We’ve explored many different careers on land – and now it’s time to cast our nets wider and see what opportunities exist at sea!
This Talk Like a Pirate Day, we abso-loot-ly couldn’t pass up on the chance to drop some terrible puns and showcase some of the exciting roles you could set sail with across the maritime industry in Australia.
Let’s walk the plank and dive in!
What is Talk Like a Pirate Day?
Talk Like a Pirate Day takes place on the 19th of September every year. It’s a nationally recognised fundraising event to raise vital funds for Childhood Cancer Support.
Childhood Cancer Support was founded by families focused on advocacy and improvement in treatment facilities, including the need for skilled personnel and specialised equipment. The charity also supports families who may need to travel and spend time away from the home to ensure their children receive the best treatment.
Talk Like a Pirate Day encourages workplaces and schools to dress up, have fun, and talk like pirates, raising money for a worthy cause.
Head over to the dedicated Talk Like a Pirate Day site to find out more and get involved.
The Maritime Industry in Australia
The Maritime industry in Australia is vast and encompasses much more than you might initially think.
The sector operates at a global level for transport, amongst other things, and at a local and national level for a range of sub-sectors, including fishing and aquaculture, patrol and rescue.
Australia’s coastline is over 60,000 kilometres long and has more cruise passengers than any other nation, making it the fourth-largest cruise market in the world!
It’s not just about cruise ship captains or deckhands, though. There’s a range of career paths to explore, such as:
- Marine Engine Drivers
- Marine Engineers
- Marine Surveyors
- Integrated Ratings
- Deck Officers
- Ships Masters
- Marina Operations
- Marine Biology
And more – including a wide range of opportunities within the Australian Defence Force Navy.
8 Maritime Careers to Jump Onboard With
There are many different ways to explore the industry if you are passionate about all things maritime. Here’s a look at some of the top jobs you could pursue:
1. Marine Engineer
Marine engineers manage the maintenance and repair of the ship’s machinery, from the control room to engines and motors. They use computer software to source and detect issues or potential maintenance needs and act to ensure these are dealt with efficiently and effectively.
To be successful in the role, you’ll need strong problem-solving skills and enjoy working in a hands-on role with other technical and maintenance professionals.
2. Naval Architect
Naval architects are highly specialised professionals that work on the planning, designing, and developing of building new ships and sea vessels. This could be anything from large cargo ships to specialised mission ships (like those venturing to Antarctica) or lifeboats.
The role needs excellent technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and the capacity to think innovatively.
3. Diving Instructor
Diving instructors coach, train and assess the competence of underwater divers. This includes freedivers, recreational, technical, and professional divers, such as military, commercial, public safety and scientific divers. They may also teach and coach scuba diving and snorkelling as part of their role, depending on where they work.
Diving instructors need excellent patience and people skills and to remain calm and direct when needed.
4. Shipbuilding Engineer
Shipbuilding engineers deal with the engineering aspect of the design and construction of ships and marine vessels. Essentially, they take the designs of naval architects and make them a reality. Like other engineering fields, a shipbuilding engineer goes through four years of training to be eligible to work in a shipbuilding yard.
You’ll need excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to work well with others as part of a team.
Check out our interview with Joyce, a graduate mechanical engineer who works on defence ships for BAE Systems!
5. Shipping Freight Broker
Shipping freight brokers link those looking to ship cargo and those with the ships to transport said cargo. They’ll liaise with both parties to organise all the details, invoices, and payments and ensure that the cargo ends up where it’s supposed to be. They may also help ensure security and border requirements are met for smooth delivery.
The role requires time management, organisational skills, and the ability to build strong interpersonal relationships with various individuals and businesses.
6. Marine Biologist
Marine biologists specialise in researching, studying and maintaining ocean and aquatic life. They conduct in-depth experiments, rescue and rehabilitate sick or injured marine animals and monitor animal behaviours for research purposes. They may work for conservation organisations, sea-life and recovery centres, or universities.
Marine biologists are dedicated individuals who bring many skills to their work. This includes being patient and analytical and having the ability to work independently for periods.
7. Cargo Engineer
Cargo engineers work within shipping yards and supervise the loading, discharging and conditioning of cargo transported by ships. This engineering field is always in demand, especially as shipping networks expand.
They need great organisation and time management skills and the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines.
8. Cruise Ship Crew
The world of cruise ship careers is vast, and there are many ways to get involved! From hospitality, catering and chef roles, to cleaning and facilities, to customer service and crew mates.
Whatever you’re interested in, there’s usually an opportunity to explore it in this big industry. You’ll need to be highly professional and happy to spend time away from home, but it could also be an excellent opportunity to see the world and meet lots of new people!
Find Out More
Whether this list has got you hooked already, or you’re keen to learn more about where a maritime career could take you, head over to our industry profiles, where you can discover an array of industries in more depth.
We’ve also welcomed some exciting new employer partners who can help you learn more about qualifications, pathways and what a day in the life in the industry looks like.
Our employer partners are constantly growing, so remember to head to the section on our website to see who’s new and who’s hiring!
