When I was hunting for crew this summer at good wages, it was difficult. It seemed like there was a large Mariner shortage.
Now that I’m hunting for some winter work, I have a different perspective. I think that there are enough mariners available to work, but many companies still have wages that’s are not competitive and/or they have tied themselves up in knots with cumbersome HR processes.
I’m finding more temp work than I can do, a few days here and there. Most of the pay is a bit substandard, but I like the variety. I don’t want to work too much this winter either.
I’m progressing down the HR pipeline for a couple of very good permanent jobs, but most likely I’ll return to my current employer in the spring.
I’ve enjoyed turning down a couple of offers that came after too much HR delay, and I was already committed to someone else.
I really enjoy telling some of the low payers to pound sand! I’m not desperate or destitute. Its bad for the industry for guys to work too cheap.
My advice to employers who see a Mariner shortage is simple:
Raise your old, out of date, low wages, and
When you find a guy that you want to hire, tell HR to get it done immediately before someone else hires him.
Another mistake that companies are making in the current maritime job market (my company has made it too many times) is don’t wait until you desperately need a guy, and then be forced to hire the first warm body that comes along. When you find a good guy, hire him, even if you don’t need him immediately. Put him on the payroll and send him to a boat as an extra hand, then you’ll have him up to speed and ready to go when you need him.