Ship's Captains

The first thing to learn is if you have the legs as well as stomach for this type of work, especially if you aim to be at sea for lengthy periods of time. If you live near a port, get a part-time job on a sightseeing or fishing boat. This will give you the opportunity to experience what it's like to work while on a moving vessel. You will also have the opportunity to see what a ship captain does. See if you can set up a time to speak with the captain to ask questions about the job and find out what steps they took to get into the profession. You can also learn more about maritime professions through online exploration. One place to start is by visiting the Web site of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD), which features information about the merchant marine and waterborne transportation, as well as a list of maritime colleges and academies.