17 Seafarer Interview Questions and Answers

The sea has been a source of inspiration, trade, and exploration since the beginning of time. Even in the modern age, when air travel is the preferred method of long-distance transport, the shipping industry still moves a large percentage of the world’s goods. And while the technology used by seafarers has changed dramatically over the years, the need for skilled workers has not.

If you’re looking for a job on a ship, you’ll need to be able to answer some difficult questions during your interview. Seafarer interview questions will focus on your experience, technical skills, and ability to work well under pressure. You’ll also need to be able to demonstrate your knowledge of maritime law, safety procedures, and the proper way to operate shipboard equipment.

Not sure where to start? Climbtheladder has put together a guide to some of the most common seafarer interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working in a high-pressure environment?

Working as a seafarer can be stressful at times. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with the pressure that comes with working in such an environment. When answering, explain how you handle stress and give examples of past experiences where you’ve done so successfully.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in high-pressure environments. In my last position, I was responsible for loading cargo onto ships. One day, there were several trucks backed up waiting to unload their goods. This caused a backup of other trucks trying to get into the port. It became quite hectic, but I managed to keep everything organized and on schedule. We got all the trucks unloaded before our departure time.”

What are your qualifications as a seafarer?

This question is a great way for an interviewer to learn more about your experience as a seafarer. You can answer this question by listing the certifications and licenses you have that allow you to work on ships. If you don’t have any, you can talk about how you’ve gained valuable skills through your previous jobs.

Example: “I am a certified first-aid responder, which allows me to administer medical care in emergency situations. I also hold a license to operate all types of machinery on board a ship, including cranes, winches and generators. In addition, I have completed training courses in firefighting and rescue operations.”

How would you handle a situation where you need to discipline a fellow crew member?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your leadership skills and ability to resolve conflict. In your answer, try to show that you can be firm but fair when disciplining others.

Example: “I would first make sure I have all the facts about what happened before talking with the crew member. Then, I would explain why their behavior was unacceptable and give them an opportunity to tell me their side of the story. If they are receptive to my feedback, I will work with them to develop a plan for improvement. If they are uncooperative or disrespectful, I will take appropriate disciplinary action.”

What is your experience with cargo handling?

Cargo handling is a major part of being a seafarer. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the experience needed for the job. In your answer, share what cargo you handled in previous jobs and how you did it. If you don’t have any experience with cargo handling, explain that you are willing to learn.

Example: “In my last position as a deckhand, I was responsible for loading and unloading cargo from the ship. I would use cranes to lift the cargo onto the ship and then lower it into place. It’s important to be careful when lifting heavy objects because they can fall or cause injury if not done properly. To ensure safety, I always made sure to follow all company policies.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “In my previous role as a customer service representative for an electronics company, I had a client who was upset because they didn’t receive their product in time for Christmas. The client was very rude on the phone, but I remained calm and explained that we were experiencing delays with our shipping department. I offered to send them a new product at no cost or give them a refund if they preferred. They agreed to wait until after Christmas for the replacement product.”

If you were the captain of a ship and a member of your crew was not performing well, what would you do?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to resolve the issue and improve performance.

Example: “If I were the captain of a ship and one of my crew members was not performing well, I would first meet with them in private to discuss their performance. If they are aware of the problem but unable to fix it, I would offer additional training or resources to help them improve. If they do not improve after these measures, I would consider removing them from the position.”

What would you do if you noticed a safety hazard on the ship you were working on?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are committed to the safety of your fellow seafarers. They want to know that you will report any hazards and take action to fix them. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to address the hazard. Show that you value the safety of everyone on board by explaining how important it is to you as well.

Example: “If I noticed a safety hazard, I would first try to find out who was in charge of fixing it. If there wasn’t anyone in charge, I would speak with my supervisor about it. I would let them know that I saw something unsafe and needed help addressing it. After speaking with my supervisor, I would work with other crew members to come up with a solution for the problem.”

How well can you navigate using a sextant?

This question is a test of your navigational skills. Employers ask this question to see if you have the necessary skills to complete the job duties. In your answer, explain how you use a sextant and what type of software or tools you use to help you navigate.

Example: “I am very familiar with using a sextant. I learned how to use one in my training program. However, I also know that modern technology can be more accurate than a sextant. So, I always use GPS when I’m on deck. When I’m below deck, I use a combination of maps and charts along with a compass.”

Do you have experience working with hazardous materials?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with working in dangerous conditions. If you have worked with hazardous materials, describe what they were and how you handled them. If you haven’t worked with hazardous materials, you can talk about a time when you had to work under pressure or perform well in an emergency situation.

Example: “I’ve never worked with hazardous materials, but I do have experience working in high-pressure situations. In my last position as a deckhand on a fishing boat, we lost our nets while out at sea. We had to quickly repair the net before returning to port so that we could unload our catch. It was challenging to complete this task while still maintaining safety precautions, but we managed to get it done.”

When is the best time to perform maintenance on a ship?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your organizational skills and attention to detail. Use your answer to highlight your ability to plan ahead and prioritize tasks.

Example: “The best time to perform maintenance on a ship is when the vessel is in port. This way, I can ensure that all crew members are safe from any equipment or machinery that’s being repaired. In my last role as a seafarer, I noticed that some of our equipment was starting to wear down while we were at sea. So, I scheduled a maintenance day for when we returned to port so that I could repair everything before we left again.”

We want to improve our customer service. Tell me about your experience in this area.

Customer service is an important part of working as a seafarer. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience in customer service and how you can improve their company’s current practices. In your answer, explain what you would do to improve the company’s customer service. Think about some specific ideas you have for improving customer service at the company.

Example: “I think it’s important to treat customers with respect. I always try to be friendly when talking to customers on the phone or in person. When I worked at my last job, we had a lot of customers who called in asking questions about our products. I volunteered to work the phones during busy hours so that other employees could focus on filling orders. This helped me learn more about our products and gave me more confidence answering questions from customers.”

Describe your experience with using boats to search for people who are in distress at sea.

This question is a great way to assess your experience with emergency situations and how you handle them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the specific steps you took when responding to an emergency call.

Example: “When I was working as a deckhand on a fishing boat, we received a distress signal from another vessel that had lost power. We immediately began searching for the vessel using our binoculars and radar equipment. After locating the vessel, we sent out a lifeboat to help tow them back to shore. The entire process took about two hours.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this position. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any transferable skills or certifications you have.

Example: “I am passionate about working in the shipping industry because I love being at sea. In my previous role as a deckhand, I learned how to navigate through rough waters and work with a team to ensure the safety of everyone onboard. My communication skills are excellent, which is why I am able to relay important information to crew members and passengers alike. I also understand the importance of following protocol when it comes to security measures.”

Which of our company values do you most relate to?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your personality and values. They want to know if you share their company’s beliefs, so they can determine whether you would be a good fit for the position. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you understand the company’s values and how they align with your own.

Example: “I most relate to our company value of teamwork. I’ve always been someone who works well in groups, and I believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute. In my last role, I was part of a team that worked together to solve problems and find solutions. I think that working as part of a team is an essential part of being a seafarer.”

What do you think are the most important skills for a seafarer to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills they are looking for in a seafarer. Use your answer to highlight any skills that you feel are important and how those skills helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “I think communication is one of the most important skills for a seafarer to have because it allows them to relay information to their crew members, other shipmates and even port officials. I also think problem-solving skills are essential because they allow me to find solutions to issues on board or at sea. In my last role as a deckhand, I was able to use both of these skills when we encountered rough weather during our voyage. I relayed instructions from the captain to the rest of the crew and used my problem-solving skills to come up with a solution to keep everyone safe.”

How often do you perform routine checks on the ship’s engines?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of seafaring procedures. Use examples from past experiences to show the interviewer that you are familiar with these checks and can perform them on your own.

Example: “I usually perform routine checks on the engines every two weeks, but I also check in with my supervisor or captain if there is something unusual about the engine’s performance. For example, last year when I was working as an engineer for a shipping company, we had a problem with one of our engines because it wasn’t getting enough fuel. We were able to fix the issue before it became more serious, which helped us avoid any delays.”

There is a conflict between two members of your crew. How do you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your conflict resolution skills. It’s important for seafarers to be able to resolve conflicts between crew members and other stakeholders on board, such as customers or suppliers.

Example: “I would first make sure that both parties are safe and not in danger of hurting themselves or others. Then I would listen carefully to each party’s side of the story. If one party seems more credible than the other, I will give them the benefit of the doubt. After listening to both sides, I will try to find a solution that works for everyone. If there is no way to reach a compromise, I will have to take disciplinary action.”