The Demands of 24/7 Working in the Maritime Industry

Continuing with our educational series on what is it like to work in a ship management company, we now tackle the subject of required availability, inherent to some of the positions within the company.

Mihkel Vokk, our most seasoned (and highly appreciated among our sea-going personnel) Crew Manager, sheds some light on how does it feel to be available for his subjects 24/7, what kind of person it takes and why is it important.

Sounds exhausting? Not at all, if you are like Mihkel. Or Martin. Or Irina. Or Sergei.

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In the maritime realm, the concept of 24/7 working carries an unique significance. To shed light on this topic, we turn to an experienced crew manager Mihkel, who shares insights into the challenges and demands associated with round-the-clock availability in the maritime world.

To begin with, it's important to clarify that 24/7 working does not imply constant active engagement.

“Being available 24/7 does not mean that you have to sit behind the computer 24/7”, says Mihkel. Instead, it entails responding to an issue quickly and finding the best possible solution either during working hours or outside of working hours. “

The vessels are working 24/7, there is a crew on board and things happen all the time”, says Mihkel. In the context of people changes and working with seafarers across the globe, he often deals with different complex situations. When there is a crew change happening during the weekend, it is of utmost importance that the situations are dealt with immediately when they arise.

While 24/7 working does not require actively working around the clock, there are times when it becomes unavoidable. “If I don’t react or do respond to calls, then it might happen that the person is stuck at the vessel or, in the worst case scenario, they have to sit on an airport bench for the whole night”, says Mihkel. Vessels operate continuously, and unforeseen circumstances involving crew members are common, in addition other unexpected events often require immediate attention. Timely communication is crucial to inform relevant parties and mitigate potential problems. Delays in relaying information can lead to team members being stranded or missing important connections, which may have serious consequences.

In addition to the immediate challenges, there is an inherent lack of relaxation in a 24/7 work schedule. It becomes challenging to truly unwind or detach oneself from work. Balancing work and personal life becomes a significant struggle, as the need to be available at all times takes a toll on balance between work and quality time with family. While some individuals may find it difficult to cope with the demands of 24/7 availability, Mihkel acknowledges that not everyone is suited for this type of work. It requires a mindset akin to that of a firefighter, always ready to respond to emergencies. The constant need to be available without respite can be mentally and physically exhausting.

Despite the hardships of working around the clock, Mihkel has found a way to make this lifestyle work out for him.

“You have to set the boundaries yourself and make sure you keep up with them”, says Mihkel.

Learning to switch off and prioritize personal well-being is crucial for maintaining sanity in the face of unrelenting availability. “Captains working on weekends usually don’t think about the fact that even if they are working, then I am not”, says Mihkel. While the maritime industry is highly regulated, there are no specific regulations explicitly defining the need for 24/7 availability. However, it has become an industry norm to ensure efficient operations and effective communication.

In conclusion, 24/7 working is an integral part of the maritime industry due to the constant operational demands of vessels and the need for uninterrupted communication. “Usually when somebody needs something, they already needed it yesterday”, says Mihkel. As one can imagine, this kind of lifestyle requires individuals to strike a balance between work and personal life while ensuring their availability to address emergencies and provide support. Like any other position, the crew manager position has its own advantages and disadvantages, but it all comes down to the person’s attitude and strength of finding the golden mean in the 24/7 way of working.

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