Valentin · Ukraine
From logistics manager to working on a crab fishing vessel in Norway
Valentin, originally from Ukraine, worked in the food industry in Sweden, where he became a logistics manager, and then at MOVI in Norway. Financial problems led him to the crab fishing boats: with Alexei helping him sort out the paperwork and his own serious preparation, he got a job on a vessel, and he has now started his own employment project in Sweden and Norway.
1 / 7 · Before “Severe financial problems pushed me to look for something more”
I am originally from Ukraine and studied at Mykolaiv Agrarian University. Before the sea, I worked in the food industry in Sweden, where I ended my career as a logistics manager, and then at MOVI in Norway.
Severe financial problems pushed me to look for something more, even though the average income allowed me to live.
2 / 7 · Why I wanted a change “I was motivated by my love for fishing and my desire to earn good money”
I found out about working on crab fishing boats from the internet. Since I was already in Norway, I decided to give it a try. I was motivated by my love for fishing and my desire to earn good money.
Already being in Norway turned out to matter a lot. No one opens visas, so that was where I had to start from.
3 / 7 · What did not work on my own “Almost no one answered the phone, and emails were rarely picked up”
It wasn't easy to get a job on a vessel. Almost no one answered the phone, and emails were rarely picked up. Most employers were looking for young, experienced, communicative and physically strong people. On top of that, to be hired I needed medical and SOLAS certificates.
4 / 7 · What helped me “Thanks to his support, I managed to get a job”
That's when I contacted Alexei, and he helped me sort out the paperwork. He helped me obtain an STCW certificate remotely and book an appointment with an accredited doctor for the medical commission.
“I prepared seriously: I ran 10 kilometers a day, exercised, and prepared mentally.”
Then he connected me with employers, gave me vessel contacts and possible vacancies, prepared my CV and prepared me for the interview. And he motivated me. Thanks to his support, I managed to get a job, and I am very grateful to him.
My part was the preparation. I was about to go to sea for the first time, so I prepared seriously: I ran 10 kilometers a day, exercised, and prepared mentally. I am a person of character and motivation.
5 / 7 · What changed “Now I have started my own employment project in Sweden and Norway”
On the vessel, I worked both in the factory, manually processing up to 4–5 tons of crab a day, and on deck. A regular workday is 12 hours, in two 6-hour blocks, and a trip lasts about 35 days.
Income ranges from 5–6 thousand to 20 thousand euros, and on other vessels it can be even higher. It all depends on the catch, the prices, the size of the crabs and other factors. Career growth is possible if you work well and show leadership qualities.
Now I have started my own employment project in Sweden and Norway. And I intend to keep working at sea for as long as possible, because the money is motivating.
6 / 7 · The hard part “I realized it was only temporary, and I endured”
When I started working on the vessel, the emotions were overwhelming. I love fishing and the sea, but now I realize it's not about romance, it's about hard work. It was difficult to get used to such a pace and volume of work, and there are some things I don't even want to remember.
This job is very dangerous, and I have been in situations that put life or health at risk. Heavy swaying, arm pain from overexertion, bandages and painkillers all became commonplace. No one gives you sick leave. I had seasickness too, but I didn't take pills, I just kept working.
The sleeping quarters are not very comfortable, there's a lot of rocking, and sometimes it's hard to sleep; we lived two to a cabin. The food, though, is good: the cook makes tasty dishes, with meat, fruit and vegetables. The hardest part was the constant rocking, the cold and being far from my family. But I realized it was only temporary, and I endured.
7 / 7 · My advice to you “Team spirit is extremely important”
To work on a vessel, in my opinion, physical endurance, stress resistance, team spirit and discipline are essential. Team spirit is extremely important: everyone on the team must be united. The crew is split into a factory part and a deck part, 20 people or more on average, and you must listen to your superiors: the deck boss, the factory boss, the floorman and the captain.
Prepare seriously, physically and mentally, before you go to sea. And remember that the support of family and friends is very important: when I come back from a trip, I try to spend as much time as possible with my family and children.
Valentin
crab fishing vessel in Norway and his own employment project
