Many experienced sailors serve on tanker fleet vessels: this is both honorable and lucrative. Crewing companies provide vacancies for any type of tanker, but work on a gas carrier is perhaps the most profitable: working conditions are excellent, and salaries cannot be higher. True, it is not easy to get such a vacancy; additional training, confirmation of qualifications, etc. are required. Is it worth it? It's up to you to decide.
The bright side of the coin
The first and main thing that attracts sailors to work on LNG tankers or, in common parlance, gas carriers is the high level of salaries. Here, all officers are paid an “extra” thousand, even sailors often receive a rate slightly higher than on other ships.
The second, no less important point: there is almost always work for sailors on a gas tanker. LNG tankers are among the largest vessels in the international fleet, so their maintenance requires a lot of manpower.
Third on the list are working conditions. Most often they talk about separate cabins and the ability to access the Internet, but this is not all. Modern equipment automates many processes that until recently were done by human hands, so working on new tankers is much easier, at least physically.
Next, let’s remember the possibility of distance learning provided by Internet access. Talking to your family is great in itself, but you can also improve your skills while flying. Even if you are satisfied with everything on LPG/LNG ships, several successfully completed courses will help you get a salary increase on your next voyage.
Finally, last but not least, the point will be honor and respect from other sailors. Even one voyage on a tanker takes a sailor to another league, and for a career, the tanker fleet is a step up compared to dry cargo ships.
Details about the disadvantages
Let's start with the most obvious: the threat to the life and health of a sailor. Of course, the maritime profession itself is dangerous, but natural gas in any condition is a powerful source of danger. Contrary to popular belief, the most common cause of accidents on gas carriers is a technical failure of equipment, and not explosions or fires, as the news would have us believe. In second place, as usual, is the human factor. The only advice that can be given here is to check the year of manufacture of the vessel before sending your resume to crewing vacancies. The newer the ship, the lower the risk.
One cannot discount the high barrier to entry - to work as an officer or mechanic of a gas carrier requires qualifications that cannot be obtained in a day or two and ten euros. Thus, a basic training course in loading operations for both officers and enlisted personnel will take on average 35-40 hours of theory and practice. Add to this certificates of knowledge of specific computer programs that are required for watch duty and reading vector maps - at least 7-8 hours for a beginner. Not everyone wants to invest additional time and money, already having a well-paid profession, and they can be understood.
In addition to high demands on professional skills and abilities, employers unanimously want to see responsible young people without bad habits on their ships. If you have a record of disciplinary problems, you simply will not be accepted onto the tanker. The rules on ships of this class are very strict, because the irresponsible behavior of one person can affect the entire crew.
And for starters, something that crewing agencies don’t often warn about: filling out documents. This requires perseverance and knowledge of technical English. And if for a sailor writing reports is a relatively rare activity, then officers, especially those serving in the engine room, are forced to fill out papers between shifts, explaining every action that goes beyond the scope of the instructions.
