The aim of this work was to investigate how it is to move in hierarchy from crew to
officer within the seafaring profession and how to be affected by this. How you are
perceived by the crew when going from to represent a part of a system to represent a
different part of the same system and if you are ready to assume the responsibilities of the
new role entails?
This is relevant and interesting as we will soon is facing at this transition. The work is
based on a qualitative approach. The choice of this method gave the information needed
for a perfect result.
Interviews were conducted through personal meetings with active officers which also
provided the opportunity to ask follow-up questions and the respondents were given the
opportunity to share their experiences. The results showed that the transition from crew to
command seems to be something individual from person to person but consistently has
been the feeling that it is a major challenge of excitement and some nervousness.
The largest portion prior to having been men from before is that it felt familiar with the
safety procedures on board and to have a basic sense of security regarding departures and
mooring, loading and unloading.
Most felt that it was difficult to give orders to his old sailor colleagues but afterwards it felt
more natural.