Do I Need to Be Good at STEM to Work in a Seafarer Job?

If you’re considering a career at sea, you may have wondered whether being good at STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is necessary to become a seafarer. The merchant marines/merchant navy (depending on where in the world you are!) is a highly technical and demanding industry, and many roles onboard require knowledge of subjects that fall under the STEM umbrella.

But do you need to be an expert in these subjects to pursue a maritime career?

The short answer is that it depends on the specific seafarer job you want onboard. While officers and engineers require a strong understanding of STEM, there are also maritime roles where the need for technical knowledge is minimal.

In this blog post, we’re going to break down what STEM is, how it applies to different seafaring careers, and whether you need to excel in these subjects to succeed in a maritime job.

First of all, the basics…

What Is STEM?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These subjects play a significant role in modern industries, including shipping, maritime operations, and offshore energy. Here’s a breakdown of the core STEM disciplines:

• Science – This includes physics, chemistry, and environmental science, which are crucial for understanding how ships operate, how fuel combusts, and how weather conditions affect voyages.
• Technology – Maritime technology includes navigation systems, communication equipment, and automation, all of which are essential to modern shipping.
• Engineering – Ships are complex machines that require knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and marine engineering to function properly. Engineers onboard are responsible for maintaining and repairing machinery.
• Mathematics – From navigation calculations to fuel consumption estimates, math is integral to a ship’s operations. Officers and engineers use formulas and calculations daily to ensure safe and efficient voyages.

While these subjects are essential in some aspects of seafaring, not every seafarer needs to be highly skilled in STEM. The level of knowledge required depends on the maritime career you choose.

And don’t worry, because if the STEM subjects aren’t your strong points, we’ll give you a few options for other seafarer jobs that you could consider pursuing instead.

Careers at sea: seafarer jobs and their STEM requirements

Seafaring careers can be divided into three main departments: the deck department, the engineering department, and the catering/hospitality/stewards department. Each has different requirements when it comes to STEM knowledge.

1. Deck Department (Navigation Officers and Ratings)

The deck department is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship, cargo operations, and maintaining the vessel’s structure and safety equipment.

Deck Officers (Third Officer, Second Officer, Chief Officer, and Captain)

Deck officers require a strong foundation in math and physics. They use these skills for:

Navigation	Plotting courses, using electronic charts, understanding tides and currents
Stability Calculations	Ensuring the vessel remains stable when loading cargo
Weather Monitoring	Understanding meteorological data to plan routes

While you don’t need to be a math genius, you do need to be comfortable working with numbers and understanding concepts like trigonometry, as it applies to celestial navigation.

Able Seamen and Deck Ratings

Ratings in the deck department, such as Able Seamen, Ordinary Seamen, and Bosuns, don’t need an extensive STEM background. They mainly assist with navigation, cargo handling, and ship maintenance. However, some understanding of technology and safety systems is useful.

Read more: What Are Ratings Jobs on Ships?

2. Engineering Department (Marine Engineers and Engine Ratings)

The engineering department is in charge of maintaining the ship’s machinery, from the engines to the electrical systems.

Marine Engineers (Fourth, Third, Second, and Chief Engineers

Marine engineers require the most extensive STEM knowledge, particularly in engineering, physics, and mathematics. They need to:

• Maintain and repair ship engines, generators, and boilers.
• Understand fuel combustion and propulsion mechanics.
• Manage electrical and hydraulic systems.

Engineering officers must have a strong grasp of physics and applied mathematics, as they work with mechanical and electrical systems daily. If you want to become a marine engineer, being comfortable with STEM subjects is a must.

Engine Ratings (Motorman, Oiler, Wiper)

Ratings in the engine department, such as the motorman, oiler and wiper, assist engineers with maintenance tasks but don’t require as much formal STEM knowledge. Basic mechanical and electrical understanding is helpful, but these skills are often learned on the job.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Marine Oiler Jobs

3. Catering and Hospitality/Stewards Department

The catering and hospitality or stewards department includes roles such as ship’s cook, stewards, and catering staff. These positions have minimal STEM requirements compared to the deck and engine departments.

Ship’s Cook and Stewards

While these roles don’t require math, engineering, or science, knowledge of food technology and safety regulations is important. Cooks need to understand nutritional balance, food storage temperatures, and hygiene procedures to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Do you need to be good at STEM to work in a job at sea?

Now that we’ve explored different roles and ranks onboard, let’s address the key question:

• If you want to become a navigation officer or marine engineer, STEM is crucial. You don’t need to be a math or science prodigy, but you should have a solid understanding of applied math and physics. If you struggle with these subjects, you may need to work on improving them before entering maritime training programs.
• If you’re interested in becoming a deck or engine rating, STEM knowledge isn’t as essential. You’ll pick up technical skills through hands-on training and experience. Basic mechanical and problem-solving skills will help but aren’t a strict requirement.
• If you want to work in the catering department, STEM is largely irrelevant. You’ll need food safety knowledge but won’t be required to study math or science extensively.

How to improve your STEM skills for a maritime career at sea

If you’re worried about your ability in STEM but still want to pursue a career at sea, particularly as an officer or engineer, don’t panic as there are ways to improve your skills:

1. Take online courses – Platforms like Khan Academy, Coursera, and Udemy offer free or affordable courses in basic math, physics, and engineering concepts.
2. Use maritime-specific resources – Books and websites dedicated to nautical science, engineering, and navigation can help you understand industry-specific applications of STEM.
3. Seek extra help – If you’re still in school, ask for assistance from teachers in areas like trigonometry, physics, or mechanics. If you’ve graduated, hire a personal tutor.
4. Get hands-on experience – Practical learning is key. Try to gain experience with tools, machinery, or navigation software to build confidence.
5. Join a pre-sea training program – Many maritime academies offer introductory courses that help cadets develop the necessary technical skills before beginning full training.

I suck at STEM! What other maritime jobs can I do?

So you failed the sciences at school and you absolutely hate math. BUT you still want to work in a seafarer job. Here’s a short list of j obs on ships that don’t require strong STEM skills - but we suggest doing your own research as you’re bound to find some more ways to build a maritime career without having to get bogged down in numbers!

We’ve mentioned a couple of these already, but here are some suggestions to get you started:

Ship’s Cook

• Prepares meals for the crew.
• Requires knowledge of food safety and nutrition rather than math or engineering.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Ship’s Cook Jobs

Steward (yacht or cruise ship) or Messman (cargo ship)

• Assists with serving meals, cleaning, and maintaining crew accommodations.
• No technical or mathematical knowledge required.

Ordinary Seaman and Able Seaman

• Performs general deck duties like cleaning, painting, and assisting with mooring.
• Basic seamanship skills are needed, but no advanced STEM knowledge is required.

Bosun

• Supervises deckhands, ordinary and able seaman and assists in maintenance.
• Practical experience is more important than academic knowledge.

Wiper (Engine Room Helper)

• Assists engineers with cleaning and basic maintenance.
• No need for deep technical or mathematical expertise—most skills are learned on the job.

Cruise Ship Staff and Crew

• Jobs on cruise ships encompass everything from entertainer, bar staff, hair stylists, waiters, personal trainers, retail staff, plumbers and carpenters.
• Skills learnt on land that don’t require a shred of STEM can be transferable to a cruise ship job.

These seafarer ranks and roles rely more on physical skills, teamwork, and hands-on experience rather than STEM subjects.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Ship’s Plumber Jobs

Do I need STEM to work on a ship: conclusion

STEM plays a crucial role in many seafaring careers, but its importance depends on the specific role you choose. Deck and engineering officers require strong STEM knowledge, while ratings and catering crew need minimal technical expertise.

If you struggle with math and science but still dream of working at sea, there are many ways to either improve your skills or find a different role that suits you.

Ultimately, a career in one of the many seafarer jobs out there is about adaptability, problem-solving, and hands-on learning. While STEM knowledge can be a valuable tool, dedication, training, and experience are just as important for success in the maritime industry.

Are YOU looking for your next maritime job?

Whether you’re a STEM wizard or you prefer cooking up a storm in the galley, take a look at Martide’s maritime job vacancies and see if we have the ideal seafarer job for you.