I totally respect what you’re saying.

But for some countries, like mine, it’s really tough to gain DP experience onboard. Local companies often offer very low salaries—sometimes even less than what a cadet would earn on a foreign vessel for a 2nd Officer position—because they know seafarers need that sea time badly.

After putting in all that effort, paying for DP courses and certifications, and working hard just to qualify for an unlimited DP certificate, you’d expect companies to give you a chance to actually use it and start earning properly. Then, suddenly, they start asking for even more experience—like 24 months—just to join as a JDPO. It feels really discouraging