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

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

To get a Captain's diploma (Master Unlimited), you need specialized higher maritime education. Next comes collecting sea time: a minimum of 12 months as a cadet/deckhand for a 3rd Officer diploma, then 12–18 months as a watch officer for a Chief Officer diploma, and another 24–36 months as chief to get approved for Captain. On average, the path from cadet to master takes 10–15 years. And don't forget about ongoing courses (large vessel management, ECDIS, ARPA, BTM), medical examinations, and exams at the port authority.

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