Testimonials

Our Coming Ashore programme is catered for you, whether you are looking to move your maritime career ashore or mentor a seafarer during this process. We can help reassure you that you have made the right decision coming to us.

There is no better evidence to prove the programmes success than the words of our very own mentees and mentors, who have experienced firsthand what the programme can do for them. Whether it is furthering a mentee's professional devlopment or enhancing a mentor's coaching skills.

Here are some comments we have recieved about the programme so far:

Mentees

James Naidoo (Coming Ashore mentee)

"I was paired with Mr Blum, who had a wealth of experience in the shoreside sector in which I wished to gain future employment - Dry-Bulk Commerical sector. Mr Blum, imparted some very valuable knowledge, which I took heed of, when reaching out to prospective employers. I was pleased to be offered employment for my intended role, within 3 weeks of embarking on the programme.

Once settled in the new role, I will study for ICS membership and continue to make use of Mr Blum's kind offer of continued mentorship."

- Matt Gormley (Coming Ashore mentee)

"In late June I reached out to the Marine Society to join their Coming Ashore Programme, a scheme that is free to join and assigns a mentor (for me it was Paul Naranjo-Shepherd)to offer guidance and support in the challenge of finding the right shore-based position for you. In only a few months after joining, I had secured multiple interviews and had the necessary assistance in preparing for them in the right ways, from people that have years of experience in the industry. Everyone I have spoken to was friendly, engaging and keen to share their knowledge which I am extremely grateful for.

If anyone else find themselves in the same position that I was in, not really knowing how to move forward in their career in the maritime industry without going back to sea, I would highly recommend looking up the Marine Society Coming Ashore Programme."

- Peter Lewis (Coming Ashore mentee)

"I found the programme very helpful! My mentor, Simon, was very accomodating and knowledgeable, in particular he did a good review of my CV with suggestions for improvement and also helped me summarise my varied work history including agency work into a helpful work appendix which i could attach to my CV. He also regularly contacted me with job opportunities that he thought I was suitable for."

- Gerard Miller (Coming Ashore mentee)

"Joining the Marine Societies ship to shore program is probably one of the most advantageous decisions I have ever made. I wanted a move ashore to be closer to my family and start a new challenge. Being a seafarer from leaving School meant that I was safe in the comfort of what I knew, ships and the sea. Having a mentor allowed me to broaden my horizon and explore new opportunities. Being given the tools to enable me to improve my CV and carry out training online is brilliant and was an absolute game changer for me. I have to say having an impartial mentor there every step of the way, makes a massive positive difference to the journey. I am still at the start of my work going from Chief officer to Marine surveyor. My aspiration for the future is to continue to learn lots more about shipping and maritime operations. Something that will undoubtedly happen in my new role."

- Joe Mattock (Coming Ashore Mentee)

Mentors

"Coming ashore is a leap into the dark for most of us. It certainly was for me. It feels like there are jobs and opportunities out there but you have no access to them, nor much of an idea where or what they are.

The Marine Society's Coming Ashore program solves this problem but connecting those coming ashore to those who have already made the transition. That way, those coming ashore have the support, contacts and mentoring necessary to make their move ashore a great success"

- Paul Naranjo-Shepherd (Coming Ashore mentor)

As a mentor with the Coming Ashore project, I have been working with some great seafarers pondering their career paths. They are still loving the sea, but open to set a course for their career ahead. As part of that, I have been asked about my career, the choices I made and the chances I took...or even those I decided against.

One of the first discussions in my mentoring meetings has been about the path I have taken, what I have learned along it, and whether I would choose the same again. So, while helping others, it has been really useful for me to examine my own progress and route ahead. 

In talking about my career, I have seen that I was fortunate in unwittingly choosing a growth area and had set about trying to become an "expert" in that. As such, I was able to move into positions based on my growing footprint in a growth business. Always handy! So, I advise choosing an area of the industry or an issue that is genuinely of interests, and which mentees feel a sense of growth and potential.

- Steven Jones (Coming Ashore mentor)