Viking Helps Ocean Officers Transition to River Cruising

Viking is encouraging experienced ocean-going officers to move into the company’s river cruise operations through its recertification program.

The recruitment initiative is aimed at second officers and captains with experience working aboard ocean-going vessels who are interested in transferring their skills to Viking’s river fleet.

Candidates who successfully complete the process could find opportunities on some of Europe’s major waterways, including the Rhine and Danube, as well as rivers across France.

While ocean and river navigation have many professional skills in common, operating vessels on inland waterways requires additional expertise and specific qualifications. River officers and captains must handle narrow waterways, fluctuating water levels, locks and bridges. Their work also involves regular docking maneuvers and navigating through heavily populated areas where vessel traffic can be busy and maneuvering space restricted.

Viking’s recertification program is intended to help qualified ocean-going officers build on their existing maritime knowledge while adapting to the particular requirements of inland navigation.

For experienced officers, the initiative offers another potential career path for those who want to continue working in the maritime industry but are interested in a different operating environment.

Life aboard a river cruise ship also differs from ocean cruising in several ways. Vessels obviously remain much closer to land, itineraries typically feature frequent port calls and river ships are considerably smaller than their ocean-going counterparts. Officers may also have more regular interaction with local port authorities and waterway control centers.

By recruiting from the ocean sector, Viking can draw on maritime professionals who already have experience in areas such as bridge procedures, safety management, crew leadership and international vessel operations.

The company is currently promoting officer opportunities on the Rhine and Danube and across France. The recruitment drive is taking place alongside a broader campaign to hire hospitality employees for Viking’s ocean-going ships.