Having spent much of my adult life at sea as: a seaman aboard a 311 foot CG Cutter on search & rescue duty, plus weather patrol in places like the Davis Straits, then as Captain of a state patrol boat in the Maine Warden service, then as an enforcement officer with the National Marine Fisheries service, then as a recreational thing on various sail boats, then again as Captain, I can tell you the difference. If you must be there in any weather, it can be hell. However, if you are in charge, and its just fun, then it can be quite rewarding. Definition of work..anything you HAVE to do.