If this keeps up I may be heading back to tugs soon.
OSV work is quickly losing its appeal if it ever was appealing, and no raise on the horizon that I can see.
That’s competitive pay, and not having to Tank a barge on top of wheelhouse duties is a huge benefit.
That was the biggest downside to tug/barge work and something the other companies need to figure out if they want to retain bridge personnel.
Certainly saves these companies money using the Mates as tankermen but really limiting themselves to a very small pool of candidates that are capable and competent in wheelhouse and tanking a barge.