Igor · Ukraine
From a jewellery business in Kyiv to crab fishing in Norway
An economist by training, Igor had built a career in the jewellery business in Kyiv until, in 2022, he had to emigrate. In Norway he discovered work on crab fishing boats, rebuilt everything he was sending to employers, gathered his documents over a few months and left for the boat a day after getting his contract.
1 / 7 · Before “I built a career in the jewellery business”
My name is Igor, I'm from Ukraine, and I'm an economist by training. Before Norway I lived in Kyiv, where I built a career in the jewellery business. I earned quite well, enough for a normal life and for travelling. On top of that, I worked a little in diving and spearfishing.
2 / 7 · Why I wanted a change “In 2022 I had to emigrate, and life took a new turn”
In 2022 I had to emigrate, and life took a new turn. I ended up in Norway, and the first thing I did was look for a way to find work.
That's how I learned about working on crab fishing boats. On Instagram I came across people who had already worked at sea.
3 / 7 · What did not work on my own “At first I thought it was all simple”
The hardest part was finding direct contacts with employers. At first I thought it was all simple: send a CV and a cover letter and get a contract. Reality turned out to be different.
My CV was rough and didn't stand out in any way. A single round of emails wasn't enough: they ended up in spam, or simply went unanswered.
Then there was the language barrier, which was especially hard to get past. Employers often replied in Norwegian, and I couldn't always understand. I switched to English, but even there you had to argue well why you, of all people, were the best candidate.
4 / 7 · What helped me “When the course came out, I bought it straight away”
One of the people I found on Instagram was Alexei. He explained how everything works in an interesting, easy-to-follow way. I started asking him questions, and he guided me and pointed me in the right direction. When the course came out, I bought it straight away, because I realised this was my chance.
“I had to redo everything, taking a whole lot of small details into account.”
I had to redo everything, taking a whole lot of small details into account. Then came the documents: a BankID, a registered address, a tax card, a basic safety course and a Helseattest certificate. All of it took a few months.
When everything was ready, I got the contract and had to leave the very next day. I packed my bags, wrapped up my affairs and set off.
5 / 7 · What changed “Working at sea has given me more than I expected”
Working at sea has given me more than I expected. I started earning more, gained confidence and saw new prospects open up. My contract was for three months, and earnings depended on the catch.
I spend my money on a decent life for myself and my family. We travel a lot, and I can afford many things. My physical condition has improved too: working with the traps is, in fact, the best exercise machine there is.
I like this rhythm: you work three or four months, then live well for eight or nine. My relatives worry, but they support me, and after the trip we rest together and travel a lot.
6 / 7 · The hard part “The first shift was total chaos”
I thought it would be hard, and it turned out even harder, but also more interesting. The first shift was total chaos: everything is new, everything moves very fast, you don't understand what to do, but you gradually get the hang of it. What I remember most is the moment when everything had to be thrown quickly, put together and the traps set. That's when I understood what a real pace is.
We work on a system of six hours on watch, six hours of sleep, round and round. My shift started with six hours of work, then a meal and five hours of sleep, and when you woke up you went straight back on shift. The main part is working the traps on deck and the crab in the factory. On land you do your job and go home; here you are at work 24/7.
You work, eat and sleep side by side with the same people, so there's no need for conflict: do your job and respect the others. The first days were a hellish physical effort and my whole body hurt, but it adapted quickly. Seasickness got me for a single day, and the main thing is to eat even when you feel sick. You can go without a connection for a long time, but you get used to that too.
7 / 7 · My advice to you “Don't listen to those who will try to talk you out of it”
I'd tell a newcomer just one thing: don't listen to those who will try to talk you out of it. Go all the way, even if it seems you won't make it. The main thing is not to give up.
I also thought at first that it was simple, and then I had to redo everything and gather my documents. It took a few months, but working at sea has given me more than I expected.
Igor
three-month contract on a crab fishing boat, Norway
