this may be a long shot because most posts I’ve seen are from several years ago but I recently received all my credentials (TWIC, MMC, MEDICAL CERTIFICATE, PASSPORT) and I don’t know where to start looking for jobs. I don’t really wanna do MSC because I already know my debt would be a potential issue for security clearance ($15k car loan) and I don’t have any experience to work many other places. I don’t mind paying for STCW and VPDSD classes to get into a company, I just need a little advice on starting up.
A car loan won’t disqualify your clearance, I have a whole lot more debt than that, car/house/boat plus an HELOC and had no issues at all, it never even came up.
Having said that some of the OSV companies hire OS’s. I know Edison Chouest does and I believe pay is competitive and you could utilize their school to progress to AB.
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Virtually all of the tug companies are hiring. 90% do not require any STCW.
It would not hurt to take a STCW BT class that includes Lifeboatman. Some companies prefer that even if it’s not required. It also shows that you are serious.
Once you have 120 days (12 hour days) you can test for AB Special and AB OSV. No further exams, just more seatime all the way to AB Limited and AB Unlimited.
When job hunting make sure to highlight your cooking ability.
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Thank you
Stop by nearest SIU hall.
Two different courses. most “Lifeboatman” courses are called by the STCW term, proficiency in survival craft. If it’s only to work on tugs, better to take the “limited” course for vessels w/o lifeboats.
If I were a young OS, and unsure of where I might be working over the next couple of decades, I’d spend my money on the PSC with the full Lifeboat class with no restrictions.
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Congratulations on getting your credentials! That debt wont affect getting hired at MSC, they need bodies, and they need them now.
All the job boards, even non-maritime focused ones like Indeed and LinkedIN have postings for entry level. Visit or call an SIU hall, they may be looking. And finally, just google “Marine or Maritime Jobs” the industry needs people. Good luck!
MSC is crazy understaffed right now, a $15k car loan is nothing. People have student loans which dwarf that amount. I can’t tell you how many people who come on board with crazy amounts of credit card debt. To get a clearance, the important thing is that you’re completely honest on your SF-86 and you’re not a dual citizen. You might get a debt limit on the travel card, but tbh the travel card sucks ass anyway and nobody uses it.
Are you looking to go deck, engine, or supply? What state are you located? When I got in, MSC was holding hiring events. If you look online, there might be a hiring event near you.
You probably don’t need STCW and you definitely don’t need VPDSD.
I have all my credentials (MMC with OS, Wiper, FH), Med Card, TWIC, and Passport… I managed to get a job offer for a ferryboat in TX but because it is not liveaboard I would have to move there (wife said no), so I need to find a liveaboard job where I can be home on my off rotation… I am on waitlist for SIU UA program, and I have applied for MSC. Tried a few tug jobs, all thanks but no thanks… kinda now stuck in the waiting game.