Ok, Love the site and been reading posts for years Now I need experienced opinions.
I have a AB Unlimited rating, with STCW95, Lifeboatman, Mate to master, Maritime Consortium member.
I am trying to get a job in the Maritime Industry, I donât care whereâŚ? I have been chartering boats here in Florida for several years. No commercial experience.
I have friends in the SIU and they all are telling me I need to go to the Harry Lundeburg School of Seamanship. Do the 1 year of schooling and training and then get
out in the MSC Fleet with them. They said they could arrange it⌠if you know what I mean !!! They have been in the SIU over 20 years.
Once out there money would not be an issue, and I could work out there long enough to get whatever tonnage / rating I was looking for ?
I am already in the deck department, should I stay here and go for my 3 Mates ticket ? or Change up and go for my 3rd AE Licsense ?
I really want to be in the wheel house, and do not like engines or working on machines. I could if it would be super beneficial, but generally not me.
I have heard from Weekâs Marine, Wed. this week. 8/14/2013
I am taking all the testing today, and waiting for a official offer ?
What should I expect ? and what should I accept ? I applied for an AB position.
Should I go to the SIU School and do what my friends have told me to do ? or Keep doing everything on my own ?
There is a lot schooling to do to get my 3rd Mates ticket. Union Vs. Independent way ?
All feedback is welcome.
Thank you, and Calm Seaâs
Should not have to answer your deck vs engine question. You said you like the wheel house and donât like engines or working on machines? Why would you even consider a job in the ER? I would not want you in my ER if you donât want to be there, so there is no benefit in you going engine.
I was told that the Engine Department is a better career option ? Opportunity and pay ?
That is the only reason I ask. If it is 3 times the pay, I might consider it ?
But I am asking for advice, and opinionâs.
I believe all advice is valuable.
Kind of, if I would have known - I might have done thing.
ThanksâŚ
You wonât make any more money in the engine room at sea âfor the most partâ as there are always exceptions. The pay is ânormallyâ equal to the equivalent deck/engine give or take a few bucks here and there. There are however typically/historically more âoptionsâ ASHORE once you have years of engineering experience as a licensed assistant or chief engineer. Lately engineers have been in high demand especially with a strong juice background but you already answered, you want to be in the wheelhouse so go that route.
[QUOTE=floridadiveguy;117620]I have a AB Unlimited rating, with STCW95, Lifeboatman,
I have friends in the SIU and they all are telling me I need to go to the Harry Lundeburg School of Seamanship. Do the 1 year of schooling and training and then get
out in the MSC Fleet with them. They said they could arrange it⌠if you know what I mean !!! [/QUOTE]
Iâm confused, why would you need a year of schooling if youâre already an AB? MSC is always hiring ABâs, if you have a pulse itâs pretty much a sure thing⌠if a license is your goal then MSC would be well worth considering. Probably one of the fastest ways to build sea time and they are generous with the training. Lots of downsides too, but that is well documented on this site.
I do not have my RFPNW.
With out that no one will hire me. They keep asking why I donât have it ? LOL⌠I have never been on a commercial ship, thatâs why ! Duuhh
I have gone to MSC fairs and recruiters. They said go in the Steward Dept. and try to transfer once I was hired.
Trying to get into MSC on my own has been all but impossible. They are always hiring Engine Dept positions⌠That is why I asked aboveâŚ
Going to the SIU school would give me over 210 days of water time and I would get my RFPNW upon graduation. Then I could get into MSC, through the SIU.
Then I could go to there schools for my 3rd mate schooling, here in Florida at the STAR Center.
Just thinking.
Deck versus engine room. Hmmm. I cherish the guys downstairs. I really do. I just couldnât deal with all my clothes having to sit in the garage because my wife couldnât stand the smell of diesel.
First of all. how do you have an âAB Unlimitedâ if youâve ânever been on a commercial shipâ? If you have any kind of rating, you CANNOT attend the SIU apprenticeship program. This includes AB. The program is targeted towards people with little experience. I stated this in another post, and verified it with them directly. Why didnât you call their admissions office before spending time getting your hopes up? They are easy to reach.
You wrote: âLOL⌠I have never been on a commercial ship, thatâs why ! Duuhhâ âŚwell, guess what, you donât need to be on a âcommercialâ vessel to get your RFPNW. It has nothing to do with commerce.
[QUOTE=MariaW;117641]First of all. how do you have an âAB Unlimitedâ if youâve ânever been on a commercial shipâ? Do you know what âUnlimitedâ means? You need sea time on very large displacement ships, most of which are commercial. Do you actually have a little orange book that says âAB Unlimitedâ issued by the Coast Guard, or are you just saying that because you think you can get one?
If you have any kind of rating, you CANNOT attend the SIU apprenticeship program. This includes AB. The program is targeted towards people with little experience. I stated this in another post, and verified it with them directly. Why didnât you call their admissions office before spending time getting your hopes up? They are easy to reach.
What kind of AB do you REALLY have?[/QUOTE]
AB unlimited doesnât have a tonnage requirement. AB limited does however.
I got my time for unlimited third mate working for as AB for NOAA . Not high paying or high status but from there to MSC, first as an
AB then as 3/M till I got a second mate ticket then commercial deep-sea to C/M and unlimited master.
[QUOTE=justaboatdriver;117642]AB unlimited doesnât have a tonnage requirement. AB limited does however.[/QUOTE]
You are correct. Iâm sorry floridadiveguy. Shame on me! It makes no sense, but there it is. Apparently AB Unlimited without RFPNW is useless, but how do you get the RFPNW if youâve gained your AB Unlimited by sailing your 30 ft boat for three years?
Ratings Forming Part of a Navigation Watch (RFPNW)
Note: 50% of required service must be on vessels at least 200 GRT / 500 GT.
180 days of approved seagoing service associated with navigational watchkeeping functions and
involve the performance of duties carried out under the direct supervision of the master, OICNW or
RFPNW; or
[B][I]An approved course, plus approved seagoing service specified by the course/program[/I][/B]; AND
Assessments 1-1A through 3 -2A;
Note: must be signed by 2nd Mate or higher (Master 500/1600 â OK) employed on the vessel &
holding an appropriate STCW; also, all steering & helm assessments occurred on a vessel of at
least 100GRT or a full mission simulator of at least 200 GRT / 500 GT.
[QUOTE=z-drive;117652]Ratings Forming Part of a Navigation Watch (RFPNW)
Note: 50% of required service must be on vessels at least 200 GRT / 500 GT.
180 days of approved seagoing service associated with navigational watchkeeping functions and
involve the performance of duties carried out under the direct supervision of the master, OICNW or
RFPNW; or
[B][I]An approved course, plus approved seagoing service specified by the course/program[/I][/B]; AND
Assessments 1-1A through 3 -2A;
Note: must be signed by 2nd Mate or higher (Master 500/1600 â OK) employed on the vessel &
holding an appropriate STCW; also, all steering & helm assessments occurred on a vessel of at
least 100GRT or a full mission simulator of at least 200 GRT / 500 GT.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, but the point is, can you get a JOB on one of the vessels that will give you RFPNW as an AB without RFPNW?
Yes you need to find a job as an OS most likely. If you canât at MSC the whoopdy-Doo do what normal people do and find an alternative. Or open your checkbook and go take a RFPNW class.
[QUOTE=z-drive;117660]Yes you need to find a job as an OS most likely. If you canât at MSC the whoopdy-Doo do what normal people do and find an alternative. Or open your checkbook and go take a RFPNW class.[/QUOTE]
Well, this wasnât my thread, but since you mention it, you canât just take a âclassâ to get RFPNW. That was the point of the OP. Can you get RFPNW training onboard a ship if youâre just an OS?
Now I need experienced opinions.