As an able seaman’s daily work directly impacts the lives and livelihoods of their crew mates, how they go about their work is as important as what they do. Safety is paramount in many situations, so a seaman cover letter should convey their approach to their work as well as their previous experience. They need to show that they can be trusted. A series of interviews will be central to making this decision, but the first evidence should be provided in the cover letter.
A seaman's career can contain many unexpected perils, so the seaman cover letter can tell a few of the less common stories from your career and show that you have what it takes when adversity hits. Simply repeating the duties of the role will not impress anyone. Your cover letter should demonstrate adaptability, calmness under pressure, and an iron will to get through even the toughest of situations. Telling the unusual stories shows that you are someone who is ready for the unexpected.
Seaman full text-only cover letter example
Dear Mr. Young,
After nine years working as an able seaman on fishing vessels along North America’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts — interspersed with off-season, on-deck adventures in far-flung locales —I’m seeking a new opportunity to pursue my oceanic passions from a UK home base. This has led me to London Marine Consultants, where it seems my qualifications are exceptionally well-matched to your needs and expectations of a seaman.
Initially learning the ropes as a crew member aboard halibut fishing ships in the Gulf of Alaska, I ultimately became knowledgeable about everything it takes to operate and maintain all of the equipment and machinery required on a fishing vessel fleet.
Shrimp fishing off Newfoundland’s northeast coast and the Scotian shelf, south to Maine, reinforced everything I’d learned on the Pacific side, while toughening me to the challenges of unpredictable storms and water condition changes. Although equipment and techniques varied from one ship to another, the tight organization and teamwork with crewmates was always the same. Whether it was a missing piece of hardware or waterlogged lunch fixings, I acquired a reputation for being a positive and practical solution seeker.
Northern winters sometimes found me enjoying working vacations in Mexico or Costa Rica, with stints on charter sport fishing excursions. On other occasions, I volunteered with marine conservation groups on missions to thwart illegal whaling and shark finning in protected waters. The threat of aggressive resistance, or even arrest for trespassing by shady government officials, was omnipresent.
My familiarity with modern technology is second to none, having worked on boats with the latest installations to improve our operation. It was partly to my credit that new safety equipment was adopted to reduce minor accidents and injuries by 75%.
In ship captain support roles, I have extensive navigation experience and have logged hundreds of hours steering a 70-foot fishing vessel, while possessing all required licences.
As I learn more about the mission and operations of London Marine Consultants, new thoughts come to mind about my potential to contribute as a reliable, dedicated seaman with the level of expertise that would benefit your company. I hope we’ll be able to meet soon and discuss this possibility in more detail.
Sincerely,
Ben West
Sections of a seaman cover letter
Every seaman has plenty of stories to tell, but how should you structure the format of the seaman cover letter and which stories can you tell in which parts? Every story needs a compelling beginning, solid middle, and memorable end, and a seaman cover letter is no different. For this reason, how a cover letter is structured is similar for most roles.
Here is a suggested structure for a seaman cover letter:
- Cover letter header. Include your full name, email and mobile; repeat these contact details from the resume. Any maritime captain will put efficiency and simplicity right at the top of their priority list, so keep it simple.
- Greeting. Make sure that you get the title of the hiring manager correct. Check the job description or look on the company website.
- Introduction. Begin the seaman cover letter with the focus that you will bring to the role. Personality is vital when you are out on the high seas,. Let your crew mates know what makes you tick.
- Body. The body of the seaman cover letter is where you expand on your experience and tell a couple of stories that both fit with the role in question and also serve to help you stand out from the competition.
- Conclusion. End with something that will stick in the hiring manager’s mind. Talk about when you encountered an obstacle or solved a problem.
- Signature. Finish with an e-signature and a suitable sign-off such as “yours sincerely.” You may consider an ink signature if you deliver the letter in person.
Every section of your cover letter should contain different parts of your seaman experience.
A one-page cover letter is standard for any industry or function. Being a seaman doesn’t usually involve much writing, so it may take some practice to condense your story into one page.
Need more inspiration? View our other related cover letter examples:
Writing a cover letter is more involved than just telling a couple of your stories. There are more choices to make than you might think. Read our article on how to write a cover letter.
After creating the header and addressing the hiring manager, you should think about the career story that will truly set you apart from your competition. Where do you start?
Introduction of a seaman cover letter
As teamwork is such a key requirement for a seaman, showing that you have years of experience in cooperating with others (in various settings) is a great way to start the letter. Your employer will not be looking for a lone wolf. Include how you have worked with your previous crew mates to do your daily jobs. Don't make your cover letter all about you. How you start a cover letter will set the tone for the rest of your application.
Working with others to solve problems and consistently doing your part in the team should be essential ingredients of any seaman cover letter. Personality fit will play a bigger part in the seaman hiring process as you will be spending a lot of time with your crew mates. Be yourself and you will find a like-minded group of colleagues.
Dear Mr. Tasker,
I am eager to apply for the seaman role, bringing over five years of hands-on experience in maritime operations. My background in navigation, ship maintenance, and safety protocols, coupled with a strong commitment to teamwork and efficiency, aligns perfectly with your company's standards. With a proven track record of reliability and dedication, I am confident in my ability to contribute to the success and safety of your maritime operations.
Hi,
I like going to sea and visiting all the different ports. I enjoy the solitude that life at sea brings. It’s just me, my cabin, and the friendly seabirds. Bliss. I do not get particularly sea sick and am not a fussy eater; galley food is never the best.
Share your passion for your job from those very first few lines.
Dear Mr. Young,
After nine years working as an able seaman on fishing vessels along North America’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts — interspersed with off-season, on-deck adventures in far-flung locales —I’m seeking a new opportunity to pursue my oceanic passions from a UK home base. This has led me to London Marine Consultants, where it seems my qualifications are exceptionally well-matched to your needs and expectations of a seaman.
Seaman cover letter body
Don’t fall into the trap of simply repeating the job description in your seaman cover letter. The middle part of the letter should draw the reader into your story and explain just how you make your unique difference with what you do on the boat. As mentioned earlier, the safety and wellbeing of your crew mates depends on how you do things as well as what you do. Give context to what you share and quantify your exploits wherever possible.
- Your cover letter should complement your resume.
- Focus on your experience, motivations, and how you do your job.
- Be specific about your fit with the role in question. If the job posting mentions specific skills or qualifications that you possess, mention those in your cover letter.
- Conclude with a call to action.
First body paragraph: your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
While a cover letter should be written from a first-person perspective, roles that involve a lot of teamwork should also mention the achievements of those around them in a cover letter. A seaman is a cog in an incredibly slick machine, so when you credit others during your job search, you are tipping your hat to the fact that you are only part of a whole.
- Emphasize your skills. Which skills are called upon most frequently in the role. As mentioned above, be sure to align this with the job description.
- Talk about your behavioral skills. Being a seaman is a role that involves constant communication. How do you handle it when the pressure is on?
Hop onto the website of your future employer. Find out more about them and adapt the language in your cover letter to match theirs, if possible. Think about the type of work you will be doing and demonstrate that you have what it takes.
Second body paragraph(s): alignment with the organization
It might seem obvious, but it is important to mention some of the crucial personal qualities that every seaman should possess, and how your overall personality aligns with the culture of the crew and organization. Maybe delve into your motivations for those long sea voyages or give an insight into your competitive nature. Going to sea is a tough job on many levels, so your future employer will want to know why exactly you do it.
Initially learning the ropes as a crew member aboard halibut fishing ships in the Gulf of Alaska, I ultimately became knowledgeable about everything it takes to operate and maintain all of the equipment and machinery required on a fishing vessel fleet.
Shrimp fishing off Newfoundland’s northeast coast and the Scotian shelf, south to Maine, reinforced everything I’d learned on the Pacific side, while toughening me to the challenges of unpredictable storms and water condition changes. Although equipment and techniques varied from one ship to another, the tight organization and teamwork with crewmates was always the same. Whether it was a missing piece of hardware or waterlogged lunch fixings, I acquired a reputation for being a positive and practical solution seeker.
Northern winters sometimes found me enjoying working vacations in Mexico or Costa Rica, with stints on charter sport fishing excursions. On other occasions, I volunteered with marine conservation groups on missions to thwart illegal whaling and shark finning in protected waters. The threat of aggressive resistance, or even arrest for trespassing by shady government officials, was omnipresent.
My familiarity with modern technology is second to none, having worked on boats with the latest installations to improve our operation. It was partly to my credit that new safety equipment was adopted to reduce minor accidents and injuries by 75%.
In ship captain support roles, I have extensive navigation experience and have logged hundreds of hours steering a 70-foot fishing vessel, while possessing all required licences.
Call to action & conclusion: finish off strong
Sum up your cover letter by reiterating your strongest skills. The last lines of the seaman cover letter should finish on the best possible note. Ask for the interview in a polite and non-presumptuous way. If your application is a good fit, there is nothing wrong with saying that you are looking forward to a potential meeting and learning more about the details of the role.
As I learn more about the mission and operations of London Marine Consultants, new thoughts come to mind about my potential to contribute as a reliable, dedicated seaman with the level of expertise that would benefit your company. I hope we’ll be able to meet soon and discuss this possibility in more detail.
Sincerely,
Ben West
End by signing off with your name. End with something formal along the lines of “Yours sincerely.” Formality should be observed wherever possible.
How to write a seaman cover letter with no experience
There is considerable opportunity to start a career as a seaman with no previous experience. Consider these points:
- Highlight transferable skills. Your seaman cover letter with no experience should cover all the transferable skills that might be considered useful in a seaman career: ability to work with machinery, physical fitness, attention to detail, excellent communication skills, determination to cope with a difficult environment, and an ability to work in a team when under constant pressure.
- Mention certification requirements. If you have endorsements and/or licenses that are required for the role, be sure to include those as well.
- Express your motivation and link to your background. Describe the sort of person that you are and why you see your previous experience as being relevant. You have to show that you understand what the role entails, so don’t be afraid to make some links to what you will be expected to do.
You will not be the only person that is applying with little experience, so don’t be apologetic about it. Use this as an opportunity to describe your fit the role, even without previous experience. These points will help balance out the lack of direct experience in your cover letter and illustrate your potential, giving you the best chance to land the job.
Key takeaways
A seaman cover letter should mention your relevant skills, but it is your personality and motivations that can shine through in your cover letter.
In each section of your cover letter, ensure your passion for the role is evident.
Try our cover letter builder to experiment with the look and content.
