Hello Fellow Mariners,
I have been a 100-Ton Master since 1985 (first issue). I got out of the business for some time and just renewed my 200-Ton Master’s license waiting for it to arrive via USPS.
My question is, do I have a shot of finding a job? I would like to work aboard Tugboats, Crew Boats or even ships. Can you give me some idea? I have around 20 years as captain on commercial boats, dredge, and yachts. Does anyone hire a 200-ton Master so he can get the time to move up the hawse pipe? Thank you in advance for any comments you have. Best regards
Aloha captcool-
try these-
[CENTER][B][FONT=Times New Roman]CAPTAIN [/B][/CENTER]
[CENTER][B] American Marine Corporation [/B][/CENTER]
[CENTER][B][/B] [/CENTER]
is hiring a Lead Captain to operate out La/LB harbor based tugs and crew boats. Candidate should be a responsible, self motivated individual with 200 Ton USCG license w/towing endorsement and a
minimum of 10 years coastal towing experience. This is a full time, permanent position with an excellent wage/benefit package.
[CENTER][/CENTER]
[CENTER] Email or fax resume to: [/CENTER]
[CENTER]Dave Weihe [/CENTER]
[CENTER]American Marine Corporation [/CENTER]
[CENTER]Dave.weihe@marinecorp.com
and
[/CENTER]
[/FONT][B]Mate of Towing[/B]
Job ID: 102552
Location: USA Jacksonville
Status: Full Time JobLevel: Mid Career Company: Transatlantic Contact: Captain Clifford Ruggles Address: 6 Lincoln Ave
Greenwich, CT 06830
Phone: 419-654-2758
[CENTER](mate job- but near you)
Anthony
[/CENTER]
[quote=Captaincool;9265]Hello Fellow Mariners,
I have been a 100-Ton Master since 1985 (first issue). I got out of the business for some time and just renewed my 200-Ton Master’s license waiting for it to arrive via USPS.
My question is, do I have a shot of finding a job? I would like to work aboard Tugboats, Crew Boats or even ships. Can you give me some idea? I have around 20 years as captain on commercial boats, dredge, and yachts. Does anyone hire a 200-ton Master so he can get the time to move up the hawse pipe? Thank you in advance for any comments you have. Best regards[/quote] Thank you for that information, I just wanted to add I am working on my Radar and STCW, I have my TWIC and passport already. Someone suggested I get my MMD, STCW while I’m seeking work. Any other suggestions? Thank you again.
Captaincool - We have a similar background. I came down to the oil patch last fall, and got a captain position on crewboats.
Things are kind of tight down here now. My boat is working, but last night I had crew members from another well known company asking if we were hiring. Other employees from that company had rotated out, and received a call at home several days later telling them not to come back.
I’d guess that about a third of our boats are tied up right now.
Good luck!
My company is currently looking for a 200 ton Licensed Boat Captain for a project in Las Vegas…If you are interested please contact me at 702.408.8669 ASAP or anyone else with this license interested in working.
Regards
Charles
Vegas Tunnel Constructors
[QUOTE=Captaincool;9265]Hello Fellow Mariners,
I have been a 100-Ton Master since 1985 (first issue). I got out of the business for some time and just renewed my 200-Ton Master’s license waiting for it to arrive via USPS.
My question is, do I have a shot of finding a job? I would like to work aboard Tugboats, Crew Boats or even ships. Can you give me some idea? I have around 20 years as captain on commercial boats, dredge, and yachts. Does anyone hire a 200-ton Master so he can get the time to move up the hawse pipe? Thank you in advance for any comments you have. Best regards[/QUOTE]
While you were taking a break from the industry, some major changes happened to licensing for towing vessels that will have some major impact on your ability to work on a tug. Towing vessels now require a specific licernse, mate or master of towing vessels. A license as mate or master of appropriate tonnage is no longer adequate.
A major partt of the new license scheme is the Topwing Officer Assessment Record, or “TOAR.” To qualify for a towing license you must complete a series of practical demonstartions of your ability to operate a towing vessel. These must be performed in front of and signed off by a Coast Guard approved “Designated Examiner.” Most DEs are working captains on towing vessels, and perform their role as a DE as part of their normal work on a towing vessel. There are a small number who perform the assessments (or some of them) on a simulator.
Whether and how you can get that license will depend on your experience. If you do not hold a license as Master 500 GRT or higher, you must first qualify as mate of towing vessels, you would not be able to go directly to master of towing vessels.
It appears you might have some time as Master on vessels less than 100 GRT. If you have at least 3 years experience as Master, you can qualify for mate of towing vessels by obtaining at least 30 days of observation and training on a towing vessel, and completing the TOAR discussed above.
If you do not have the 3 years of experience as Master, you will need to obtain a license as “Apprentice Mate (Steersman).” This license has been described as a learner’s permit in that it does not allow you to operate a towing vessels except under the direct supervision of a properly licensed mate or master. This require 18 months of total experience, with at least 12 months on towing vessels. After you obtain Apprentice Mate, you will need to obtain an additional 12 months experience on towing vessels and complete a TOAR to qualify for mate. If you hold apprentice mate, no exam is needed for mate.
Why don’t you get your MMD, STCW-95 at a technical school and get a job on a tug as a deckhand and get your feet wet first. Learn the back deck, making and breaking tows and spending some time in the wheel house getting familiar with the rear controls, your radar capabilities, and in general on the job training while actually towing and watching and learning. By the time you get an apprentice mate(steersman), you won’t be in the dark. Your crew will be more tolerant of you if you have some experience. Towing a 450 foot fuel barge isn’t like sitting down in the Captains chair and just taking off in the wild blue yonder. Be logical and get experience. As a deckhand on the 0001 hr to the 1200 hr watch it’ll be you and Captain most likely the only ones up at night, maybe an oiler, but it’ll be you and him in the wheel house. You’ll also do some engine room checks too, all you will be needing to know if your going to Captain or Mate on a real Tug.