Captain, Nah, Captain?!
Bremerhaven - Captain, Nah, Captain...
Cruising the day away through Bremerhaven's harbor areas at the helm of the stunning "Lady Sunshine", sharing fascinating tales about the seaside city to guests on harbor tours, and then retreating to a cozy home every evening. Sounds like a dream employment – but why isn't this job on anyone's radar?
No Takers
Our long-standing captain retired last year, and ever since, shipowner Maice Hissenkämper (58) has been scouring the market for a successor without luck. Her shipping company, HaRuFa, has yet to see a single application – which means no more classic harbor tours through Bremerhaven's bustling fishing port.

Hissenkämper: "I can't fathom why. In the last two to three years, it's become progressively harder to fill such roles – this phenomenon even extends to companies running ferries."
A Winning Proposal
The job aboard the "Lady Sunshine" (can accommodate up to 100 passengers) is a true gem: five-day week, working hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., permanent position, and remuneration commensurate with the industry – let's not forget the exceptional atmosphere and fantastic colleagues, too.

Sebastian Gregorius (59) from the Fischereihafen-Betriebsgesellschaft shares his enthusiasm for the job: "It ventures through what is arguably the coolest commercial area out there, beginning in the historic part of the fishing port and proceeding past sites such as the Thünen Institute, the Bredo shipyard, the world's largest wind turbine, and the world's largest fish factory, and culminating in a tour of the inland port."
The qualifications required for the new captain are a minimum A-patent for inland navigation.

Set to Launch on March 1, 2024
The first excursions each lasting around an hour are scheduled to commence on March 1, 2024, whose cessation is slated for October 30. Should the absence of tours occur during this period – a risk that does not seem imminent – the vessel's maintenance and care will be the main focus of the captain's attention.
This enticing proposal would not seem half-bad, would it? Intrigued candidates can contact the fishing port operating company.
Perhaps one day soon, "Captain, Nah, Captain" will transform to "Captain, Yes, Captain".
- Despite its allure, the captain vacancy aboard "Lady Sunshine" in Bremerhaven remains unfilled due to a lack of applicants, per reports from regional Bremen news.
- Following the 2021 retirement of their long-serving captain, Maice Hissenkämper has been tirelessly scouring the industry for a suitable successor, to no avail, as her HaRuFa shipping company continues to lack suitable candidates for the Ports of Bremen.
- The "Lady Sunshine" (accommodating up to 100 passengers) presents a captivating employment proposition, featuring a five-day workweek, standard commensurate remuneration, a permanent position, and an insightful tour through Bremerhaven's historically significant fishing port with notable sights, such as the Thünen Institute, Bredo shipyard, and the world's largest wind turbine.
- A minimum A-patent for inland navigation is the entry requirement for the new captain, and candidates eager to learn more about the forthcoming scheduled tours, set to commence on March 1, 2024, at the Ports of Bremen, are invited to reach out to the fish port operating company.
Original Source:
Enrichment Insights:
- The reasons for the scarcity of applicants for this position may be rooting in factors beyond the job's benefits. Some of these circumstances may include:
a) Competition in the Maritime Industry: The maritime industry is enormously competitive with an abundance of qualified candidates for captain positions, making it challenging for the "Lady Sunshine" to entice top talent.
b) Location and Market Conditions: Bremerhaven, while a remarkable seaport, may not be as enticing to some candidates as other destinations boasting more prominent marine industries or better employment possibilities. The requirements and needs of the port might also impact the pool of available candidates.
c) Qualifications and Certification Requirements: The "Lady Sunshine" boasts an A-patent for inland waterway navigation as its minimum requirement. The scarcity of qualified candidates might be attributable to the demanding certifications and time investments needed to obtain these qualifications.
d) Work-Life Balance and Long-Term Commitment: While a five-day workweek is appealing, the obligatory commitment required for a permanent role could deter some candidates seeking flexible and shorter term opportunities. The unique tour of Bremerhaven's harbor areas might not be sufficient to off-set this commitment.
e) Industry Trends and Preferences: Given that the maritime industry is evolving, some candidates may be drawn to roles that spotlight modern technologies, improved working conditions, and opportunities for career advancement.
f) Recruitment Strategies: The success of the recruitment strategies employed by the "Lady Sunshine" could play an essential role in attracting candidates. If the job is not propriety advertised or the recruitment process is inadequately organized, it might limit the candidate pool.
g) Cultural and Personal Factors: Personal and cultural factors can also contribute to job decisions. Some candidates might prefer working in different environments or have family duties that make it difficult for them to relocate or commit to a permanent position in Bremerhaven.
To address these situational obstacles, the "Lady Sunshine" may want to consider strategizing ways to fortify its recruitment strategies, supplementing benefit offerings, or honing in on candidates specifically interested in working in a more unique maritime setting.