This is a rough time to even think about getting on any boat to work. Our office is hiring deckhands with 1600 ton license’s and she has a stack of applications for all positions she can pick and choose from. Your best bet is to do as the other guys recommended and get the STCW, even just enough time for an A.B, anything to make yourself stand out in the crowd of people. The level of complacency out here would shock anyone, our office told everyone a few years ago, that STCW and a passport was going to be the new minimum, i believe about 20% of the guys listened, theres going to be some upset people down the road. Mid-Atlantic is a great place to pick up the training, i was very happy, plan on doing the chief limited program there.