Facebook-obsessed millennials rejecting lucrative maritime careers - as just 36pc of ships have internet access
The Egyptian Gamal Abdl "Nasser" Mistral class ship leaves the harbour of Saint-Nazaire, western France Credit: JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD
Katie Morley, Consumer Affairs Editor
21 June 2016 • 12:01am
Katie Morley
Britain is facing a "huge shortfall" of sailors as the maritime industry is struggling to recruit young people, as data shows 64pc of ships do not have internet for personal use by staff.
Maritime experts said youngsters, who are used to being plugged into social media and having access to smartphones, would rather sit in centrally-heated offices or work in shops than leave their comfort zone and brave the elements.
Despite most ships failing to give staff access to the worldwide web, the figures, from data provider Future Notics, shows they may be about to modernize. It found 92pc of maritime employers believe getting the internet is a crucial step needed to recruit new staff.
There is a current global shortfall of about 16,500 officers in the maritime industry, but a need for an additional 147,500 officers by 2025 to service the world merchant fleet.
A spokesman for the UK Chamber of Shipping, said: "Millennials coming through definitely have a certain expectation that they need to be connected to the internet, and employers are starting to recognise this.
The Merchant Navy
Another reason for the falling number of young sailors, according to maritime charity, Seafarers UK, are "ignorant" careers advisers who are failing to direct pupils towards potentially lucrative careers in the maritime industry.
Just one in fifty youngsters are ever given any information about maritime jobs at schools and colleges, it said, as most teachers were generally unaware of the industry.
Commodore Barry Bryant, Director General at Seafarer UK, said: "Most people - and teachers - are ignorant about our industry because these days ports are private so you don't see ships come and go."
The UK maritime industry boosts the British economy by £11 billion a year and supports more than 113,000 jobs.
Tom Crichton, associate head of the School of Marine Science and Engineering at Plymouth University, said: "There is generally - and has been for a number of years - a lack of awareness in schools and with careers people of the opportunities for work at sea.
"It's an ageing demographic and you are going to have a generation which will retire. The average age of seafarers is 41. That is a problem for the future which needs to be addressed."
Around 70,000 people in the UK currently work at sea, including in the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and fishing fleets.
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