Become a Tug Captain?

Maritime Employment
1

Hi ya’ll, I’m looking into becoming a tug captain. I have quite a bit of boating experience, but only smaller recreational boats. I’m good with my hands, motivated, a very fast learner, good mechanical knowledge, and haven’t been called anything but a hard worker. I’m 19, I currently own and operate a small landscape/ hardscape business that is doing well and expanding rapidly, however I’d like to do something else (it’s getting old). I love being around the water and in the bay. I think this is a living I would love to do.

I understand you have to work your way up, start as a deckhand and go from there, and I understand it could take anywhere form 5-10 years to become a captain if your good, but I don’t think I would mind as I would still be on the water making money. What I am completely confused about is what steps to take and what order to take them. I know you need a master liscense, but what grade of it? 100 ton 200 ton 500 ton? Where do you start, do you start as a deckhand with no license or do you need a license before you can get on the boat? I’ve been on the CG site but it’s still very confusing to me. So what licenses do I need before I start handing in applications? What time of year is best to start filling out Apps, best senerio for me would be to start working in november or december this year, but it seems like the more work would be in the summer. If I started in the fall I would still have my business to fall back on in the spring if I absolutely hated it. If I start in my working season (spring, summer, early fall) I’ll have to drop all my customers.

I have a clean record and a high school diploma.

I would be looking for work in the chesapeake bay area (or delaware bay), but may eventually want to go further south. As of now I have no prefference of the type of tug or type of work.

Also, what would one expect to make starting out as a newby deckhand? I’m sure it depends greatly on location, but what kind of number would I see? $15,000, $30,000 ?, and what would a seasoned captain expect to make?

How hard is it to get work right now? From what I’m reading it seems like there is a lot of other guys out there with the same idea, how likely am I to get hired as a deckhand, as I can’t show someone my work ethis or abilities untill my foot’s in the door. I’m guessing the hardest part is getting in.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to respond, Austin

2

You’ve got to start as a deckhand before you get any type of captains license, you’ve got to learn about boats, engines, weather and all sorts of stuff before they hand over the helm, 5-10 years is a pipe dream your looking more at the 10-15 year plan if your starting from scratch. My advice
Is go to CG and get your MMD and TWIC card to start then get a job on any kind of boat that will hire you, cook deckhand os wiper anything just so u can start learning the ropes then go from there, but don’t be in a big hurry cause it’s going to take time for you to get the seatime you need for any of the bigger licenses

3

Even as a newby in the mid-atlantic area, I don’t think $30-40K is out of the question. A seasoned Captain, $75-100+. It depends both on the Company and the schedule, whether its even time or 2 for 1.

Depending on what exactly makes up your “quite a bit of boating experience”, you might be eligible for a 100ton inland license but no one is going to give you a licensed position with no commercial experience. I think you knew that though. You may as well get it if you can, but I would strongly advise you to NOT work on it even if someone would hire you. You could easily get in over your head, get in trouble and either end up losing it or with a bad reputation. You might make it to mate in 5-10 years.

Determination will be your best friend in landing the job.l

4

That will change all too soon on a tugboat.
Good luck. The industry needs young guys.

5

Read the other two threads: Hello.Another new guy… And Read This First… Especially the very first thread on Read This and the entire 36 pages of Hello. THEN come back and ask questions.

6

Austin, all I can say is you get your career as far as your motivation will take you. Just like any other sector of the industry. Yes, the hoops and hurdles have become plentiful. For the self motivated, this is the right time to jump in. I know of a couple captain spots that are open on ECO’s LNG tractor tug fleet in Port Arthur. You can make six figures working time for time. All companies are looking for qualified, educated, dependable self motivated crews. Good luck with your decision.

7

To give you another thought, the post by RebelRider clearly documents his start to finish drama to find work. A couple years ago a guy who’s name was “ordinary seaman” on here was posting his progress for over 2 years while he attended PMI workboat academy on the left coast. He was doing stupendous. Then at the end , when he got a short job at a participating company he was gone. In a flash. Never to be heard of again. What happened? Did his expectations of what it would be like gone for a month (or more) not meet his reality? Did he get so violently seasick he quit? We don’t know. ( well really I can’t recall each.guy who can’t take it and has quit working with me either!)

8

If you really want to work on tugs look into PMi workboat academy. Check out the sponsorship companies and go from there.

9

PMI is a good route, you can also try the Columbia river. Deckhands can advance pretty fast on the Columbia if they’re motivated.

10

[QUOTE=acarter92;75244]Hi ya’ll, I’m looking into becoming a tug captain. I have quite a bit of boating experience, but only smaller recreational boats. I’m good with my hands, motivated, a very fast learner, good mechanical knowledge, and haven’t been called anything but a hard worker. I’m 19, I currently own and operate a small landscape/ hardscape business that is doing well and expanding rapidly, however I’d like to do something else (it’s getting old). I love being around the water and in the bay. I think this is a living I would love to do.

I understand you have to work your way up, start as a deckhand and go from there, and I understand it could take anywhere form 5-10 years to become a captain if your good, but I don’t think I would mind as I would still be on the water making money. What I am completely confused about is what steps to take and what order to take them. I know you need a master liscense, but what grade of it? 100 ton 200 ton 500 ton? Where do you start, do you start as a deckhand with no license or do you need a license before you can get on the boat? I’ve been on the CG site but it’s still very confusing to me. So what licenses do I need before I start handing in applications? What time of year is best to start filling out Apps, best senerio for me would be to start working in november or december this year, but it seems like the more work would be in the summer. If I started in the fall I would still have my business to fall back on in the spring if I absolutely hated it. If I start in my working season (spring, summer, early fall) I’ll have to drop all my customers.

I have a clean record and a high school diploma.

I would be looking for work in the chesapeake bay area (or delaware bay), but may eventually want to go further south. As of now I have no prefference of the type of tug or type of work.

Also, what would one expect to make starting out as a newby deckhand? I’m sure it depends greatly on location, but what kind of number would I see? $15,000, $30,000 ?, and what would a seasoned captain expect to make?

How hard is it to get work right now? From what I’m reading it seems like there is a lot of other guys out there with the same idea, how likely am I to get hired as a deckhand, as I can’t show someone my work ethis or abilities untill my foot’s in the door. I’m guessing the hardest part is getting in.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to respond, Austin[/QUOTE]

Just watch Great Lake Warriors. It will teach you eveything you need to know about being a tug Captain.

11

Capt Lee… Of I may so bold so as to finish your advice.

  1. Watch Great Lake Warriors to learn excellent tugboating skills.

  2. Watch Deadliest Catch to learn seamanship and how to work as a unit.

  3. Watch Hollywood Housewives to see what you think you will return to at home.

  4. Watch Trailerpark Boys to see what it really is like back home.

Bubbles is my hero.

12

[QUOTE=cappy208;81036]Capt Lee… Of I may so bold so as to finish your advice.

  1. Watch Great Lake Warriors to learn excellent tugboating skills.

  2. Watch Deadliest Catch to learn seamanship and how to work as a unit.

  3. Watch Hollywood Housewives to see what you think you will return to at home.

[B]4. Watch Trailerpark Boys to see what it really is like back home.[/B]

Bubbles is my hero.[/QUOTE]

Or instead you can watch “Here comes Honey Boo Boo”:wink:

13

[QUOTE=gcsaylor;81038]Or instead you can watch “Here comes Honey Boo Boo”;)[/QUOTE]

That is some funny stuff. Sugar Bear is awesome.

14

Best advice for a “new guy” that wants to know what its like out here. Its a lot like masturbating with sandpaper, sure at first its kinda entertaining, but in the end its just painful.

15

You should google Tug Jobs. It will give you a good idea what to expect

Sometimes I just crack myself up

16

Just call around asking for a deck. Hand job

17

Helpful info for newbies here: http://www.coastalvitalityproject.or…-Maritimes.pdf READ IT NEXT

18

Yesterday, I couldn’t even spell AB and 2day I R 1!