More reasons to consider a career in shipping

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Long holidays

In most jobs, it is normally only possible to take a maximum of two or three weeks holiday at one time once a year, and total annual holidays are of course far less than you may be used to at college or school.

In shipping, however, seafarers generally enjoy very generous leave or holiday periods (with the cost of return airline flights paid for by the company as an international legal requirement).

Exact terms will vary, but on "short sea" trades a system of one month working followed by one month paid holiday is often applied. On intercontinental or "deep sea" trades, leave periods of several months' duration are not uncommon.

So while seafarers are inevitably away from home for long periods, they also enjoy flexibility to pursue other interests at home, or spend extended periods of time with their families.