Breaking down the "Wall" and "Getting My Feet Wet"

Ok guys here is my deal, I have a background in construction dealing with all kinds of tools,motors and equipment. The construction industry is plummeting again in my area and work is getting thin. I took some advice from a family member who is a 3rd engineer and working his way up. He’s been telling me for years to get into the mariner industry. I have gotten my passport,TWIC,BST, and my MMC with the OS/Wiper endorsement. Knowing I want to go into the engine room I even took a 145 Hour QMED-Fireman/Oiler/WaterTender Training Program to get better acquainted with the systems I would be working with. I have been all over the net searching and applying for any and all “entry” positions I can find. This is where I have run into the “Wall” No Experience No Job, No Job No Experience. I am wondering if there are any particular companies that I should be applying to that are more apt to let me “get my feet wet” or atleast have wiper positions? I have noticed that most companies don’t offer wiper positions. I don’t know if they are phasing them out or if there is just too many qualified QMEDs out there that they don"t need any entry level people to train? So my main question would be if there is any other advice of what I should be doing, training I should get or something else that I have been missing?

Make the drive to south Louisiana.

Are you interested in working on ships, tugboats, OSV’s? The northeast is a good place to knock on doors as is Louisiana.

I am currently interested in a Pay Check of any kind. Being so new and inexperienced I do not know what kind of boat I would be interested in working long term on. I am willing to travel and spend months on a boat to get experience but I do not have the financial ability to roam around at different ports “knocking on doors”. I could definitely get to S Louisiana but would not know where to go when I got there. I would appreciate any advice you could give.

It took me 7 years to finally “break thru”, so i know what you up against, i would head to the gulf, or try bouchard, they may take you if you catch them in a pinch.

Open this thread, and copy and paste the list of companies into a word document, print/save, and then go prepare yourself to knock on doors. If you read the threads by the guys who have been working there you will learn that they are hiring like crazy right now. You will have to knock on doors though because the ones who show up ready to work are the most likely to get hired. Also read the thread “knocking on doors in Louisiana” which gets updated often. Bon chance

[QUOTE=catherder;110216]Open this thread, and copy and paste the list of companies into a word document, print/save, and then go prepare yourself to knock on doors. If you read the threads by the guys who have been working there you will learn that they are hiring like crazy right now. You will have to knock on doors though because the ones who show up ready to work are the most likely to get hired. Also read the thread “knocking on doors in Louisiana” which gets updated often. Bon chance

Thank you this helps alot. I have read thru the “knocking on doors in Louisiana” and it is helpful. I will be taking a trip to LA very soon.

[QUOTE=tillettso;110180]Are you interested in working on ships, tugboats, OSV’s? The northeast is a good place to knock on doors as is Louisiana.[/QUOTE]
Answer this question and you will likely get better answers. They all have their separate avenues of approach.

[QUOTE=BargeMonkey;110192]It took me 7 years to finally “break thru”, so i know what you up against, i would head to the gulf, or try bouchard, they may take you if you catch them in a pinch.[/QUOTE]

7 years? Did you walk to Louisiana? Like from Alaska or something…

tbeaubien:

I got your PM. Make sure you are pressing the right buttons when replying. All else seems to work.

[QUOTE=cappy208;110342]tbeaubien:

I got your PM. Make sure you are pressing the right buttons when replying. All else seems to work.[/QUOTE]

I do not know what I want to do long term or what type of ship or shift would be best. I have taken a QMED course which gives me 90 days “sea time” and I have already taken the USCG QMED test. I am looking for ANY position that will get me started. I have copied the list of companies listed here and have read “Knocking on doors in Louisiana”. I am going to continue applying on the net until I can research Louisiana and map out where the companies are located. From what I have learned my best bet is to get my but down there with my Info and a bag packed ready to go. I appreciate all the advice and info you guys have provided.

[QUOTE=tbeaubien;110365]I am going to continue applying on the net until I can research Louisiana and map out where the companies are located. From what I have learned my best bet is to get my but down there with my Info and a bag packed ready to go. I appreciate all the advice and info you guys have provided.[/QUOTE]

Don’t bother applying on the net. Spend the evening googling the companies locations, print them out and organize them in a three ring binder and get your room reservation in w/ Ms. Claudette.

You are going about this in the right way.

HOW about living with your VOTE! Fucking UNION HACK!

Stay out of the gulf you fucccccckinnnnngggg jerk oooffff! And the same to the rest of you academy fucks! Fcku!!!
.

Did someones deckhand piss in his coffee this morning…???

We got a live one, boys and girls!

WTF???

It looks like somebody left their phone unlocked in the galley.

Quit stereo typing people … I’m an academy dickhead not a jerk off…atleast you didn’t call him a f-ing Yankee or you might have hurt my feelings… Chill

Woah, this person has some deep seeded issues.