I have been out of work for a few years(Disability) due to a head injury. Before that I work about 15 years on boat, mostly small passenger vessels but also on tugs, Freighters and crew boats. Both in the the engine room and the pilot house. At first they told me they would grandfather me in for Master of Towing Vessels but they they reviewed it a second time and said they couldn’t get in touch with the company in the Gulf so I was denied. Probably for the best as I had limited tug experience
I have @1800 sea days in writing. With 90 days of recency I can upgrade to 500 GL master 1600 GL Mate
My license was renewed for continuity only and now I am renewing it for use. 100ton master/AB Any Deck Rating. Radar is now expired too. Twic is still good.
Working mostly on the Lakes and Gulf I don’t have STCW. I will be looking for work as an AB for now. While I prefer working in the engine room (especially on old boats), I don’t feel like starting over with my sea time. So I will end up back in the pilot house, unless there is a good training program that I can use to advance more quickly in engineering.
The VA will pay for me to take industry related classes. What classes might help my chances of employment?
BST is one. Can I take a Tankerman/PIC class and then get the time/ discharges?
I may just go ahead and take whatever is needed for the 500 ton.
Below is most of my work history.
[B]
Captain, Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven, Mi, 05-09[/B]
56 net ton, Traditionally rigged passenger sailing vessel, operated in Lake Michigan and Huron
[I]
[B]Squad Leader, Michigan Army National Guard, Infantry, 2000-09 [/B][/I][B]Deployed to Baghdad 06-07 as a Team Leader[/B]
[I]
[B]Engine Utility/AB,[/B][/I][B] ABCD Marine, New Vessel Deliveries 2004-05[/B]
Worked in the engine room of the new Staten Island Ferries for the deliveries from Marinette Marine to New York, EMD 16-710’s, Diesel Electric AC
[I]
[B]Engine Utility, AB, Pere Marquette Shipping, 1999 and 2004 [/B][/I]
Stood an engine room watch, operated, repaired and maintained equipment, 12-278A Cleveland’s, Diesel Electric DC, also worked on deck in ’99 operating unloading equipment
[I][B]Captain, Windy of Chicago[/B],[/I] [B]2003[/B]
Operated 4 masted sailing vessel, 150 passenger, I did not return the next year due to military obligations
[B]
Unlicensed Engineer, Beaver Island Boat Co., 2001-03 [/B]Operated and maintained engine room equipment, Cat 3512’s, operated unloading equipment, wheelman
[B]
Captain, Diamond B Marine, New Iberia, LA, 1997-98, WInters
[/B]Operated crew boats and push boats, supplying inland oil rigs
[B]
AB/Wheelman/Watchman, Inland Steel, 1997 Fall[/B]
[B]
Traverse Tall Ship Co., Captain/mate/deckhand, 1995-99, Summers[/B]
Other passenger vessels before this.
I am interested in your opinions.