Latvia has suffered more than most from the economic ravages of the current global recession but its difficulties has lit a light of hope for crew managers as larger numbers of its ex-seafarers are now returning to sea in search of employment.
Crew managers in Cyprus and elsewhere have reported an uptake in interest from officers in this region and many are hopeful that the ex-seafarers can be introduced back onboard ship without the need for massive re-training.
“They were officers who were with us two to three years ago but who decided to return to shore. Now that times are difficult, they are returning to sea which for us represents a welcome increase in potential crew supply,” one told SMI.
One Response to Latvian seafarers returning to sea as recession bites
Regret to say that this information is correct only in regard of ratings. Many of them went ashore over the previous years and were employed in the construction and other fields. The number of officers who settled shore is negligible. Presently in spite of continuing recession the demand for officers with derdicated chemical, product and gas tanker expertience (this is the Latvian ’specialisation’)remains very high, which reflects on the level of offered wages and of course on officers’expectations.