Career Pathways

Maritime Employment
1

Ok, so first a little background.

I obtained my license as Master of 100 GRT on Great Lakes and Inland Waterways plus Mate OUPV Near Coastal in 2023 after working tour boats seasonally since 2019. This year I’ve been working as a tour boat captain. I entered this industry knowing that I wanted more but during 2020 I was furloughed and almost decided to drop out entirely.

I’m 38 years old now and don’t see the four year maritime academy route in my stars. I thought about it a few years ago but I don’t think I want to incure the costs, take the time or saddle myself with the debt. I also don’t think I need to work on unlimited ocean tonnage vessels to be truly satisfied with my maritime career.

I’m now facing the question of what to do next and how to get to where I want to be professionally. I have an idea that reaching and spending a few years at Master 1600 GRT on oceans is a kind of long term benchmark career goal but I’m not sure how best to get there.

I’ve never worked offshore and although I am open to considering various types of offshore work(including AB work) I also want to choose the best path to advance my career to the position I want. I know that in this industry it appears as though we sometimes need to take a step back in order to get ahead. I take that for granted as a hawsepiper.

I believe I should have enough sea time by the end of this year to get a Mate 200 ton Near Coastal upgrade and obtain an AB unlimited. I don’t think I can get Master 200 ton Near Coastal yet.

I don’t want to do Inland work. I’m sick of looking at riverbanks. I don’t really want to do towing and definitely don’t want to start over at the bottom. From what I’ve read, the better way to Master 1600 tons oceans is to work 500 tons and then get TOAR and 30 days observation on a towing vessel.

I’m interested in Near Coastal and Oceans work and I’m open to the idea of doing an AB unlimited deep ocean stint for a year but only if that’s really going to help me in the long term.

I’ve thought about OSV mate or trying to get to an OSV captain position. I’ve thought about joining a union. I’ve thought about the SIU apprenticeship program. I know there’s a waiting list and I already make about $1500 a week as a captain where I am so I don’t know how much of a pay cut would seem worth the sea service and training I could hope for from that program.

I’ve looked into MITAGS and had an extensive phone conversation with them last November. They’re not doing the 3M apprenticeship now. I have a friend who joined their workboat mate program and then just dropped out when the company he was working with offered him an AB position. The cost of the program and low cadet pay were not so appealing either.

So my two big questions are,

  1. Where to go next?
  2. How to find the job?

As far as where to go next, I don’t really know what my options are since I have no offshore work experience. I know something about driving a 100 ton boat but that’s about all. I know that I need more classes and I’m fine with that but what kind of position could I reasonably hope to obtain by next year? I’m open to various workboat opportunities and I know that the money is better in that sector. I’m open to staying in the tourism/cruise sector but I don’t think the money is as good in the long term.

For job search I have been feeling lost trying to search online. Google searches don’t seem to be the best way. What advice can anyone give me on job searching? What are the trusted job boards (other than gcaptain) or agencies to work with? Should I try to join a union?

Thanks for anyone who made it this far!

2

It depends on what you want to do (sorry for stating the obvious) amd how long you’re willing to be away from home. Do you have any STCW classes? Some kind of tug and barge would probably scratch your itch. Most are 2 weeks on/off or 3 on/off. You’d probably start on deck and could decide to work up to the wheelhouse or if you work oil, go be a tankerman. You already have some licensing so you’re off to a good start.

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3

Hey thanks for the reply. Yes I have an idea of what I want to do but not having worked offshore yet I don’t know exactly what to expect. I’m ok with a hitch lasting up to 60 days if that job is going to be the best for my long term career development. If tugs are really the way to go I can go that route but I don’t have the experience so even if I get the AB on my MMC I haven’t done the time on a tug as an OS. I don’t know how much that will matter. Also if I’m going to do towing I would really prefer to work on a vessel of the greatest tonnage possible and go to international waters.

4

You could almost get a job anywhere as a os on tugs right now work 2/2 and still do your other gig part time . What area are you in?

5

I’m in Chicago but not committed to the area at all. I’ll go just about anywhere for the right job. Not especially interested in Hawaii or Alaska but if transportation is paid for by the company I would go to those places. I’ll work on the West Coast, East Coast or Gulf of Mexico. I’ll go deep ocean for the right job.

At this stage the determining factors for me are first, can I get the job, and second, how is it going to help me get to wheelhouse. I’m already in the wheelhouse where I am now but I want to work on bigger vessels and make more money offshore.

6

Well if you’re already up on the lakes then that would probably be your best best. Apply for OS or AB Positions with any of the lakes companies we’re usually always hiring, Andrie out of Muskegon is probably going to be one of the better paying companies AB with Pic is like 450.

As for the OSV captain route you’re going to need an OICNW endorsement it’s been a few years since I did mine but you’re looking at around $30k in classes. Although there are mini supply and crew boats that don’t require an OICNW you’d be hard pressed to find a company, a good one at least that will bring you on as a captain with no oilfield experience. The oilfield is also up and down right now its booming but that can go away at the drop of a hat and you’re either laid off or your pay cut in half.

If I were you Id look into the Lakes companies 1600t mates with a mate of towing are pushing close to 700/day at my company, you go and get pilotage for the Detroit and st Clair rivers and its even more.

7

Thanks for your reply.

I work with a guy who actually did get a captain position at an OSV company in Louisiana but I don’t know that he had that certification you mentioned. I’ll have to ask him.

I’m actually really trying to get out of the Midwest right now. I actually thought that a maritime career would be my ticket out. I respect the Great Lakes mariner, I just don’t want to be one.

The more I read on this forum the more I think the SIU apprenticeship could really be the way to go. With my sea time I could probably even get an AB earlier while doing the apprenticeship. I wonder though if it wouldn’t be better to try to get on a tug or OSV as an AB. It could be that I really do just need to finally scratch that itch for deep ocean work for a year or two and then see what I can do.

Since I’m already in the wheelhouse now I’m not thrilled about the idea of spending my days chipping paint, splicing cables and making and breaking tow as I’m nearing forty. I’m more interested in navigating. Not sure where that puts me career wise.

8

Well tugs or anything else you’re not going straight to the wheelhouse . Maybe and NYC fast ferry but those jobs are pretty much wrapped up. Im a tug guy but you’re years away from the wheelhouse unless you could get a 500 and a DE to sign your toar even year still years away from being able to stand your own watch moving oil. Maybe ship assist tugs would be a faster route.

9

If it’s less than a 200 ton boat then it’s not needed.

You don’t have to build tow on an ATB and theres plenty of those going around.

to be honest crew boat and mini supply captain pay is about what you’d make as an AB on large OSV and you’d be way more comfortable generally speaking you’ll have your own room and head.

Im not bashing a 100t license as I was there at one point, but your’re going to need a more than just a 100t license to run captain on really anything offshore. You’ll need STCW, PSC, Radar, THEUT although companies will generally pay for that one.

Good luck man. You have options but going from inland/great lakes will require some classes to work offshore in any capacity.

10

Yes I realize that I’m starting late in life and shifting from 100 ton tour vessels to tugs basically puts me back at square one. I’m not sure the tug route would be the best for me if I would need several more years to work my way up to the wheelhouse.

I’m not sure where that puts me with respect to my future career prospects!

11

Thanks. Yes, I need to look into small crew boats. I would take an AB position on a vessel of greater tonnage if I could get it. I don’t have the AB yet but I’m sure I have the sea time for AB limited and I might even have enough for unlimited since they lowered the requirement. I’m okay with taking more classes. Classes are an investment for advancement and better pay. I just wonder if I wouldn’t be better off at this point trying to do something like the SIU apprenticeship and try to work on unlimited tonnage for a year or two before returning to seek endorsement upgrades and near coastal work. I know admittance is not a guarantee. Maybe I should apply and see if I can even get in.

12

Deckhand work is deckhand work. It is what you make it. If you use it as an opportunity to learn and train then it’s great. If you are just waiting for your turn to drive the boat, then it’s going to be a rough road.

Lots and lots of us started somewhere with a small license keep in mind that it really doesn’t translate to commercial work. Even on tugs a 100ton doesn’t get you anywhere.

Get your AB a soon as possible, get on anywhere and try it out. As an example for pay, my company (tugs) is paying $300-400 a day for OS, and $400-475 a day for AB. You are going to make more as a deckhand commercial than you do as a captain on tour boats.

Consider the places you apply, most are going to want to see relatable experience for mate and captain positions. If someone is going to sail you as such coming from tour boats, think long and hard about what kind of company sails a captain without experience.

Unless unlimited tonnage is your ultimate goal it really doesn’t do you any good to sail on an unlimited vessel. The benchmark for a 1,600 ton license is vessels over 100tons.

There isn’t an easy way into work boats. Even academy grads usually sail deckhand a while. The up side is that you can be making $650-850 in 3-5 years working only 6 months. You will need more classes and you will need more license. Figure $35-50k to get to 1,600 ton master oceans, master 3,000 ton, OICNW. It’s worth it, but it takes work.

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13

Yeah, most of the others have touched on the salient points. Get your AB if you can, even limited doesn’t matter to most tug companies, ABs at my company are at $499 a day (including $50 a day for travel) that’s almost 90k before OT and holidays.

As you know from your current gig, most of us are in pilotage waters nearly all the time. It takes time to build your knowledge and skills, be patient,you’re hardly the oldest person ever to try this. Some time on deck makes you better in the wheelhouse.

The other good thing is that you’re in the Chicago area, it should be pretty easy to fly anywhere you want to work. Go where you can learn and make money. If you’re going to be away from home, you should make as much as you can.

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14

I’ve never done SIU or any union for that matter but if you’re not wanting to work on deck then that SIU school is going to be the last thing you want to do based solely on what I’ve read.

Hawspipeing these days really is an uphill battle with all the STCW bullshit. Like i said ive got close to 30k in my oicnw and probably another 10 in hotels and flights for the classes. when I was in the gulf at Tidewater my company was paying for all that then when it came time for me to take the classes they quit doing it because of a downturn and I had to do it on my own.

I know you said you dont want to work tugs but thats going to be your best bet at advancement. Get your AB and 500t, apply as an AB prove your worth, get your TOAR signed off and on a wire boat you’ll be able to get everything on the TOAR signed off. Just my two cents man.

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15

Where I work is currently full of deckhands, almost 3/4 of them with a 200 master or 1600 / 3rds and 3-4 getting ready to train / move up, alot of these guys have been decking 2-4yrs here already. When you get a job make it known to the rest of the crew your just there to move up to steer, bitch the whole time that the jobs beneath you, let us know how it goes.

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16

Wow! Sounds like a number of overqualified deckhands working there. Is it great pay? Why don’t they find jobs that suit their credentials?

17

They put the time in, in 2-5yrs when they are cut loose they actually know the job. Running a little cruise boat and a tugboat around the northeast arent close. I knew alot of guys yrs ago at Reinauer who went 3-5yrs+ decking with a 1600 trying to move up, one of them is a captain over here now, over there the saying was a 200ton and 2.00 would get you a cup of coffee. This industry is so broad and unique, until youve spent a couple years bouncing around especially on the tug side I wouldnt make huge decisions.

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18

FYI, that part of the job never really goes away, even if you’re in the wheelhouse. The best captains I ever worked for were never shy about grabbing a needlegun, helping to splice lines, or just trying to ease some of the workload for the rest of the crew. You won’t have any semblance of crew cohesion with that mentality. Nothing worse than the mate or captain sitting around the galley table all day bitching about how no one works hard anymore while scrolling instagram…

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19

Sea Service:

Developing your career path is based on your sea letters. Set down a prepare your career decisions by summarizing your documented sea service letters based on

· Waters served upon – Oceans, Near Coastal, Great Lakes, and Inland

· Total days of service – 360/720/1080 days

· Tonnage of the vessels –50 GRT /100GRT or more

· Positions held statements – sea service as a member with bridge watchstanding duties under the supervision of the master or qualified officer.

– Service as a master, mate, or equivalent position while holding a license as master, mate or as operator of OUPV

Sidebar: You can use documented sea service from your 16th birthday, ref: 46 CFR 10.232, 46 CFR 11.201(c)(5)

Checklist: National and STCW

Once you have a complete record of your past sea service, start going through NMC Checklists for qualified ratings and license possibilities. The goal is to match your sea time qualification with any qualified endorsements and licenses you are eligible for. Include future employment opportunities.

Realistic Employment Goal Setting:

Using what you indicated are your career thoughts are considering joining a deep sea union – SIU, SUP or IBU. The proposed plan consists of:

    1. Using your documented deck service for National Able Seaman Endorsement. This plan is supported by having the following:
  • · Limited w/ 360 days on vessels over 100 GRT or
  • · Able Seaman unlimited Limited w/ 540 days deck service Oceans, Great Lakes and possibility Near Coastal vessels.
    1. What was not indicated was your STCW qualification for RFPNW (NVIC 08 14) or Able Seafarer-Deck (NVIC 14-14) which should be requirements for a deep-sea position. Both qualifications have course requirements (Basic Training and Vessel Security), assessment demonstration, and sea time elements. Look at the STCW checklist for these endorsements.

Sidebar: (1) 46 CFR 11.201 requires that an applicant for STCW must hold the appropriate National Endorsement.

(2) Consider USCG acceptance of assessors who are not USCG approved assessors STCW Qualified Assessor Extension.

License Upgrades

Some of your career discussion is upgrading your national license. Using your sea service summary and NMC checklist determine what you qualify for.

Resolve the questions presented in each checklist. E.g. Based on sea letters do you have:
(1) 720 days in deck department on Ocean, Near Coastal, or Great Lakes of which half the service may be substituted (360 days) on Inland Waters.
(2) Do you have 360 days service as a master, mate, or equivalent position while holding a license as master, mate or as operator of OUPV.

If so, look at Master 200 ton Near Coastal.

Next, your comments seem to support time on tonnage greater than 50 GRT and also 100 GRT. So, review your qualifications for the 500-1600 ton checklists for Inland and Near Coastal. If you believe you qualify for the 500 or 1600 ton license consider looking into the National Mate of Towing checklist.

If the goal is to go beyond the boundary lines with vessels greater then 200 ton you need to look at the STCW checklist for OICNW. Keep in mind there are required courses, and assessment demonstrations requirements.