We could well have. I sailed MEBA after school for about a year, then Crowley for a couple, then on that infamous ATB for many years, ending with Belcher. After that with ABS in Houston and Galveston for 10 years, last 20 in offshore/marine insurance adjusting. And thanks for the kudos. I know that many KPers earn their less than favorable reputations. That said, I have many classmates that sailed a lot longer than I did and some that still do. Myself, even though my emphasis on adjusting is energy, and offshore is largely quiet right now, I do some marine claims and still feel that I contribute to the industry.
Iâm thinking the infamous atb and Crowley somewhere. I had a former Belcher engineer from that pidgeon toed rig they had. My Captain in the early barge days was a relative of Mr Hudgins in Lake Charles,port captain at the time, around late 70âs early 80âs. Incidentially, I was in that same storm where Belcher lost that tug and in close proximityâŚI lost my barge for a day or two. It was a bad one.
Do you intend on sailing on your license? If not why go to a maritime school?
Also, you should be able to get the âin regionâ tuition rate at SUNY. Itâs somewhere between in-state and out of state.
Oh, more than likely, then. My last seagoing job was on that âpigeon toed rigâ of Belcherâs (the one that didnât sink). Made coming ashore a bit easier.
No doubt on that coming ashore thing.That engineer I f refer to was Mark Gagliano,Ex Belcher fellow, I believe started out as an electrician. Ended up as a port engineer at OSG/Maritrans many years later⌠Good guy, that had to deal with ABS and other âThingsâ
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Sorry to get of subject, but some very good advise for this perhaps future mariner. Seasoned answers for a tough but rewarding career.
@SeaEagle Thanks for all the replies! I am really divided between going engine or deck. Can anyone give their thoughts
2018 grad from Mass Maritime non-licensed business major also from Philly area. Got into all 3 North East academies for engine with a 3.0 GPA and average SAT/ACT score. Chose to go un-licensed because I wanted to go into the supply chain industry. Graduated in 3 years with multiple job offers before leaving. Every academy will give you opportunities to exceed you just have to make the most of them and dont expect it to be handed to you. Willing to speak offline just lmk.
It should boil down to what interests you. If you enjoy mechanical or electrical stuff. Working on or operating machinery then engine is a good option. If not, go deck. Nothing worse than doing something you donât enjoy.
What is important, is what your major is in addition to your license path you choose. You will want to seek marketable employment after going to sea. Having a good back up plan is crucial. âConâ can perhaps enlighten you, have a chat with him if possible. If you do choose to go to an academy, DO get the license in addition to the other qualifications and studies. It will take appx 4 years, but much more ammo in your pocket.
So if youâre mechanically inclined choose engine, if no choose deck. I donât think thatâs good advice at all.
Sadly at Mass they make you chose your major prior to winter sea-term now so you will not get to experience life at sea unless you chose a licensed major for the first year. There are plenty and I mean PLENTY of people who make the change after sea term to unlicensed and still graduate on time. I do think SUNY/KP offers a business degree with and license unlike Mass so maybe that is something that will be more of interest for you. If you are from the Philly area you will get in-region pricing for both SUNY and Mass at the cost of about 31k/year. That price does not include internship fees (about 3 grand per internship with a requirement of two to graduate) or sea-term fees which I think were closer to 6k per sea term (3 needed to graduate). Make sure you reach out to the Port society of Philadelphia they offer scholarships for students looking to go to a maritime academy
What would you guys recommend between the 6 state Academies for both deck and engine respectively.
Most people in this thread are graduates or have worked closely with graudates. They will all be biased as will I. In the end you really cant go wrong at any of the 6 academies. Being from PA. I would focus on SUNY/MASS/MAINE.
SUNY - Bronx (close to Manhatten)- Half regimented (not everyone wears uniform)
Mass - Cape Cod (dead in the winter) Boston (Hour away fun on weekends) - Full Regiment
Maine - Nothing - Half Regimented
My son chose logistics as his major, in addition to obtaining 3rd mate license.He chose to sail and liked it. Was less than 80 days from obtaining 2nd mate when a medical condition thwarted that. His back up plan kicked in, he is now an asst port director in a major east coast port in the container business. As âConâ said, reach out locally (and nationally) for scholarship money, you have the grades to go almost anywhere you like. But like I said, be marketable with your degree if sailing doesnât work out.
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That is not a good paraphrase of my reply. If you enjoy doing that sort of stuff, engineering could be a good fit. If not, donât do it. The opportunities going âDeckâ are more wide ranging than just standing a watch on a bridge.
If you donât care for my advice, fine, come up with your own. The OP gave no indication of his interests or capabilities. Bottom line, donât do something you donât enjoy. Many have said go engine because there are more opportunities. That may be true but I have run across far too many people who wished they had made different choices.
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I just looked it up and realized that they went back to a 1600 point SAT scoring system so thatâs not as bad as I first thought. I am a little surprised that with a GPA that high your SAT is only 1100, you should take it a few more times and try to bring it up. (Maybe 1100 is better now than when I took it so maybe my assessment is off.)
@Capt_Phoenix , Do you think I can get into one of the academies with these stats?
You could probably get into any of the state schools and very likely KP. I would say raise your SAT score and shoot for KP since itâs free. Your extra curriculars go a long way as well but you didnât mention what youâre involved in.
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