Catch 22

Seems like many folks here suggest having the 3M Unlimited from an academy is the way to go… I have been considering it, especially GLMA 3 year (already have a degree) but it is so damn expensive. I work as a “combi” on a factory trawler so as yet, am not eligible for qualifying sea time until someone else drops dead and I can be a “deckhand”.

So the catch is this: To finance going to an academy, it makes sense (I think) to keep fishing and save for a couple of years. But then, should said promotion and seatime become available, then doesn’t it make sense to just get the 1080 days AB Unlimited and then take classes/MITAGS/higher tonnage time and then voila, you are already a hawespiper!

In the end, it seems like after 5 years or so, one could have the 3M Unlimited and have a nice nest egg…what am I missing in terms of the advantages of the academy? Why do many on here still suggest financing $75k in education instead of working and saving?

[QUOTE=wcrutch;158256]Seems like many folks here suggest having the 3M Unlimited from an academy is the way to go… I have been considering it, especially GLMA 3 year (already have a degree) but it is so damn expensive. I work as a “combi” on a factory trawler so as yet, am not eligible for qualifying sea time until someone else drops dead and I can be a “deckhand”.

So the catch is this: To finance going to an academy, it makes sense (I think) to keep fishing and save for a couple of years. But then, should said promotion and seatime become available, then doesn’t it make sense to just get the 1080 days AB Unlimited and then take classes/MITAGS/higher tonnage time and then voila, you are already a hawespiper!

In the end, it seems like after 5 years or so, one could have the 3M Unlimited and have a nice nest egg…what am I missing in terms of the advantages of the academy? Why do many on here still suggest financing $75k in education instead of working and saving?[/QUOTE]

The advantages of an academy are; a license, an education, a degree and the contacts. If you already have an education, a degree and are on the way to a license it might not be worth the time and money to go back to school.

[QUOTE=Kennebec Captain;158259]The advantages of an academy are; a license, an education, a degree and the contacts. If you already have an education, a degree and are on the way to a license it might not be worth the time and money to go back to school.[/QUOTE]

And, if you are young enough, you may be able to get that education nearly no or at least low cost either through KP or other programs at state schools.

My son goes to SUNY Maritime. I wish I would have gone that route back when…

I have the chance to attend a foreign academy, as I am a dual citizen (Sweden/US). The more research I do, it seems the sadder I become at the state of the US deepwater operations (union dominated, relatively small fleet, high cost of education/significant barriers to entry) yet US academies are shorter (already having a degree) and I am a born american, so I prefer to be with “my people” if you know what I mean. The Swedish academies are cheaper, but longer (one more year with no wages) and it seems as though employment prospects deepwater are stronger.

Workboats are always another option, though having the biggest license possible is appealing in and of itself for the sake of leaving as many doors open as possible.

I know it’s a mixed bag on this forum in terms of union opinions. Personally, I hate the idea of going through a union—makes hawespiping discouraging, despite the chance to “earn while you learn”

I’m sure I’ll figure something out…I love being on a boat, just tired of fishing!

If you’re young it makes sense when you still have all those financial aid options available. If you’re doing it as a grad degree then it’s a little more of a heat area as to what’s better.