Have you ever considered a career at sea, training as an officer on board a cargo or passenger ship within the global merchant shipping industry? If you want an exciting international career in one of the world's most important and dynamic industries, take a few minutes to explore these topics.

Wages earned by seafarers are normally very generous compared to similar professions ashore. Seagoing officers are assured a very comfortable standard of living, and are usually within the upper income bracket of their national populations.

In Europe, a recently qualified third officer can earn a "take home" salary that is comparable to what many shore-based university graduates might hope to earn in their early 30s.

In developing world countries, ships' officers working on internationally trading ships are amongst the very highest paid in their countries. Opportunities for accumulating savings, even when young, are considerable (unlike most people, officers have relatively few expenses when working at sea as accommodation, travel and food are met by the employer).

The real value of wages may often be substantially greater because they are often tax free. Officers at sea can be promoted rapidly, eventually progressing to Captain or Chief Engineer, with wages matching their responsibilities. Salaries obviously vary according to the country in which you live and the shipping company you work for. Some types of ship require specialised skills for which pay may be higher. More detailed information will be available from national sources.