Seafarer Attraction & Retention Survey Report

Despite the fact that shipping urgently needs to know the real thoughts of those serving on ships today, the modern merchant mariner is almost completely out of sight and mind. Regrettably, instead of dialogue and proper feedback, there has long been only speculation and second-guesses filling in for the unheard voices of those out at sea.

To counter this dearth of information online recruitment company Shiptalk Recruitment Limited has begun a human element initiative with Market Research Company Gilmour Research (GRS), to find-out exactly what serving seafarers think about their lives at sea. The initiative takes the form of five separate surveys running through late 2007, into 2008, and this first report which looks at "Seafarer Attraction and Retention", provides some shocks.

The Shiptalk Recruitment Life At Sea series of surveys have been designed to obtain up-to-date perspectives on the issues that most concern modern seafarers and to find out what serving seafarers think about their lives at sea. This survey, the first in a series of five to take place, focuses on attraction and retention - what attracts people to a career at sea and what keeps them in a career at sea?

The "Life At Sea" surveys have been designed to obtain up-to-date perspectives on the issues that most concern modern seafarers, and contains vital intelligence for ship operators, legislators, manning agencies, academics, training establishments and anyone concerned with real-life contemporary conditions at sea. The findings make compelling reading for anyone looking to attract, retain or manage people at sea today, showing vividly how active seafarers view their trade and provides essential information for anyone contemplating a sea-going career.

List of Tables and Charts
Preface and Acknowledgements
Co Authors/Overview
How can you access and use this survey?

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Method

3.0 Survey Characteristics

4.0 Key Conclusions
4.1.0 Responder Profile
4.2.0 Attraction
4.3.0 Retention

5.0 Survey Results

5.1.0 Responder Details
5.1.1 Gender
5.1.2 Nationality
5.1.3 Personal Circumstances
5.1.4 Current Age of Respondents
5.1.5 Age Respondents first went to sea
5.1.6 Number of years served at sea

5.2.0 Shipboard Particulars
5.2.1 Rank & Department
5.2.2 Type of Vessel
5.2.3 Current Flag
5.2.4 Trading Patterns of Current Vessel

5.3.0 Seafarer Attraction
5.3.1 Motivators
5.3.2 Learning about Employment at Sea
5.3.3 Method of Applying for First Job at Sea
5.3.4 Choosing the First Ship
5.3.5 Deciding on a First Job at Sea
5.3.6 Pre-sea Training
5.3.7 Previous work experience
5.3.8 Life and Work Expectations

5.4.0 Seafarer Retention
5.4.1 Reasons for staying at sea
5.4.2 The Most Important Factors of Seafaring
5.4.3 Employment Benefits
5.4.3 Employment Benefits contd.
5.4.4 Onboard Crew Facilities
5.4.5 Most Important Joining Issues
5.4.6 The Worst Aspects of a Career at Sea
5.4.7 Crew Retention
5.4.8 Intention of staying at sea

6.0 Further Research

7.0 Contact Information

About The Author

Capt Thomas Brown BSc (Hons) MNI

Following fourteen years of deep sea experience on all vessel types and in all ranks Capt Brown graduated from Plymouth University with a BSc (Hons) in Marine Technology and Maritime Law before spending seven years working at a senior level in the claims department of a leading International Group P&I Club.

As well as being the current Chairman of Shiptalk Recruitment Limited, Capt Brown is the Managing Director of Seacurus Limited a leading UK based marine credit insurance brokerage.

Capt.Brown was assisted by Emma Brown BA MA with the statistical analysis.