Does anyone know what an average daily wage would be for a harbor tractor tug engineer? I’ve got 3 a/e unlimited and about 4 yrs deep sea experience but only 6 months tug boat experience. I’m working in Norfolk, Va and I’m supposed to be renegotiating my pay now that my trial period is over, but I’m not sure what a decent wage for what I’m doing is.
. Most of the time if you can see the beach every night and have cell phone service, the pay is a good bit lower than being offshore for a month at a time or more. Wtih only having a 3a/e, I don’t think that allows you to sail as a chief even on a tug, you are probably just filling the spot as a licensed engineer.
It will depend on the company, some historically pay better than others
Is it a union job, and are you dealing direct with a union or straight with the company HR guy.
What is the job market like in the area for people with similar experience, and license. If you are the only one, the wages automatically go up, if there is a line of people waiting for the job, the wages in turn go down.
How big is the tug, does it actually require a chief engineer, a licensed engineer,a qmed, or none at all. Sometimes what is on the COI will be a huge difference from what the company actually puts on the vessel. Some are real good, some skimp by with the bare minimum they can.
It is kind of hard to say a number without knowing a little more info. PM me if you don’t want to put it out in public
I left the tugs about 12 years ago, the wages are a little better now than when I left, but notthing compared to the oilfield
It’s not union. I’ll be dealing directly with the port engineer. It’s a 4,000 Hp tug and we’re easily the busiest boat in their fleet 3:1. I’m the only engineer onboard and most other engineers don’t have a license, just qmed I believe. I don’t know how others compare because most other engineers I’ve me here worked their way up and aren’t licensed, so it’s hard to get a comparison. I’m getting $300/day for a 12 hr day now and I’ve heard as much as $360/day.
360 for a non-union harbor boat in Norfolk sounds about right.
If you are happy with the job, the boat, the crew, the company, and the work, that is not bad pay then. That being said, being the only engineer is on a tug is probably one of the best self learning experiences you will ever get. Take advantage of it and gain what ever knowledge you can. I will only help you as you progress your career.
Just my 2 cents, 300 a day seems a little low, the biggest issue I can see is you are having to compete with other people that are not even required to have a license, that by itself will keep your pay down. As long as you are happy with it, I would not complain to much. Just know there are alot better things out there, if you are willing to go after them.
I left the tugs in 2001 if I remember correctly I was making around 375 a day as chief on a big ATB, plus all the O.T. I could stand back then. Now I think the sea going tug engineers are around 500 to 600 a day depending on the size of there license, company and location. As I said though harbor tugs will usually be behind, the sea going rigs.
Bouchard would hire you with a 3rd A/E as an Asst. Eng. and pays somewhere are $450/day.
With 4 years deep sea experience you should have enough time to upgrade your license to 2/AE / CME limited. Upgrade your license and DEMAND more money! BWHAHAAHAH!!
[QUOTE=Bloodyshitcakes;87064]With 4 years deep sea experience you should have enough time to upgrade your license to 2/AE / CME limited. Upgrade your license and DEMAND more money! BWHAHAAHAH!![/QUOTE]He said 4 years [B][U]and[/U][/B] 3A/E. Not 4 years [B][U]as[/U][/B] 3A/E
[QUOTE=KPEngineer;87066]He said 4 years [B][U]and[/U][/B] 3A/E. Not 4 years [B][U]as[/U][/B] 3A/E[/QUOTE]
It’s doubtful that someone with 4.5 years sea time has earned a 3AE license. Possible but unlikely. This young lady is probably not a hawspiper.
I’m not a hawsepiper. I’m a CMA grad, so it is 4 yrs of 3 A/E time.
Also, I don’t get OT, so that should probably factor in.
[QUOTE=ChiefRob;87056]If you are happy with the job, the boat, the crew, the company, and the work, that is not bad pay then. That being said, being the only engineer is on a tug is probably one of the best self learning experiences you will ever get. Take advantage of it and gain what ever knowledge you can. I will only help you as you progress your career.
Just my 2 cents, 300 a day seems a little low, the biggest issue I can see is you are having to compete with other people that are not even required to have a license, that by itself will keep your pay down. As long as you are happy with it, I would not complain to much. Just know there are alot better things out there, if you are willing to go after them.
I left the tugs in 2001 if I remember correctly I was making around 375 a day as chief on a big ATB, plus all the O.T. I could stand back then. Now I think the sea going tug engineers are around 500 to 600 a day depending on the size of there license, company and location. As I said though harbor tugs will usually be behind, the sea going rigs.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, that working alone IS a great teacher. Especially on an ocean going tug. In that respect, the Crowely hawser boats are an invaluable experience. No matter how much time one sails as a trainee engineer, that first trip alone is quite an experience. While I am not a pilot, I would imagine that it is similar to that first solo flight, except that it lasts for a few weeks. I have been away from sailing to comment on pay. I think that when I left the ATB, I was making a bit over $200/day, but that was WAAAAY back in 87 and a non-union gig where we could negotiate our own salary and bonuses. No OT, though.
[QUOTE=cmakin;87146]Yeah, that working alone IS a great teacher. Especially on an ocean going tug. In that respect, the Crowely hawser boats are an invaluable experience. No matter how much time one sails as a trainee engineer, that first trip alone is quite an experience. While I am not a pilot, I would imagine that it is similar to that first solo flight, except that it lasts for a few weeks. I have been away from sailing to comment on pay. I think that when I left the ATB, I was making a bit over $200/day, but that was WAAAAY back in 87 and a non-union gig where we could negotiate our own salary and bonuses. No OT, though.[/QUOTE]
That is why I used the words learning experience instead of teacher, because that is exactly what it is when you are by yourself.
My first job was on a single screw tug with one 399 Cat, towing a barge to Puerto Rico. It was learn or swim, I picked learn. I was all alone just me and a clattering ole V-16, luckly the company and crew were very good to work for.
[QUOTE=girlygreasemonkey;87140]I’m not a hawsepiper. I’m a CMA grad, so it is 4 yrs of 3 A/E time.[/QUOTE]
If you have enough time to upgrade to a DDE, or maybe even a Chief Limited oceans, that would make yourself way more marketable, and get you out of the unlicensed engineer catogory. That alone is probably a big raise by itself.
If you have 4 years on a 3a/e you should have the time, to upgrade, that would probably be the best thing for you to do in my opinion.
[QUOTE=ChiefRob;87197]That is why I used the words learning experience instead of teacher, because that is exactly what it is when you are by yourself.
My first job was on a single screw tug with one 399 Cat, towing a barge to Puerto Rico. It was learn or swim, I picked learn. I was all alone just me and a clattering ole V-16, luckly the company and crew were very good to work for.[/QUOTE]
Point taken. There is lots to learn on the PR run. Not all of it onboard. . . . .
my engineers in the northeast on a day-boat who get to go home every night are making in the low 70’s at the end of the year if that helps. I’d say $375 would be a pretty good number to end up at but with that company (from experience) you should go in high over $400 as they will talk you down from your starting point.
Don’t buy the argument that the license shouldn’t entitle you to more pay. we have had a hard time finding a decent licensed engineer lately up my way due to the low pay. Regardless of being required, i’d like to have a couple licensed engineers around for “just in case.”
Hey y’all I’m lookin for a position ? Deckhand
Word out from the Boys in Blue.
Since 2007 Canada has req’d licensed engineers on tugs over 1000HP LANDING in Canada. Tugs just passing thru are exempt. (For Now, maybe)
Hasn’t been enforced on US tugs, but the letter that came out 26 Oct says to start manning your tug correctly, you have one year to comply.
Looks like a bunch of Canada admissible, 4000 DDE’s will be required soon
Not a US req, but Transport Canada’s
[QUOTE=Tom_Tugboat;87775]Word out from the Boys in Blue.
Since 2007 Canada has req’d licensed engineers on tugs over 1000HP LANDING in Canada. Tugs just passing thru are exempt. (For Now, maybe)
Hasn’t been enforced on US tugs, but the letter that came out 26 Oct says to start manning your tug correctly, you have one year to comply.
Looks like a bunch of Canada admissible, 4000 DDE’s will be required soon
Not a US req, but Transport Canada’s[/QUOTE]
Have you read the USCG Policy letter from 1 NOV that deals with this?
Can someone post that policy letter please? Thanks!