“The sea is yours after you complete your CoC.”
This is not just a motivational line it’s a lived reality by me . My journey, from being a deck cadet to sailing as a Third Officer and switching companies, proves just how open the ocean becomes once you clear your Second Mates and gain that essential experience.
Let me take you through how my story unfolded, and how it might help you, if you’re thinking about switching companies or navigating your post-CoC career path.
The Beginning: Cadetship with Great Eastern
I started my career the way many dream of by securing sponsorship from Great Eastern and completing my cadetship with them and sailing with them. The experience was robust, the training was solid, and it gave me a good foundation to build my career on.
After finishing my sea time of 18 months with GESCO , I cleared my Second Mates (CoC) and officially stepped into the officer ranks. Now came the real test getting that first contract as an officer.
The Application Hustle: CVs, Sea-job & Offers
I didn’t sit back and waited for miracles as gesco was having waiting period. I updated my Sea-job profile, sent CV to every relevant company – Anglo Eastern, Synergy, Fleet, MOL and more.
Soon enough, Synergy came up with an offer. Around the same time, MOL also approached me but they were offering a RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessel with a lower stipend, and I didn’t want to compromise on either time or pay.
Fleet offered me something much better good stipend, quicker joining, and the vessel type aligned with my preferences. So I took it
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Sailing & Reapplying: The Big Jackpot
I completed my first sail with Fleet Management with a great amount of salary , gained valuable experience, and after sign-off, updated my Sea-job profile again.
Offers started coming once more. But this time, something unexpected happened.
Chellaram Shipping, a reputed Singapore-based company with a great bulk carrier fleet, reached out. The offer was tempting a solid salary package, reputed vessels, and a long-term career prospect.
I appeared for their interview, and cleared it. But then came the catch with a issue they required a US visa.
I didn’t have one at that moment. I was ready to let go but coincidentally, Fleet called me again and allotted the second ship, and I committed to them immediately because I didn’t wanted to wait and wanted to join ship in few days.
The very next day, Chellaram came back :
“Don’t worry about the US visa. We’ll process it. You can still join.”
But by then, I had already given my word to Fleet, and I chose to stand by my commitment.
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Lesson 1 :
The moment you get that CoC + Officer experience, companies chase you not the other way around.
Lesson 2 :
The sea is full of second chances. Don’t panic. Don’t rush. Play it smart.
Final Thoughts: To Every Aspiring Deck Cadet Out There
If you’re still waiting for your ship, or worried about which company to join or thinking you have joined a wrong company .
Here’s my advice:
Don’t overthink. Just get sponsored. Complete cadetship. Clear your CoC.
That’s the real door. After that, the world opens up.
Switching companies post-CoC is not just possible it’s easy if you’ve built experience and stayed honest in your work.
The sea is wide, and so are your options.
Shoaib Ali
Founder, IMUMATE
Merchant Navy Officer | Mentor
