FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — Responses from over 2,000 shore and sea staff to a global survey have resulted in a report from specialist international recruiter Fastream that highlights the gap that exists between perception and reality across the international industry.

Fastream's latest Maritime Employment Report shows that seafarers seeking a shore career tend to focus on the traditional and more accessible roles such as superintendent, fleet manager and harbor master. They see the professions of law or insurance as being out of reach despite a large proportion of their shore based colleagues stating the importance of having a seafarer in the office.

The report also reveals the gap between perceived and achievable starting salaries for mariners coming ashore after 10-15 years. Almost all underestimated how much they would be paid if they moved ashore to a related maritime role.

Elsewhere in the report, shore-based respondents were asked to comment on where future opportunities would lie and what they thought the pay differences were between regions. Interestingly, those in Europe and the U.S. believed that they earned more than their Asian counterparts when the reality is somewhat different. Workers in the U.S. and in Asia were largely happy with their earnings, whilst those in Europe were more disgruntled with their pay.

Other key findings from the report:

• 69 percent of all respondents would follow the same career path again, if given a second chance – but only half of deck officers would.
• 92 percent of shoreside workers think it is at least "quite important" to have ex seafarers in the office, whilst 35 percent say it is vital.
• Engineering officers think it is much easier to get a job ashore that deck officers do.
• The least attractive shoreside professions to seafarers are in the legal, insurance and shipbroking sectors.
• 37 percent of maritime professionals think that SE Asia offers the best career opportunities over the next 10 years.

Commenting on the results, Faststream Group CEO Mark Charman said:

"The maritime industry is complex for employees and employers alike and there are some surprising similarities and differences to be found in each region and each business sector. This ground-breaking report has thrown up some remarkable findings that will help employers better understand the employment landscape and plan their recruitment campaigns more effectively. There is a fine line between perception and reality and this report helps us understand some of the more obscure factors that influence the career choice of our potential employees"

A full copy of the report can be downloaded HERE