What is the Sea Ranger Bootcamp?

The Sea Ranger Bootcamp is a unique opportunity for young people between 18 and 29 years old to challenge themselves and further their personal development. Afterwards, you could be selected for a paid job as a Sea Ranger, where you will work to protect the sea and gain work experience on our sailing work ship. As a new Sea Ranger you will work with us for 6 months, from the Port Talbot area, monitoring and protecting the marine environment.

What will I learn?

Sport

An important part of the Bootcamp program is exercise. The work of a Sea Ranger can be physically challenging. Being fit is useful!

Grow

Personal development and growth are a priority during the Bootcamp. After participating in the Sea Ranger Bootcamp you will feel stronger. A lot of attention is paid to developing your self-confidence and recognising and pushing your own boundaries.

Team

As a Sea Ranger you work in a team, and that team must be well coordinated. How do you listen to each other and work together successfully? What role do you take in the group? To discover this, there is a great emphasis on team building activities during the Bootcamp.

Adventure

As a Sea Ranger you work at sea or on land in various places in Europe. It is therefore nice if you like a bit of adventure. The boot camp takes place at a secret location in the Netherlands where you can find out how adventurous you are!

What to expect at the Sea Ranger Bootcamp

The program lasts 9 days and you will stay with us for the entire period. We provide clothing, food and accommodation, and there is space for a maximum of 30 participants. The program is led by former military personnel, in addition, a coach is involved to conduct personal conversations.

Everything else is a secret for now, but if you like teamwork, self-development, adventure and a challenge you certainly won’t be disappointed!

Hear from past participants

“Tough but super educational, I have gained a lot of self confidence, discipline, perseverance and success!”

Juliette van Overbeek

A very educational Bootcamp where you can discover who you really are, what you can do, where you can grow and what you really want. You will do things you never imagined.”

Ramona Berthold

“Besides the physical and mental challenges, which I really enjoyed, the bootcamp has given me thorough insights in who I am as a person, what I have to offer and what I look for in the things I do.”

Thierry van Veggel

At first I saw the Bootcamp as a selection process, more like a hazing process. The Bootcamp was far from that. During the week I learned a lot about myself, I got to meet a lot of nice people.”

Maud Mulder

I was a little bit lost. I wanted to do this Bootcamp to rediscover who I am. This was perfect because you had to do a lot of tasks and deal with people. You evaluate everything, with each other and with your team leader. As a result, you get to know your characteristics so that you are able to develop quickly.”

Vera Hoogenberg

“It was tough but extremely cool. Not knowing what to expect was something I wasn’t used to at all and, although I sometimes struggled, it was a nice way to get out of my comfort zone. “

Isaak Stoel

who can join?

Anyone between the ages of 18 and 29 can participate in the Bootcamp, regardless of previous education, gender identity or cultural background. In particular, you must be motivated, enjoy a bit of adventure, and of course be fit and healthy. The Bootcamp will be physically and mentally challenging, and you will be trained to push your limits. We do a lot of exercises around and in the water, so it is important for your safety that you can swim.

Frequently asked questions

  • Do you have a question that is not listed below?

    Then send us a WhatsApp at 07770922672, or email us at [email protected]. We are happy to help!

  • How much does the Sea Ranger Bootcamp cost?

    There are no costs for participants to take part in the Sea Ranger Bootcamp. If you are selected as a Sea Ranger you will have to do a medical assessment to be able to work on our ship. Cost for a ENG1 medical is £115.

    If you need financial support to finance the medical examination, you can indicate this with us once you are selected.

  • Which dates should I keep available for the selection procedure and the Bootcamp?

    January 10, 2024 – registration for Sea Ranger Bootcamp opens

    • February 3, 2024 – Open day Port Talbot
    • February 4, 2024 – Open day Neath
    • February 11, 2024 – Registration deadline
    • February 18, 2024 – Selection day
    • February 20, 2024 – Announcement of selected participants for Bootcamp
    • March 1 to 9, 2024 – Sea Ranger Bootcamp
    • March 12, 2024 – Announcement of selected Sea Rangers & reserves
    • March 14, 2024 – Sailing day in The Netherlands. Please note, this is weather dependant so date is flexible.
    • April 15 to October 31, 2024 – Sea Rangers in service with Sea Ranger Service 
  • What will you learn in the Bootcamp?

    During the Bootcamp you will learn:

    ✓ Effective communication
    ✓ How to find your role in a team
    ✓ Collaboration
    ✓ Leadership skills
    ✓ Recognising your own strengths
    ✓ Pushing your limits
    ✓ Perseverance

  • Why is the Bootcamp organised?

    The Bootcamp has two goals:

    1. Selecting 8 Sea Rangers who will work for us for 6 months.
    2. Self-development of motivated young people on a physical and mental level
  • Am I suitable for the Bootcamp?

    Anyone between the ages of 18 and 29 can participate in the Bootcamp, regardless of previous education, gender identity or cultural background. In particular, you must be motivated, enjoy a bit of adventure, and of course be fit and healthy. The Bootcamp will be physically and mentally challenging, and you will be trained to push your limits.

    The conditions for participation at a glance:
    ✓ On the start date of the Bootcamp you are between 18 years and 29 years
    ✓ You are able to do physical exercises and jog for 20 minutes
    ✓ You have at least a vocational working and thinking level (no diploma required)
    You can swim at least 100 meters continuously in the same stroke
    ✓ You speak and write English well
    ✓ You have a valid UK passport or identity card 

  • Can you only participate in the Sea Ranger Bootcamp if you want to become a Sea Ranger?

    You are not obliged to become a Sea Ranger after the Bootcamp. Therefore you can participate in the Bootcamp if you only want to follow the training course and develop yourself.

  • What does the selection procedure look like?

    If you meet the conditions for participation, you can take part in our selection day. You will be sent an online ability test that should be done at home before the selection day. During the selection day, you will take a sports test, a team building assignment, and an informative interview. After the selection day, we make a choice about who can participate in the Bootcamp program. There is room for a maximum of 30 participants.

    If you are unable to participate in the selection day, you no longer have a chance to be selected for participation in the Bootcamp. After the bootcamp, 8 participants will be selected to become a Sea Ranger.

  • I don’t have access to a computer/wifi for the online ability test needed before the selection day. What can I do?

    This is not a problem! We will provide the facilities for you to do the test during the selection day if you are having trouble with finding a computer or stable wifi. Please let us know if this is the case so we can set up a time when you can do this during the selection day.

  • How can I best prepare for the Sea Ranger Bootcamp?

    Think in advance about why you want to participate and what you want to get out of it for yourself. You can also prepare for the selection day in terms of fitness!

  • Do I automatically become a Sea Ranger after Bootcamp?

    No, 8 of the maximum 30 participants of the Bootcamp will be selected as Sea Rangers. They will be employed full time by the Sea Ranger Service for 6 months.

    After the Bootcamp, we select 8 Sea Rangers who will work with us for 6 months. We are not looking for ‘perfect’ candidates, we do not select based on criteria such as the fastest or strongest candidate. We are looking for those participants who can get the most out of our programme. We support participants in their personal development so that they can better prepare for their future. There are a number of different things we look at in the selection of Sea Rangers:

    ✓ Your motivation and perseverance

    ✓ The development you undergo during the Bootcamp program 

    ✓ To what extent we as an organisation can contribute to your personal development as a participant

    ✓ Whether there is a match with the qualities that suit the role of Sea Ranger: integrity, collaboration, stress resistance, sense of responsibility, learning ability, flexibility

    ✓ How you fit within the team (we are looking for a team with a variety of backgrounds and team roles)

    ✓ You are physically able to perform the work of a Sea Ranger

    ✓ You have at least a vocational working and thinking level

  • What does a day at the Bootcamp look like and where exactly is it?

    During the Bootcamp you will be involved in physical training every day, alternating with all kinds of group assignments and other activities. We eat together, there is attention for personal conversations and time for reflection. In the Bootcamp, many different types of activities follow each other in rapid succession. Due to the different activities, parts of the Bootcamp may take place at different locations. The main location of the Bootcamp is on a site somewhere in the UK: the exact location remains a secret until participants are selected.

    The Sea Ranger Bootcamp lasts 9 days and you will stay with us for the entire period. We provide clothing, food and shelter. There is room at the Bootcamp for a maximum of 30 participants. The programme is led by former military personnel. In addition, a Trust Officer is involved to conduct personal conversations.

    Sports – An important part of the Bootcamp program is sports. Working as a Sea Ranger can be physically challenging. Being fit is so useful!

    Personal development – ​​After participating in the Sea Ranger Bootcamp you will feel stronger. Personal development and growth are a priority during the Bootcamp. A lot of attention is paid to developing your self confidence and recognising and pushing your own boundaries.

    Team building – Sea Rangers must be well attuned to each other. How do you listen to each other and work together optimally? To discover this, there is a great emphasis on team building.

  • Is there a job guarantee?

    There is no job guarantee. After the Sea Ranger Bootcamp, 8 participants will be selected and hired as Sea Rangers. The other participants will be challenged in all kinds of ways during the Bootcamp and develop on a personal level.

  • Is the Bootcamp full time or can I go home in the evening?

    For the Bootcamp programme on land, you will stay with us for 9 days and you cannot go home in the evenings. It is not possible to combine participation in the Bootcamp with a job or study from which you cannot get time off. So you must be free from other obligations for a total of 9 days in order to participate.

  • Can I keep my phone with me during the Bootcamp?

    The use of your mobile phone is limited and you cannot keep your phone with you all the time.

  • What about smoking, jewellery and piercings during the Bootcamp?

    There is no smoking during the Bootcamp. For your own safety, it is not permitted to wear piercings or jewellery.

  • What will you do as a Sea Ranger?

    Sea Rangers work on nature conservation on land and at sea. Their tasks and assignments involve observational surveying and conducting research. For example, Sea Rangers have measured water quality, surveyed seagrass and used drones to see if cargo ships are polluting the sea. The Sea Rangers actively work on and for the sea.

  • How long and where do you work as a Sea Ranger?

    If you are selected for a paid job as one of the 8 Sea Rangers after the Bootcamp, you will work full-time with us for 6 months. You will work for two weeks in a row, alternating with two weeks at home.

  • What do you earn as a Sea Ranger?

    As a Sea Ranger you earn a monthly salary. The Sea Ranger salary for 2024 is £1,859 pounds (before taxes) per month, based on a full time 37,5 hour work week. Next to that, you will receive the following employment benefits:

    ✓ 8% holiday allowance

    ✓ Travel allowance for traveling to work by public transport

    ✓ A room to sleep onboard and food during the watch when you are working

  • Are there any health issues that would exclude me from joining the Sea Ranger Bootcamp?

    Unfortunately due to the risks involved in working on a  sailing vessel, there are some health issues that prevent some people from working in this kind of job. Therefore we also don’t allow people to join the Bootcamp if they have these health issues. The following is a list of health issues that prevent you from joining the Bootcamp…

    • Coronary thrombosis (heart attack)
    • Problems with heart rhythm
    • Some forms of heart surgery
    • Diseases of the heart or arteries
    • Lung disease causing shortness of breath
    • Diabetes treated with insulin
    • Stroke
    • Unexplained loss of consciousness
    • Epilepsy
    • Severe head injury or major brain surgery
    • Treatment for a mental or nervous problem
    • Alcohol or drug addiction problems
    • Severe deafness or difficulty communicating by radio/telephone
    • Eyesight or colour vision that does not meet standards
    • Transplants of kidney, heart etc; joint replacements; limb prostheses
    • Other conditions which can lead to sudden incapacity
    • Other conditions which put you at increased risk of becoming ill while in charge of the vessel/remote from assistance
    • Conditions which limit mobility and stamina both under normal and emergency conditions
    • Medication which has side effects which reduce performance or alertness or which can cause complications while in charge of the vessel
  • Do I need a passport to become a Sea Ranger?

    Yes, due to regulations when working offshore you need to have a valid passport. If you don’t have one, and the cost is prohibitive, please let us know as we can help with this.

  • Do I need to have any previous sailing experience to become a Sea Ranger?

    No, you don’t need any previous sailing experience to become a Sea Ranger. You can learn all you need to know on the job.

    We will take selected candidates out for a day on our ship after the Bootcamp to make sure no one gets too sea sick before fully committing to becoming a Sea Ranger.



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