Investing and Building Passive Income While Working at Sea
Life at sea is a whirlwind—long shifts, time zones blurring together, and the steady hum of waves in the background. But amid all this, there’s a question that keeps coming up: What happens after this chapter ends?
Most of us save diligently, maybe even stash away chunks of our salaries in a bank. But here’s the hard truth: saving alone won’t make your money grow. Did you know that inflation quietly eats into your savings at an average rate of 2–3% annually? It’s like pouring water into a leaky bucket—it never stays full.
That’s why investing and passive income matter, even if you’re new to the idea. I get it, though. Investing sounds intimidating. Charts? Markets? Dividends? You’d rather just buy another bottle of duty-free cologne.
But trust me, it’s easier than it looks. With a few simple steps and some beginner-friendly options, you can turn your hard-earned dollars into something that works for you, even while you’re out at sea.
Let’s break it down so you can start building financial security today.
Why Crew Members Should Consider Investing and Passive Income
When I first heard about investing and passive income, my initial reaction was, "That's for rich people, not me." I didn’t have a clue what terms like “compound interest” or “dividends” meant, and the idea of growing money without working for it felt suspicious—like one of those dodgy schemes my overly enthusiastic Facebook friend is always promoting. But then I had an epiphany: if I kept relying solely on my ship salary, I’d always be tied to contracts. That realisation got me thinking differently.
Unique Perks of Being a Crew Member
As crew members, we’re in a unique position. Our work-life balance might be strange (who else works 12 hours a day for months at a time?), but we have one big advantage: we can save a lot. With food, accommodation, and even entertainment provided onboard, our expenses can be shockingly low.
But saving alone isn’t enough. Inflation, my nemesis, ensures that your hard-earned cash loses value over time if it just sits in a bank account. Investing, on the other hand, helps money grow—even while you’re out at sea, literally disconnected from the world.
Wealth Building for the Long-Term
The earlier you start investing, the more time your money has to grow. This is thanks to something called compound interest—a fancy way of saying your money earns interest, and then that interest earns interest, and so on. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving, except instead of socks, it’s financial freedom. Even small amounts make a difference. If you invest $100 a month for 20 years with a modest return, you’ll end up with a far larger sum than you’d expect.
Passive income takes this a step further. It’s money you earn without actively working for it—think of it as a little financial assistant quietly hustling for you in the background. This could come from dividends, rental income, or even selling an eBook. Imagine sipping coffee in the mess room, knowing you’ve made money while sleeping. Sounds nice, right?
Financial Security Beyond Your Seafaring Career
Here’s what really sealed the deal for me: the future is uncertain. Contracts can be cut short, or you might decide one day that life at sea isn’t for you anymore. Building passive income streams and investing wisely can give you options—whether it’s taking a gap year to travel or starting your own business.
The goal isn’t necessarily to get rich overnight; it’s about creating a safety net and giving yourself freedom.
Common Challenges for Seafarers in Investing
For us crew members, diving into the investing world is not impossible, but there are challenges that make it harder than it is for landlubbers. And if you’ve ever tried to load a banking app with ship Wi-Fi, you know exactly what I mean.
The Internet Issue
Ship Wi-Fi is either non-existent, crawling at snail speed, or ridiculously expensive. This makes staying on top of investments tricky. Researching potential stocks or funds, monitoring market trends, or even updating investment accounts can feel like a logistical nightmare. Internet access is a basic need for investors, but for us, it’s often a luxury.
Not Knowing Where to Start
Then there’s the knowledge gap. Most of us weren’t taught about investing in school, and financial literacy isn’t exactly a pre-departure training module. Understanding what to invest in—be it stocks, index funds, or bonds—can feel overwhelming. Throw in terms like “expense ratios” and “diversification,” and it’s tempting to give up before you start.
Fear of Losing Money
Nobody wants to lose their money, especially when you’ve worked 14 hours on a high seas day. Investing does come with risks, and the fear of making mistakes can be paralysing.
I’ll never forget my first investment—a portfolio of global equities, bonds, and commodities. It tanked due to market correction in August. I was devastated. For weeks, I avoided even looking at my account, convinced I wasn’t cut out for this. But here’s the thing: every investor, even the pros, makes mistakes.
Irregular Pay
Our work contracts make it hard to stick to a consistent investing strategy. One minute you’re flush with pay plus bonus; the next, you’re calculating if you can stretch your savings through a four-month vacation. This makes it easy to fall into the “I’ll start investing next year” trap. Spoiler: next year never comes.
Recognising these challenges is the first step to overcoming them.
Internet issues? Download research materials offline or use apps with auto-invest features so you don’t need constant monitoring.
Knowledge gaps? Start small with beginner-friendly tools like robo-advisors or podcasts.
Fear of losing money? Begin with safer investments like index funds or fixed deposits while you build confidence.
And for irregular income, treat investing like paying a bill—set aside a fixed percentage, even if it’s just 5%, every payday.
These hurdles are frustrating, but they’re not insurmountable. Investing as a seafarer might take some creative problem-solving, but the long-term rewards are well worth the effort.
Beginner-Friendly Investing Options for Crew Members
For us seafarers, the idea of putting our salary somewhere other than a bank can feel alien. What if I pick the wrong thing? What if I lose it all? And the most haunting question of all: Do I even know what I’m doing?
The good news? You don’t need to be a financial wizard to start investing. In fact, many beginner-friendly options are designed for people who have zero experience and very little time—perfect for those of us juggling long shifts and unpredictable schedules.
Index Funds and ETFs
If you’ve ever wished someone would just do the investing for you, index funds and ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) are your best mates. These are like a buffet of investments—you buy one, and you automatically own tiny slices of multiple companies. For example, an S&P 500 index fund invests in the 500 largest companies in the U.S. You’re not betting on one company to succeed; you’re betting on the economy as a whole.
What’s great about these? Low cost and low effort. Plus, they’re diversified, which means you’re not putting all your eggs in one basket. Think of them as the slow cooker of investments: set it and forget it.
Robo-Advisors
For those of us who feel like investing is a foreign language, robo-advisors are a lifesaver. These are online platforms that ask a few questions about your financial goals and risk tolerance, then handle the investing for you.
Platforms like StashAway or Wahed create portfolios tailored to your needs. They rebalance your investments automatically and even help you reinvest dividends. The best part? You don’t have to make big decisions—just check in occasionally to see how things are growing.
Savings Bonds or Fixed Deposits
If you’re risk-averse (read: terrified of losing money), savings bonds and fixed deposits are solid options. These are low-risk investments that promise a fixed return over time. Sure, the returns won’t make you rich overnight, but they’re reliable, and you won’t lose sleep over market fluctuations.
Fixed deposits can be set up with your bank, often with flexible terms. Savings bonds, like those offered by governments, are another safe choice. These options are perfect if you’re just looking to park your money somewhere safer than under your mattress.
Dividend Stocks
When you invest in companies that pay dividends, you earn regular payouts just for owning their shares. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but over time, those dividends can be reinvested to grow your portfolio.
Start with well-known companies with a history of consistent dividend payouts. Research is key here—focus on companies with a strong financial track record and avoid anything that looks too good to be true.
You don’t need thousands of dollars to get started. Some platforms let you invest with as little as $10. The trick is consistency. Even small, regular contributions can grow significantly over time thanks to compounding—the magical process where your investments earn returns, and those returns earn more returns.
Building Passive Income Streams While at Sea
The idea of earning money while taking a break on the deck feels almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? But passive income isn’t just some unicorn dream—it’s a practical, achievable way to ensure your hard work today keeps paying off tomorrow. For crew members like us, with limited time and often unpredictable schedules, passive income can be the financial safety net we didn’t know we needed.
I’ll be honest: starting a passive income stream takes effort upfront. It’s not like flipping a switch and watching money roll in. But once you get the ball rolling, it can hum along in the background while you focus on your day job—or catching up on your sleep after that night shift.
Sell Digital Products
Whether it’s creating an eBook, designing templates, or recording an online course, digital products are a great way to make money from something you already know. For example, if you’ve mastered the art of packing light for a nine-month contract, why not create a guide or packing checklist? Or if you’re an expert on budgeting while at sea, you could design a simple finance tracker and sell it online.
The beauty of digital products is scalability. You create it once, and it can be sold over and over without needing constant updates. Platforms like Gumroad or Etsy make it easy to list your products, even if you’re not a tech wizard.
Start Blogging or Vlogging
Your life at sea is a story worth telling. Whether it’s the unique experiences of working on board, the places you visit, or the quirks of ship life, there’s an audience out there eager to read or watch it. Blogging or vlogging can generate passive income through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing.
Start with what you know—your daily routines, travel tips, or even behind-the-scenes glimpses of ship operations. You don’t need fancy equipment; your smartphone and a decent Wi-Fi connection will do. Monetisation takes time, but the potential to earn while documenting your experiences is well worth the effort.
Remote Freelancing
Okay, so freelancing isn’t entirely passive. But some gigs, like creating designs or writing articles, can feel pretty low-maintenance once you’ve built a routine. Platforms like Fiverr or Upwork let you offer services remotely, whether it’s graphic design, copywriting, or even language tutoring.
The key is to pick gigs that fit into your downtime. If you’ve got a knack for something, use it to earn extra cash while sailing between ports.
Managing Your Finances While at Sea
If you don’t manage your money while at sea, it’s easy to end up with an unpleasant surprise when you finally step ashore.
Don’t worry, though—I’m not here to guilt-trip you about budgeting. Instead, let’s talk about simple, practical ways to manage your finances while you’re working out on the water. No need to make it complicated.
Automate Savings and Investments
The key to consistency is automation. Set up automatic transfers to your savings or investment accounts so you don’t have to think about it. Out of sight, out of mind—but in a good way!
Use Budgeting Apps or Excel
When you’re away for long stretches, it’s easy to lose track of spending. Budgeting apps or even a simple Excel sheet can help you keep tabs. They help you monitor your income, expenses, and savings goals—keeping you accountable.
Build an Emergency Fund
Things happen, especially when you’re between contracts or stuck in an unexpected situation. A well-padded emergency fund gives you the peace of mind to deal with the unexpected, so you’re never caught off guard.
Overcoming Doubts and Staying Motivated
Investing and building passive income can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re new to it. There will be moments of doubt.
“What if I lose money?” Every investment carries some level of risk, but here’s the thing: staying informed and diversifying your portfolio can help minimise potential losses. The key is to make smart decisions, not panic.
“I don’t have enough to invest.” I thought the same thing when I started. But guess what? Even $10 a week adds up. Compound interest is a magical thing—it works better the longer you let it grow.
Celebrate Small Wins. Whether it’s your first $1,000 saved or your first dividend payment, these milestones remind you that you’re on the right path. Every step counts.
Learn Through Experience. Mistakes will happen, but don’t let them hold you back. No one starts as an expert, and it’s all part of the journey!
Summary
Working at sea comes with challenges, but it also opens doors to financial opportunities.
By investing and building passive income, you create a safety net—and more importantly, freedom.
Start small, stay consistent, and don’t let inexperience hold you back. After all, if you can handle life at sea, you can definitely handle making your money work harder.