Like most Niagara residents, Vincent Giannopoulos cursed a bit when he came across a raised bridge along the Welland Canal.

But one day the Port Colborne native saw those raised bridges and ships passing by as a career opportunity.

"I got on the ships at 21," said Giannopoulos, who now works for the Seafarers' International Union (SIU) of Canada inspecting foreign-flagged vessels when they arrive in Canada.

Giannopoulos said being on board vessels in the Great Lakes allowed him to visit "cool spots" that most people don't visit.

"People will go to Toronto, New York City or Chicago. One day I'd be in Green Bay, the next in Milwaukee, then Chicago and Sandusky. I got to see so much of North America," he said.

This Sunday in St. Catharines, Giannopoulos will encourage young Niagarans to look at working on ships as a career as he, James Given, president of the Seafarers' Training Institute and the Seafarers' International Union of Canada, and Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey kick off the Be a Seafarer recruitment campaign.

The initiative is a partnership between SIU of Canada, and Canada's major marine shipping companies, Canada Steamship Lines, St. Catharines-based Algoma Central Corp. and Groupe Desgagn�s.

Giannopoulos said there's an urgent need to hire 300 new seafarers, as well as an ongoing need to fill positions of an aging workforce, as almost 20 per cent of SIU members will retire within the next five years.

He said the median age for those on board vessels in the Great Lakes is in the 50s, and that people are retiring faster than they can be replaced.

"It's such a good opportunity to get out and see a bit of the world, especially for a young person finishing high school."

With starting salaries of $60,000, a pension and benefits, and vacation time of between three and five months depending on the season, it's a career that can't be beaten he said.

And it's virtually no risk for those who decide they want a career on the water as qualified recruits will receive a paid education, skills upgrading and free room and board through the SIU's unlicensed apprenticeship program at the Seafarers' Training Institute in Maryland.

"It's the best seafaring training institute in North America."

Giannopoulos said those who attend Sunday's session can apply right away, and said a valid Canadian passport is needed. A marine medical exam, which runs about $120, is also required before being accepted.

"It's a pretty simple medical test . they'll look at things like whether you're colour blind or not. If you're colour blind you can't be a wheelsman because you can't tell the difference between red and green buoys."

He said the only thing that will be asked of those who go through the apprenticeship program is that they stick it out in the industry for at least five years. But, he added, if after the first few months recruits decide being on the Great Lakes is not for them, they won't be asked to pay anything back.

The Be a Seafarer recruitment campaign runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, June 24 at St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre, 1932 Welland Canals Parkway, St. Catharines.

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Nathaniel.Johnson@niagaradailies.com

905-684-7251 | @DaveJTheTrib