10 Things No One Tells You Before Your First Ship Assignment

Starting your first ship assignment can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. Whether you’re starting a brand-new career at sea or transitioning from another job, this video will prepare you for exactly what life will be like on your first ship assignment.

As someone who’s been a Merchant Mariner for over six years, I’ve lived the highs and lows of ship life from traveling internationally to sharing rooms with strangers, working long hours, and learning hard lessons along the way. My goal with this video is to help you avoid the mistakes I made and set you up for success before you even step on board.

This is more than just a checklist. These are real-life tips that will help you mentally prepare, navigate shared spaces, understand ship safety, handle your pay, and maintain a strong reputation that will carry you throughout your entire maritime career.

Watch until the end to get the knowledge I wish I had when I was just starting out. Your first impression at sea matters and these 10 things will help you make it count.

💡What You’ll Learn in This Video

✅ Be Mentally Prepared for a Whole New World
Ship life isn’t like anything you’ve experienced before. You live where you work, eat, and sleep. Learn how to prepare your mind for this unique lifestyle.

✅ Shared Living Spaces
Most new mariners share a room and bathroom with someone they’ve never met. I’ll explain how to handle this gracefully and keep the peace.

✅ Learn the Chain of Command
Knowing who’s in charge and how to communicate properly prevents conflict and keeps the ship running smoothly.

✅ Pay Attention During Orientation
The first day sets the tone for your entire assignment. Orientation teaches vital safety and ship information pay attention!

✅ Safety Comes Before Everything
Fire drills, lifeboat stations, and emergency protocols aren’t optional. Safety is the top priority for every mariner.

✅ Expect Long Hours and Hard Work
This career is rewarding but demanding. I’ll share how to stay physically strong and mentally focused through long shifts.

✅ Meals and Food Choices
What to expect in the galley and tips for those with allergies or dietary needs.

✅ Payroll and Questions About Your Pay
How to track your hours, sea time, and pay and who to talk to if there’s a problem.

✅ Respect and Professionalism
The maritime world is small. Build your reputation wisely by staying respectful, humble, and hardworking.

✅ Prepare Your Home Life Before You Leave
Take care of your personal responsibilities before boarding so you can focus completely while at sea.

Why This Video Matters

Your first ship assignment is more than just a job. It’s the foundation of your entire maritime career. How you show up, how you handle challenges, and how you prepare will determine your success.
I created this video to give you the tools and confidence to not just survive but thrive.

If you want to dive even deeper, my Mariner Hustle eBook series breaks down everything you need to know about getting started and advancing as a Merchant Mariner.

📘 Get your copy here: payhip.com/b/DzfVy

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