I am changing careers. Forty years building large construction projects. Up to $90 million in P&L responsibility with supervision of over 200 men per day.
Always wanted to work on the water so I went to Sea School and acquired a 50T Inland Masters and a 50T Near Coastal Mate and OS.
I have age against me (58) and understand that I’ll spend some time as a deckhand and mate to prove my worth and wash off some green. On the other hand, I’ve had a lot of responsibility. The annual dollar volume of one of those projects is bigger than 99% of the businesses in the U.S. and they don’t turn you loose on one of those unless you’ve demonstrated the requisite leadership, responsibility etc. (Not patting myself on the back, btw, just taking an assessment.)
Quickest career path looks to be offshore rather than tug/barge.
Apart from the normal approach of knocking on doors, any recs on how to approach the operators? Will the ratings help or is this a true start from scratch operation?
The only thing that mattered in the paragraph was the OS rating. Did you also get StcW. Start applying to all the small companies. Age is a number here. Proving yourself is what matters. Your responsibility out here will be over a 10$ Bucket of paint and your bunk room.
On the other hand do you really wanna go from having been a construction foreman in charge of 200 workers to scraping paint and painting every day. If so then power to you. I’d definitely suggest getting your BST, it’ll help your employment opportunities and you’ll learn more about the Maritime world in the process.
Like they said get your BST and go door to door. They can care less about what you’ve done in the past( not saying what you have done is not worth anything) but all they care about is what credential you have in hand and of they need to fill that spot.
With the licenses mentioned you will be ‘stuck’ in small boat markets, possibly crew boats, small launches, tourist day boats, fishing boats or dinner boats (small ones)
If you want to go OSV or tugs you will have to get a job as a deckhand for a couple years to get requisite seatime to get a bigger license.
You truly are starting at the bottom. Don’t worry about your age, it isn’t about how old you are, but what you have done today that makes you advance in this industry. It isn’t about what you SAY you’re gonna do, but what you got done that matters. You may find a good company to work with on small vessels. There are some out there. But, typically the larger vessels pay more. and have better benefits and compensation all around. Good Luck
In my previous years I have hired quite a few guys like you that were looking to make a career change who wanted to truly do what they love. Age doesn’t matter as long as you’re willing to put in the effort and realize you will be working under someone considerably younger (more than likely) than you. You will need to get accustomed to a paint brush, mop bucket, cleaning toilets, etc… Being a deckhand is a cross between a maid and manual laborer. Make sure you get Basic Safety Training (BST) and take as many courses as fast as you can to upgrade. This is one of the few industries that moving up the ladder solely falls on your shoulders and can be done as fast as you would like (for the most part).
Get hired on, be reliable and learn as much as you can. You will do just fine.
Question about BST - I read something on the STWC website that says that OSV requirements for a BST are different than the requirements for non-OSV. Have you heard anything to this effect? Thinking that OSV is the way to go right now. Shooting for a 100T then on to a 200T.
Looks like the tug and barge - unless it is offshore work - will take too long to get the ratings I need.
Starting over doesn’t bother me. Tallyho.
[QUOTE=Saltine;130895]In my previous years I have hired quite a few guys like you that were looking to make a career change who wanted to truly do what they love. Age doesn’t matter as long as you’re willing to put in the effort and realize you will be working under someone considerably younger (more than likely) than you. You will need to get accustomed to a paint brush, mop bucket, cleaning toilets, etc… Being a deckhand is a cross between a maid and manual laborer. Make sure you get Basic Safety Training (BST) and take as many courses as fast as you can to upgrade. [B][U]This is one of the few industries that moving up the ladder solely falls on your shoulders and can be done as fast as you would like (for the most part.)[/U][/B]
[B][U]Get hired on, be reliable and learn as much as you can. You will do just fine[/U][/B].[/QUOTE]
Not sure if there are different requirements. If they are different OSV will be less. Just get the regular BST, that’s what is standard for almost all the industry. Why limit yourself with an OSV only cert?