<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt]<font face=“Times New Roman” size=3>Hello all, this is my first post… Been looking around for a while and I kind of like what I’ve seen so far so… I thought I’d sound in.<br><br>The direction the industry is heading is not easily predicted, or I would be playing with the stock of the publicly traded maritime companies instead of spending two thirds of my time away from my family, but times right now are good. Good for well managed maritime companies as well as their mariners. I have been sailing for 23 years and I have never seen it better as far as the pay, currently the GOM is higher than that of the East or West coasts for similar positions. The treatment of the company’s mariners, I find the companies to be more people orientated than years past. (The fact that the number of mariners <strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="text-decoration: underline;]qualified</span></strong> to man the vessels are dwindling, and everyone can find another job by the time you get your bag packed has obviously contributed to this.) Finally, the quality of the newer vessels, better manning requirements and the whole crapload of many other things make it good times right now. <br></font></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt]<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /><o:p><font face=“Times New Roman” size=3><br>Just getting started? You have a difficult road ahead of you. Lots and lots of hoops to jump through. You seem like a smart guy, just remember the rewards are there, you just have to work to get them. </font></o:p></P>
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