Working on a cargo ship

[tsabary]

I hope I'm in the right forum, I'f not please direct me ro the right one.

Tomorrow I'm taking off to start a long trip, for almost three years (if everything goes as planned of course).

As part of my trip I would love to work on a cargo ship for passage (from South America to Europe). So I wanted to know how do I get to do this? Should I apply from advance? Or can I just go to the peer and ask around (maybe I've seen to many movies..). What should I have with me in order to join a ship (ENG1 and such).

Any help would be highly appriciated !

[David M]

There are a lot of different credentials that you might be required to have depending on the country of registry and your job onboard. The best thing is to call a number of carriers and ask how they hire and the hiring requirements.

[transformer]

Originally Posted by tsabary

As part of my trip I would love to work on a cargo ship for passage (from South America to Europe). So I wanted to know how do I get to do this?

All seafarers must be medically certificated to work at sea before they can be allowed to work on ships plus basic fire fighting, elementary first aid, personal survival techniques and seaman's book. without this you can not (legally) set a foot on any ship as a seafarer even as a deck boy or mess boy.

[belizesailor]

As pointed out working aboard a ship these days requires paperwork, but some do accept passengers too...interesting way to travel.