Florida we've got coastlines all over lol 👌

you can't be there when your family needs you. but you'll have lots of money if youre officer

Listing to you talk ,a lot of young people could really benefit the way you did learning what's important in life , family friends taking care of yourself ,seeing the world . Great Video

This is excellent! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the world of maritime life. I wish the best for your career!

Jeff, may I ask, how did you end up getting into the maritime business in the first place? A family connection, or a chance conversation at school? Thinking back to my school days, there are numerous areas of industry and commerce that were never mentioned at all. This is why your videos are so fascinating to me, it's a completely different slice of life, something most people never even think about, but fundamental to our modern world. I have to say, and I'm sure others would agree, it helps that you have such a marvelous editing style, with humour and brevity.

My fiancé’s has a bachelor degree in electric engineering, and now he’s also studying to become ship captain.

I'm here after watching your video about the cons of maritime. I've watched your other videos, too. I'm really grateful of informations you share.💞 But, in this video I'm a bit distracted 'coz I think you're the cutest youtube uploader. 😍 Anyway, keep it up.😊😀

Solitude, you’ve nailed it. I think I should plan for some more of that (in my short 2 day weekend, haha). Thanks for the good ideas and pleasant story of your life at sea!

Imagine being mechant marine then out of nowhere a bermuda triangle eat ur ships

Idol Kuya 😊🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

As a deck cadet myself with 1 year of experience, i can safely say that the journey will definitely not be easy with many sacrifices to be made but it is definitely and experience and the outcome will be income!

I was planning (already in a university tbh) to follow a career related to IT, i guess i can get a job related to that in maritime. This would be great for me, since one of my goals is to leave my (shit) country for good, so this would be a good start, specially if i manage to get tax free payments since the taxes on my country aren't all that great. Thank you for making this video and thank you for all the content you post on YT. This video managed to open my mind to new possibilities and I will do some research to see if it is worth for me in my current situation.

Hats off to jeff!

most seafarers in the uk dont pay tax if they qualify, and most do qualify

Danish Cadet in training here, i am contracted in the supply service industry and have been out on one trip so far (cant wait for next one) and allot of things you mentioned still held, though. i often saw people of different ranks helping out with all kind of other stuff as well. for example the chief mate went out with me one day while at port to see weather or not i could figure out how to use a paint brush, me him and an AB helped each other through some days with painting the side of the ship. one of the best things i found while being out there. was the routines, or. the lack of. when you are out sailing you don't need to think about the time getting to and from work every morning and afternoon. you don't need to think about having to cook dinner, or pick up the kids if you have some of those. every day you just get up, eat, work, relax... start over. its a simple life out on sea and not for everyone. but for those who can do it, i am certain it's a bliss.

Thank you very much for these information.👍

I'm 35 now. Wish I knew this info sooner. I feel like I wasted my life.

"We all know Hanjin went bankrupt". Me:

Love it. I'm an OTR truck driver in USA. Get to see the entire lower 48 continental/ from coast 2coast. "See the country" but only at night, going 60 mph. All cities and towns are viewed from the bypass route around the city/ avoiding the downtown/ city center area.

I watched this like three years ago and I've been looking for this video ever since

I would work here for 10 years and never work again lol my dream job would pay 60k average and I only want money to support my hobbies

I'm 17 and doing Alevels can you tell me what qualifications you need? Should I carry on doing Alevels I've got one year left or should I get some experience and get an apprenticeship? Thanks love the vids.

Great video wish I was in my 20s. The benefit of growing up with videos to research your career, in the 80s you were on your own and good luck. Hope your career hoes well. Thanks for the great vid.

Working at sea is a great career decision. More money, traveling, zero stress.

I'm from the Philippines! I'll become a seaman someday!!! 🇵🇭