Funny thing about assumptions, just like this one…
…they’re usually wrong.
You might consider that some of the people offering advise here have some experience. No, foreign flags mentioned are not horrible wages, actually the opposite. No, DP ships don’t only hire 3rds who have DP.
I wouldn’t even bother. They’re laying up almost half of their fleet in the next month or so.
nice bullet points but sea letters are written to the composite tonnage of the tug/barge on large sized ATBs. You don’t need DP to get hired as a 3/M at Transocean or Noble. There are no ITBs in service anywhere anymore…only ATBs
OSG has already scrapped over 3/4 of their JA tug/barge fleet due to age., There are two recent newbuild ATB type barges that are in service with decent tugs., In addition to the lightering fleet off Delaware Bay.
I’m not talking about the ATBs. I’m talking about the ship fleet.
Ok, I guess with this pandemic shit that fleet is not immune to the lower oil usage as well as the rest of the competitors. Still looking for your book, have not forgotten. A wise choice.
There is no ITBs in service anymore…except on the great lakes. ATBs only count 2 for 1 days up to 50% of your sea time to upgrade to 2nd Mate Unlimited. @jdcavo has already answered that before on the forum. Bouchard would not help people like me who are trying to upgrade to 2nd mate unlimited. I already have more than enough tug time, need unlimited/ conventional vessel.
If you could point me in the direction of some foreign flag ships/ companies that will hire Americans and pay decent wages, it would be greatly appreciated 
Also, about the drilling companies hiring third without DP. How do they stand navigational watches, aren’t those vessels always in DP mode or do they have someone on the bridge with them? Sorry for my ignorance but my experience is on tugboats and I am almost always in the wheelhouse alone driving.
I was, as mentioned, referring to the ones mentioned…drillship companies. They hire Americans and in my experience payed as good or often better than US flag (perhaps until the current downturn).
It is a good point about standing navigation watches though. Certainly you could while under way without DP. But getting hired is an easy foot in the door to get DP cert. Maybe you don’t want it, but it definitely opens doors both employment wise and economically.
The company I worked for most recently usually hired 3rds to work as day workers while they got time towards DP.
This just isn’t the case. Everybody on the ATBs would be stuck at 3rd Mate Unlimited then when I know for a fact they have higher licenses.
3/Ms on the drillships as far as I know are doing mostly maintenance and inspections. while the DPOs on board are on watch.
If you want to upgrade, then take a hit in pay, go on one of the Mercy Ships, give back a bit, and upgrade your license. Good experience and will open your eyes. Money isn’t everything.
Any reason you want nonunion ships?
MMP and AMO have jobs.
Or you can apply to MSC, not sure they’re looking for mates right now, but if not now, soon.
For anyone leaving home, money and benefits has a big piece in the equation.
I think you take more than a hit there, I think you actually pay to work there… like, literally.
A friend worked on one of the Mercy ships recently as an engineer, Was paid quite well.
And that time is only supposed to count for half the required unlimited time so it’s not the same as working on an unlimited ship (unless you get an evaluator who makes a mistake).
@SeaEagle, was your friend on one of the US Govt hospital ships or one of the ships from the Mercy Ship organization? There’s a difference between the two (: https://www.mercyships.org/
The reason I am looking for nonunion is because the wait for jobs with AMO and MMP is extremely long for a third officer right now. At least 6-7months for AMO and much longer for MMP. Trying to get 2nd unlimited to then join AMO or MMP, much faster to get a job.
Its interesting you mentioned the ship factory trawlers, I can’t find the tonnage for them but I assume they are unlimited, however, I would rather do cargo than fish. Done my fair share of rough weather in Alaska on tugs. Alaska in general is miserable but if it gets me to 2nd mate unlimited I am for it.
Unfortunately what you want to accomplish coincidences with a down cycle in the business. Take what you can find regardless of the pay if your ultimate goal is to increase the scope of your license. I took some pretty crappy low paying jobs when I was in your position. In hindsight the circumstances did me a favor. I learned a lot, humility being one of my greater lessons.
Well then, the evaluators have made lots of mistakes probably because the companies write the letter the way they do.