The Road to the Bridge: How Much Time and Money Does It Take to Become a Deep Sea Captain?

Hey there, ambitious ones! Every cadet secretly dreams of wearing four stripes and sitting in the Master's chair. It seems simple: high salary, respect, just sit back and drink coffee. But the path is a long marathon. Let's do the real math.

To get your Captain's diploma (Master Unlimited), you need specialized higher maritime education. Next comes building your sea time: a minimum of 12 months as a cadet/deckhand for a Third Officer diploma, then 12–18 months as a watch officer for a Chief Officer diploma, and another 24–36 months as chief to get approval for Captain. On average, the journey from cadet to master takes 10–15 years. And don't forget about ongoing courses (management of large vessels, ECDIS, ARPA, BTM), medical exams, and tests at port authorities.

Experienced masters, tell the younger generation: at what age did you get your first promotion to captain? Do you regret the years you spent, or was it worth it?