Question about freight ship..?

Question

How much do the first mates on the ship make? Because my dad will never tell me since thats what he works as and i'm thinking about becoming one.. ?!?!

Answer 1

In Australia the pay scale is graded so that it is highest for crew on Oil/Gas tankers which travel overseas, then Oil/Gas Tankers which remain on the Australian coast, then Bulk/Container vessels which travel overseas, then Bulk/Container vessel which remain on the coast.

The difference is so high that a cook on an overseas tanker used to get paid more than an officer on a coastal bulk carrier.

A 1st mate will be well paid, because it is a tough job with lots of responsibility, you stand the 4am-8am and 4pm-8pm watch at sea, do cargo watches when in port (supervising unloading / loading of cargo) you remain on the bridge during berthing/sailing manouvers and do lots of paperwork in your 'spare' time.

In Australia we used to have some of the best conditions in the world with seafarers spending 6 months a year at sea and 6 months at home (usually in 6 week periods). There isnt much of an Australian industry left anymore and the international standard seems to be 9 months at sea and 3 months at home with salaries being driven down due to the huge number of sailors graduating from nautical colleges in India and Asia.

Its terribly hard on your family and even harder if you are a woman. Its still a massively predominantly males domain with a lot of predjudice against women. Its getting harder and harder to get a command due to vessels getting larger - there are more officers and fewer ships so lots of officers retire without ever having their own command. I'd say your Dad isnt telling you his salary because he is trying to steer you away from the career.

If you truly love the ide of the sea then follow your dream, but do it with your eyes open. Good luck in whatever you choose to do though.

Answer 2

It very much depends on the country and the size and kind of freighter, and the shipping company he works for.  As a general rule in the USA and Canada they make very good money.  Some could make something approaching, or into,  the six figure range, but it could also be less.  Often the perks are as important as the salary - such as how time ashore is allocated, etc.  So we would need much more information.  Explain to your dad why you want to know, and he might tell you.  Many members of my family have careers that take them to sea.  It can be a great life, but you have to be able to handle the time away from home and the sort of shifts (watches) they do.  Best of luck with your plans.

Answer 3

It all depends on the company/ union contract. I have worked on ships where the Chief mate/First mate makes about 100-120k a year depending on overtime and vacation. I have also worked on ships where they would be lucky to make 60K a year.

One thing to think about is the time it will take to get your first mate job. 4 years of school. 2 years as third mate, 2 years as second mate. all of that is just to get the first mate ticket. you have to then get that job. They are hard to get.