I commend you on using your mariner’s skills during college and undertaking various local maritime jobs. However, you are now experiencing the issue of route (Inland) and tonnage (25 ton) limitations which are restrictive on your employment capabilities in other locations.
The issue you are presenting is one of Maritime Career Management. At this point, your post
seems to be focused on finding a job and some time in the future developing a career.
While there is not enough information in your post to provide a strong career path and/or plan outside of your small passenger vessel experience cluster but your post does open the possibility of using your degree as a deck officer with the NOAA Marine Officer Corps.
My recommendation is that you focus on the immediate limitations of your license by review your documented sea time on vessels 0-25 tons and routes. Then research the CFRs to identify specific options and application that may allow a modification.
• IAW Lower Level Tonnage Increases checklist and as outlined in 46 CFR 11.422,
“Do you have the sea time to increase your inland tonnage limitation to 50 tons?”
• How much time offshore do you have?
Refer to 200-ton Mate NC checklist and as outlined in 46 CFR 11.427(a)(2) requirements. “Do you meet the sea time requirements for 200-ton Mate Near Coastal.
Preparing an USCG application for Increase-In-Scope (Modification) or Raise of Grade.
• Your application evaluation may subject you to a tonnage limitation, but you may obtain both an Inland Master and Near Coastal Mate route.
• At each step verify the testing requirements along the possible pathways. Use the Deck and Engineering guide ESS (exam structure sheet) pg. 18, and Pg. 17 for 200 ton.
Some increase-in-scope, courses can be taken in lieu of examination and courses are identified in the NMC Course List.
To your benefit, you indicated having a possible network of friends working as mariners in your targeted locations. Keep in mind, some employees are part of a company’s “Talent Referral Network” where they can receive a recruiting bonus for providing qualified mariners for valid openings.
Start here, see if your network has any possible leads to their company openings or other local companies that could use your work experience and expertise. In some cases, to get into a quality company, you may need to enter at a lower position and work towards the license position you are seeking.
Tap into this professional network and have them explain the following:
- How are they developing a sustainable career in their industry sector (e.g. private yachts, launches, water taxis, fishing charters, sports diving boats, dinner/sightseeing boats etc.) in the local area?
- Where do they obtain information as to an industry cluster? E.g., Dockwalk123.
- How do they go about identifying industry leads? E.g. Daywork123.
- Determine how do they go about their continuing professional education. Are courses provided by employer or are out of pocket expenses?
After you ask your fellow mariners these questions, research job descriptions from local companies you would consider working for.
- Focus on positions requirements and professional gaps that prevent you getting employed (e.g. deckhand) and those need for the next promotional requirements (e.g. Mate).
- When looking at a career in the industry, consider looking at company training reimbursements, travel expenditures, room & board cost while training, and the closest area training facilities representing your industry sector selection.
- Then Knock on Doors
Hope this helps.
. Doubtless they will show up again here shortly to tell us about it.
