Peter · Ukraine
From a ship electrician diploma in Odessa to working on a fishing vessel
Peter grew up in Ukraine in a family of seafarers and earned a ship electrician diploma in Odessa. When he learned that Norway would require him to prove that qualification, he turned to fishing instead, and after thousands of resumes, an ad Alexey Matkovsky pointed him to got him on board.
1 / 7 · Before “I have three brothers, and they all work at sea”
I grew up in Ukraine, in a family where the seafaring profession was always part of life. I have three brothers, and they all work at sea. Watching them, I realized that working on a ship is not just a job, but a chance to build a career and secure your independence.
In Odessa, I took courses and additional practical training and earned a ship electrician diploma. Independence is valued in our family, so I knew from the start that I would follow my own path.
2 / 7 · Why I wanted a change “The sea is more than just water and ships”
The sea is more than just water and ships, or so I've always felt. It's a special world, with its own atmosphere and its own rules. When I decided to try for a job in the maritime field, I had no idea how passionate about it I would become.
But as it turned out, Norwegian standards are much higher, and to work in my specialty there you have to prove your qualifications. So I chose another direction and became interested in fishing in Norway.
3 / 7 · What did not work on my own “I sent thousands of resumes but received few responses”
The job search was not easy. I sent thousands of resumes but received few responses. The road into this profession was hard, but every step made me want to become a seafarer more and more.
4 / 7 · What helped me “Thanks to this ad, I found my current job”
Everything changed thanks to Alexey Matkovsky, the founder of FishingWay. He helped me write my resume properly and gave me vessel contacts. Then he advised me to pay attention to one of the ads in a Facebook group. Thanks to this ad, I found my current job.
“I was able to take my first steps in this profession and see that my efforts were worth it.”
The employer urgently needed someone. A month after I sent my resume, I got a call inviting me to the ship. Everything was organized: my tickets were sent to me, and a company representative met me at the airport and took me straight to the dock. The next day I was already on board.
5 / 7 · What changed “This profession has given me stability and the ability to support my family”
Working at sea is radically different from life on land. The schedule is convenient: one month of work and one month of rest, so there is room for a personal life too. In our free time we socialized, watched movies and played sports. I even started learning Norwegian, attending classes five days a week.
There is a sense of unity on the ship: we worked as a team, helped each other and shared our experience. The work is well paid: in Norway, the minimum rate for seafarers is about 2400 kroner a day, lower for beginners, but it rises with experience. Working at sea has opened new horizons for me. This profession has given me stability and the ability to support my family.
I want to continue my career at sea, and perhaps try my luck on other ships.
6 / 7 · The hard part “Any mistake can lead to serious consequences”
Working at sea requires attention and following the safety rules. On the ship we were taught safety techniques and how to act in emergencies. Any mistake can lead to serious consequences. Once I almost got injured while watching an elevator in operation, and it reminded me that safety always comes first.
Seasickness was also part of adapting. In the first days I was seasick, but my body adjusted quickly and soon I no longer felt uncomfortable. The main thing is to keep a positive attitude and follow the advice of more experienced colleagues.
There were upsetting moments too, like cigarette butts being thrown into the sea. I tried to explain to my colleagues why ecology matters, but it didn't always resonate.
7 / 7 · My advice to you “The sea is not just a job; it's a lifestyle that changes you”
Working at sea is a challenge that requires discipline, responsibility and a willingness to learn. If you dream of a career at sea, start by learning English and improving your physical condition. Norwegian helps too, because different ships require different languages.
Thanks to FishingWay and Alexey Matkovsky's support, I was able to take my first steps in this profession and see that my efforts were worth it. I am 100% confident in my future career in fishing, simply because Alexey is the best mentor, motivator and expert in this niche.
The sea is not just a job; it's a lifestyle that changes you. This was the beginning of a new chapter for me, and I look forward to what the future will bring.
Peter
first steps as a seafarer on a fishing vessel
