Age limit for seafarers
Automatic translation
In our articles, we have already considered the issue of the age of the seafarer, whether it is difficult to find work after 60 years and other issues related to the age qualification. Today we will try to combine all these data and cover this topic more fully, since it often appears in the list of topics put forward at the forums of Ukrainian (and not only) seafarers.
Age question
As experts note, the question of age itself is usually applied in some narrower context. For example, up to what is the maximum age you can work in one company, what is the upper limit for the age of a seafarer so that another shipping company can approve his candidacy (that is, when changing jobs) and the maximum age of approval of your candidacy in relation to a specific position and specialty. So, let's look at these questions point by point.
As a rule, in one company for the same position, the upper age limit is 63-65 years. This does not mean that such a qualification is valid in all companies, without exception, because different ships have different requirements for the crew and, accordingly, a different set of technical tasks. Some of the tasks after the age of 60 become quite difficult to perform, and in other cases it is impossible. Therefore, the more complex your boat type, the lower this bar will be. In addition to technical challenges, at age 60 there may be other issues that affect the company in deciding whether to continue working. Among the most frequent are the complication of getting along with the changing crew and some obsolescence of approaches to establishing mutual understanding between the crew members. It is unlikely that the shipowners will want to leave you on the ship if you,
For the transfer to another company, among the senior officers, experts allocate the upper bar at 58 years old. Why exactly so many? Many shipowners and crewing companies note that the closer a seafarer gets to the age of 60, the higher the likelihood that he will not want to change his current workplace and will prefer to simply work to the age limit, especially if his company practices a seniority pension. Shipping companies and crewing companies are more inclined to employ seafarers from among the top officers, if he has not yet reached the age of 55. This is due to the fact that they are counting on the work of this specialist on the ship for at least five years, thereby closing a key position for a long time. Employment over this age may be associated with getting on the ship in an unsatisfactory condition,
Lower plank
The junior officer corps has an even lower age limit. Again, it may vary in different shipping companies, but experts set it at no more than 45-50 years. This age limit is explained by the subjective opinion of shipowners that if a seaman by the age of 50 has not reached the promotion to a senior officer, then this raises doubts about his professional suitability. Yes, this point of view is quite controversial, but it does exist.
Thus, there are no unambiguous and clear age limits, but there are certain limits beyond which it will be quite difficult, if not impossible, to get a job. From company to company, and even from crewing to crewing, these levels may differ, so even if you are denied in one place, you can try to find a job at sea in other companies.
