Hello everyone, I am a first time poster on this site all though i check the forum quite often. anyway i have a few questions and was hoping for a little insight from you guys. i have been a tugboater up in Alaska for close to 15 years and i have been in the wheelhouse for 12. I hold a master of near coastal license with a 500 ton near coastal also have a A/B special. I have worked for the same company my whole career. Through the grapevine I have heard there is a lot of work down in the gulf on supply vessels.I love where I work and could work there forever but there is only one problem and that is we have no set schedule and it is really feast or famine! My quality of life is really lacking… I have a few questions that hopefully could be answered because i really have no clue on this part of our industry.
- Is there a demand for licensed people ( im looking for a mate job). And is my license big enough?
- Do i need the OSV 3000 endorsement?
- Could someone give me a vague amount on the money aspect?
- What would be the best companies to inquire about?
- Do most companies have a set schedule? and do they pay for your travel?
Anyway thanks for any responses and if you have any other info it would be greatly appreciated
The obvious answer you will hear from many others is, “Use the ‘Search’ function!”
But I’ll give it a go anyway.
- yes and probably. Almost all of the larger companies want at least 1600 ton licenses, but many smaller lower paying guys still have 500t boats.
- It would help. See #1 above.
- Mate pay can range from $375/day to $600/day (or higher) depending on the company.
- This is where you should use the aforementioned ‘Search’ function.
- I’ve never heard of a company in the Gulf that does not have a set schedule. Have heard of a few that couldn’t find you a relief when your schedule was up, but at least there was a schedule.
[QUOTE=txwooley;130650]
- yes and probably. Almost all of the larger companies want at least 1600 ton licenses, but many smaller lower paying guys still have 500t boats.
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Just be sure to get 3000 ITC OSV on your license before you come down.
Newer boats don’t even have a GRT on them.
ECO, Seacor, HOS will all take a guy with just a 500 ton as long as he has a 3000 ITC OSV on his license. A few places want a 1600 ton, but they are for the most part running older equipment that still have GRT on their vessels, or just don’t plain understand the difference between GRT and GT.
Now not having DP might be more of a problem but still plenty of places that will hire you if they have a spot.
As for travel being paid more likely then not you will have to pay your own way, but most will at least pick you up and drop you off at the airport or hotel in New Orleans.
Thanks for the info. I just realized I posted the same thread twice! I guess I’m the FNG! Anyway I sure hope they will add that endorsement without much hassle. You never know with coast gaurd…