Day of the Seafarer 2026: Paul’s Journey

As part of Day of the Seafarer 2026, we’re celebrating the people behind global trade by sharing the stories of those building their careers at sea. Paul Samways is an apprentice working towards his Master 500 Certificate of Competency at Fleetwood Nautical Campus, while currently working as a Mate on crew transfer vessels in the offshore wind sector with Turner Iceni.

With five years of maritime experience, Paul’s career has already taken him to some of the most unique and demanding environments in the world. A standout moment was serving as a station leader for the British Antarctic Survey, where he demonstrated leadership and adaptability in one of the most challenging settings on the planet.

Now, through his apprenticeship, Paul is focused on progressing his career further and developing the skills required to take command at sea.

“I wanted to develop my skills further and take on more responsibility at sea.”

The reality of life at sea

While a career at sea offers opportunity and progression, Paul highlights that it also comes with challenges that aren’t always visible.

“Balancing time at sea with a family is the most challenging for me.”

Working on offshore vessels can also present less obvious challenges. Long shifts on workboats can be more sedentary than people expect, making it difficult to maintain physical fitness during a 14-day rotation.

“Finding time to exercise properly can be tricky and takes an extra level of discipline.”

Looking ahead

As he continues his journey, Paul hopes to develop a broader understanding of vessel command across a range of operational scenarios.

He also highlights an area where the industry could better support seafarers in the future - through improved digital tools.

“A secure, all-in-one app to store certificates, track sea time and keep up to date with regulations would make a big difference.”

Advice for future seafarers

For anyone considering a career at sea, Paul’s advice is simple:

“If it feels right - go for it. Work hard and enjoy it.”

Recognising seafarers worldwide

Day of the Seafarer is a reminder of the vital role seafarers play in keeping global trade moving. Behind everything we rely on are skilled professionals working at sea, often far from home.

Today, we recognise and celebrate their dedication, resilience, and the impact they make worldwide.