Canada Steamship Lines

I start by saying that I worked in the Montreal office. Working on a ship is completely different.

I worked in the Montreal office for almost 5 years, twenty years of experience.

One of my biggest issues was with Management. There were 7 managers between myself and the President of the company. And there were about 200 employees in the office. 

Many of the managers failed upwards. They would fail at a project, but couldn't be fired. So their job would be restructured and they would end up promoted. Many of these people become significant decision makers. So many decisions are made by the people who aren't trusted to do the actual job.

The company itself is setup to be very progressive, however management has broad leeway and punish those who disagree with them. A manager can give you a warning or fire you for things that a demonstribly untrue. This is a killer to team morale.

It feels like a rudderless ship. There are so many people above us that pull us in every direction. We end up with start and stop programming. Because communication is only top down, we cannot get an analysis or even answers to our questions. It makes it impossible to follow any kinds of standards.

And the turnover on my team including consultants was around 150%. So we all spent a significant portion of our year training people. Management seems to think that it's normal, but again it's a killer for morale. And my team of 8 employees had 4 burnouts in 3 years. 

The bright side is that while the pay is not great, the benefits are. Most managers seem to be happy to allow us to change our hours exceptionally. Most of the people are actually nice.

Did a couple contracts on a couple of their bulk carrier ships. First ship I've ever worked on where there is no leadership or direction. Was made to follow a few of the different crewmembers to get familiar with the job. Each with contradicting instructions. Learned very quickly that there is no training or guidance and I am expected to just know. Fundamental lack of leadership and nobody takes accountability . The pay is decent, and the job itself is not hard. But misery loves company, i recommend if you want to work with them, get in, get the money, then get out.

I hold a watchkeeping mate license, but I joined CSL as a bridge watchkeeper since I am new to Canada and the great lakes, so I needed the initial experience.

CSL is a very standard and professional company to work with, the crew and officers are well trained, when they knew I had a Watchkeeping mate license the deck officers helped me and shared knowledge so that I can shape . myself to the new environment.

Would be very Happy if i can work for them in the future.

I have experienced many companies but when it comes to travel to and from the ship, I found CSL is the best, I had an emergency in the past and had to go home all of a sudden, all the arrangements were made by the office staff and did not have to worry about anything relating to my travel from the ship to the airport and home.

The CSL team is awesome. This was my first ever job, and everyone was so incredibly kind and supportive. They went out of their way to make me feel welcome, and when my mom was visiting Canada they even arranged a paid hotel stay for us at Niagara falls as a surprise. I never thought I'd enjoy going to work, but at CSL I looked forward everyday to go to work. 5/5 couldn't have asked for a better place! 

Management was not friendly towards new people coming into the company, felt they were afraid of me taking their jobs. The workplace environment was not necessarily bad, but the on board attitude of many of the sailors were not positive

Long hours but rewarding experience. Advanced my knowledge of navigation. Management was fine. Co-workers-fine. hardest part of the job is long hours and on watch. Most enjoyable is Safety is an extreme priority.

Learned how to work in a fast pace environment as well as, learn to live away from home for long periods of time. Was able to meet people from all diverse areas of the world.

They are Excellent. working environment is very cool. No stress, very nice company. Nothing problem, Waiting for rejoining in this company. In my opinion this is the No 1 company in the Canada.

Decent workplace and living environment provided onboard CSLs domestic fleet. Overall good attitude towards the crew and office personal. Would recommend for seafarers Careerr

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