Victor · Cahul, Moldova
From farmer in Moldova to a crab fishing vessel in Norway
Victor, a trained horticultural engineer and former farmer from Cahul, saw a video on TikTok and chose the sea over construction and deliveries. He went through a fish factory and a tough round of paperwork, and Alexei guided him from the paperwork to his first contract; he now works on a crab fishing vessel in Norway.
1 / 7 · Before “That money was not enough to grow my business”
I come from the Republic of Moldova, from the town of Cahul. I'm a horticultural engineer by training, a graduate of the Agrarian University of Moldova. Before I left, I worked back home: I was a farmer, an entrepreneur.
I earned about 1,000 euros a month. That money was not enough to grow my business.
2 / 7 · Why I wanted a change “I was drawn to the chance to try something different”
Everything changed when I saw a video on TikTok. I was drawn to the chance to try something different, not what our people usually do abroad: not construction, not deliveries. The salary played a role too.
3 / 7 · What did not work on my own “You need to prove where you've worked for the past five years, without any gaps”
I started out in a fish factory. It's easier to find a job in a factory than on a vessel, but the pay is much lower. I didn't need any courses: on the first day we had a safety and hygiene briefing, and it was quite straightforward.
The paperwork was harder. I had trouble getting the background check. You need to prove where you've worked for the past five years, without any gaps. On top of that, I needed a criminal record certificate and a medical certificate from a dermatologist confirming no skin diseases and no allergy to fish.
4 / 7 · What helped me “Alexei became my mentor from the very start”
Alexei became my mentor from the very start. He helped me gather the documents I needed to work on the ship and stayed with me at every stage, from registration to my first contract. He was always in touch and answered even questions that weren't part of his job.
“Working at sea takes physical fitness, courage and faith that everything will work out.”
We've known each other for almost two years and still keep in touch, even though we've never met in person. What I paid him was more symbolic compared to how much he really helped. Thanks to his help, I got my first contract.
5 / 7 · What changed “I enjoy working at sea and I see my future in it”
Later I moved to a crab fishing vessel. For now I mostly handle the housekeeping side: we prepare the traps and gear before heading out to sea. On board I joined the factory team and worked cutting crabs, and when there was no work in the factory, I helped my colleagues on deck.
At sea it's very important to stand by your crew. We're like a family: you never know when you'll be the one to make a mistake, so you have to be able to give way and not insist on doing things your way. The company provides everything you need: transport, food, accommodation. You spend nothing except on duty free shopping if you want it, and alcohol is completely banned for the whole contract.
Today my dream is to bring my family to Norway. I hope that next season I'll get a job with a larger company and keep growing. I enjoy working at sea and I see my future in it.
6 / 7 · The hard part “The hardest part is the first week”
Working at sea takes physical fitness, courage and faith that everything will work out. Especially at the beginning, when you're not yet used to the rolling of the ship and the new routine: six hours on, six hours off, over and over. The hardest part is the first week, fighting seasickness.
The difference between a factory on shore and one on a ship is huge. Working on land is a holiday compared to what happens at sea, but the pay there is three times lower. One night stays with me: we came back to port with our first catch, and the warehouse workers refused to unload after 6 PM. We unloaded the crabs ourselves all night, because we had to head back out to sea the next morning.
Of course my family worries, because this job is full of risks. But they support me. And when they see the financial results, they understand why I chose this path.
7 / 7 · My advice to you “Stand by your crew and learn to give way”
If you're thinking about the sea, get your documents ready early, especially the background check: the last five years of work, with no gaps. You'll need physical fitness, courage and faith that everything will work out.
On board, stand by your crew and learn to give way. As for me, I don't intend to stop: I want to try my luck on other vessels too, such as fish or shrimp boats, but only under the Norwegian flag.
Victor
sailor on a crab fishing vessel, Norway
