From a Cadet: Dan Milne’s Career Journey at North

From a Cadet: Dan Milne’s Career Journey at North Star 

Dan Milne’s journey at North Star is nothing short of inspiring. Starting as a deck cadet in 2012, he quickly rose through the ranks; 2nd officer, chief officer, and then master of the Grampian Freedom. Now, he’s taking on an exciting new challenge as a junior dynamic positioning officer on our SOV the Grampian Tweed, supporting the offshore wind industry.

Reflecting on his career path, Dan shares:

“When I first left school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. A friend recommended the North Star cadetship, and I’m so glad I followed his advice. My first trips offshore aboard the Grampian Citadel and Grampian Sovereign gave me invaluable hands-on experience, from cargo operations to navigation.”

North Star’s cadet programme provided Dan with the skills, mentorship, and confidence to achieve his goal of becoming a vessel master in just 10 years! He credits the experienced seafarers he worked alongside for helping him grow professionally and personally.

Now, Dan is charting a new course in offshore wind—a sector full of innovation and opportunity.

“Although I’m extremely proud to have supported our oil & gas operations in the North Sea, the future of wind energy is exciting, and I’m eager to be a part of it.”

This career move also meant mastering dynamic positioning (DP) systems. But Dan embraced the challenge, recently qualifying for his ‘Unlimited Master’s Certification’ allowing him to command any ship. He even spent seven weeks on the Grampian Tweed preparing for his exam, which he passed the day he stepped ashore!

“From the start of my career, I’ve aimed to continually learn and grow. Joining the SOV fleet aligns with my long-term aspirations and allows me to contribute to a more sustainable maritime industry.”

At North Star, we’re proud to support talented professionals like Dan, who are shaping the future of offshore energy.

Are you ready to navigate your own career journey in maritime? Let’s talk!