Travel by cargo ship - anyone done it?
- Thread starter Brainaddict
- Start date
firky said:
Oi! Less of that.
I would imagine that if you were a good social photographer and set yourself up with printing and presentation gear you could make a fortune as a ship photographer. It would help if you had the right sales skills also, but that captive market all on your door step.
I've seen some dodgy deals like the one you mention, but there are others that employ on a much fairer basis. Some even supply all the equipment.
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
I can imagine that its for people who cant fly/won't fly and need to get about?
I can't imagine that being on such a long journey would be that great overall. I reckon the reality is a lot less romantic than the idea. Oily smelly cargo ships aren't very romantic are they. What if you got sick? Perhaps thats why the cost is so high?
I can't imagine that being on such a long journey would be that great overall. I reckon the reality is a lot less romantic than the idea. Oily smelly cargo ships aren't very romantic are they. What if you got sick? Perhaps thats why the cost is so high?
maes
hello i was gone and now am somewhat back
There's a thread about this that I started about a year ago.
Basically while I'd still love to do it it's either incredibly expensive or incredibly dangerous (more so for a girl - crew rapes not uncommon). Increased legislation means that you need to be insured, so it's hard to blag your way onto a ship - you can get past that by being personally invited by the captain, but that's no walk in the park either. I've got a book on it you can borrow if you like.
Basically while I'd still love to do it it's either incredibly expensive or incredibly dangerous (more so for a girl - crew rapes not uncommon). Increased legislation means that you need to be insured, so it's hard to blag your way onto a ship - you can get past that by being personally invited by the captain, but that's no walk in the park either. I've got a book on it you can borrow if you like.
pogofish
Testicle Hairstyle
Looked at this too what with me being a third of your age. You have to:
Pay a deposit of a few grand.
Provide your own gear, lighting etc.
Have at least three suits
Also expect a criminal record check & drug tests from most if not all agents & if they find the slightest thing, no work. Which can be to a thankless schedule. Or a 6-12 month deferrment.
Nearly all of it goes through agencies these days as well, even for the bigger lines & yes, they look for folk to start young. Early-mid 20s ideally.
pogofish
Testicle Hairstyle
Known a couple of folk who have done this - you need to be able to keep-up with the round of shipboard activities & be able to turn-out the work bang on time, every time, plus running the shipboard shop. You won't make your fortune but you can do very well from it - tho partly this is because you are on the ship, with nowhere to spend your money (crew don't get the same access to shipboard entertainment as passengers)
They also look for people who will sign-on for a set contract period. One season initially, then 3 years is not uncommon. Few sign for further contracts. Bail-out before your contract is up or get sent home from any cruise for being involved in any misdameanour (your fault or not) & you are unlikely to get any work onboard again.
The guys I've known to do this & do well have been from family-biz/apprenticed, portrait/wedding/GP photography backgrounds & hard, consistant workers. Looking to put together a stake for starting their own studios.
bubba_jones
Well-Known Member
I used to live in barranquilla, colombia's biggest port. Many of the homeless guys who you saw on the streets were actually from Africa - Tanzania, the ones that I spoke to - who's boat turned up at port, and they were hauled off by the captain and left behind.
