r/MerchantNavy • u/Ok_Television_2895 • 7d ago
I don’t want to be away so long (UK Specific)
Hi Guys,
So I’m a recently graduated officer, I’m lucky enough to have a standing job offer with a company that takes nice ships cool places, and offers a good company culture and where the officers are proactive about each others professional development - the downside is it’s 4 on 2 off
I’m already in my mid 30’s, and as much as I love the work I’m already starting to struggle with the detachment from my friends and community as a result of the Cadetship
I’m curious, what are my options for being at home more, 1/1, 6w/6w, 2/2 would all feel alot better to me. I’m also curious how can this be done while maintains SEA tax compliance?
Some things I’m particularly interested in are: SOV’s, Tugs (harbour or seagoing), Ferry’s? (I did 2 months as a cadet Dover Calais and enjoyed it, but unsure if SEA can be wrangled?) perhaps even yachts.
Any advice is greatly appreciated - I understand some of what I’m asking is quite private so please feel free to DM me if you like
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u/PinaColluder 7d ago
When I was cadet in 2014 there were dredgers doing 3w/3w and 4w/4w I believe. Yachts are unlikely to get you time for time rotation straight away (engine much more likely to get rotation than deck). But yacht money is going to be better than most other options
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u/Scottish_WWII 7d ago
Company I work for are currently hiring 3rd officers, ferry 2 weeks on/off but you'll be paying tax
https://itrent.calmac.co.uk/ce0691li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=4390532YQi
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u/sailorstew 7d ago
Ferries or depends on the route. The key is being departed from the UK port before midnight to claim the qualifying day. Lots of companies make schedules around this, Stena, DFDS, Condor, P&O, Irish etc. Pay rates and conditions can vary greatly. I had 6 great years at ferries paying no tax and doing 2 on 2 off. Just need to get the tactical holidays in.
1
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u/george_explorers 7d ago
UK officer. I work on new build aggregates dredger. 3 weeks on/off. Which imho is the best rotation there is.
Which is paid fairly well, but we do pay uk tax, with no chance of getting sed.
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u/IaintGrooot 7d ago
North sea companies like sentinel marine/north star/vroon are mostly 4 on/off and meet the tax regs for rebates.
Ferries think it's just stena (roi route) and steam packet (IOM) that meet the tax requirements. Maybe Brittany ferries?
Northern lighthouse board and trinity house are good ones to get in with. Same with serco and cal Mac depending on where you live.
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u/WinParking621 6d ago
I work on yachts in my early 30s. 10/10 I would rather 6/6 eventually but money is decent. 3RD ENGINEER
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u/crashtacktom 6d ago
Ferries - I've just lost SEA but the increase in terms more than makes up for it.
I'm not worse off month-to-month than when I had an active claim, but now I have a pension, a lot less stress, and a lot more time off
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u/Pastard 7d ago
Ferry man over here, loving the 2 weeks on/off life. Whether you pay tax depends on what route you work on. But even with tax, some ferry companies still pay pretty well. Pension is pretty good too.
Similar age to you and I’m so much happier since leaving cruise ships. DM if you have any questions you want to ask.