My son’s math scores were quite high. His writing and english scores were not stellar. The numbers this fellow has will not have any trouble getting into any state academy… And yes, retake SAT with a little studying beforehand. “Seadog” gave some nuggets of good advice. I told my son before he chose his major what I would do, but it was up to him, what he was comfortable with. His reply was he wanted to see where he was going, and not confined in a box. There were declining opportunities on deck, but still opportunities. Do what you feel is best for you. It worked out just fine for him. I drove boats for quite a few years, but found myself in the engine room from time to time helping my motorheads.
So he had 9 months of seatime on his license. I think that qualifies him as an “inexperienced 3rd Mate”, not almost a 2nd mate. Chevron only hired a mate on my tank vessel with a different tanker company after 3-4 years seatime as 3rd Mate while he holds a Chief Mate unlimited.
But in all seriousness MARAD is cracking down on people who try to go shoreside before fulfilling the service obligation. Only apply to KP if youre willing to sail half the year at least 5 years.
Oh Mr Oakley, you are a tortured young man. He was requested back by every captain he sailed with over the two years he was able to sail. As a cadet the trips he sailed cumulatively for the year required, he took the wheel every chance he got, and did so while sailing commercially. And was in the running for a pilots job locally before his medical condition showed up. You sir, are one of the fellows that gives reason other gentleman to question the viability of Kings Point . Good for you you have a job with Chevron, I hope all the officers on there are not as pompous as you seem to be. I warned my son not to be like that.
9 months of sea time and a year as a cadet is an inexperienced 3rd Mate. Period end. Sandy Hook Pilots is accepting applications for apprentices with just a B.S. degree required. A liberal arts major from NYU could be in the running for a “pilots job” and probably is. Ask any serious tanker captain whether he considers a 9 month 3rd mate experienced or inexperienced. Chevron takes about 3 years seatime or more to upgrade from 3/M to 2/M. Most 3/Ms on tankers hold 2/M already. Even MSC takes 3-4 years (and most of it is seatime) for Permanent Promotion from 3/M to 2/M.
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Again, you are a tortured soul. I agree to a point, but to suggest he was dodging his commitment could not be further than the truth. He wanted to sail. Green out of the Academy, I agree. His work ethics were above and beyond. He was 80 days away from qualifying for 2nd Mate, agree. It didn’t mean he would get that job, but would have had the credentials and experience to perhaps fill it if it became available. Broke his heart to be that close, and a brain tumor stepped in the way. He has recovered quite nicely since the operation and has kept up his commitment to the Navy reserves. He is a Lt who trains SSO officers. He also coaches wrestling and football at our local High Schools in addition to his job at the port. If you sir can do that with the shit sandwich he was handed I applaud you. Otherwise, go screw yourself. To the original poster, have a back up plan.
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Not to take this off topic but I know 2 guys (Captains) that sailed after having a brain tumor removed. One lost hearing in 1 ear from the surgery. The other lost sight in 1 eye due to the tumor pressing against the optic nerve.
Seadog, I have sailed with more than a few Captains that had similar maladies, but that was a while back. The anti-siezure meds are a problem with USCG and DOT. MSC let him go because of his seizures before he had the operation, first seizure actually happened while he was in the pool at their office while waiting for his next ship. He is coming up for renewal, perhaps Mr Cavo can shed some light on his situation… He is on meds now to prevent more seizures, so far so good, no problems. He is in a good place now, not the money he was making by sailing, but pretty good spot with opportunity to advance because of a good backup plan that KP gave him the opportunity.
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Nope. I don’t (can’t) get involved with pending or likely to be forthcoming applications, and I don’t opine on stuff I’m not fluent in. That includes medical as I am not a medical type. All I can offer is he should review the Merchant Mariner Medical Manual and be prepared to provide what ever tests or information it specifies for his condition. I believe there is some discussion of seizure disorders and waiver eligibility, including the type and frequency
Told him the same, and to be honest on his application. Thx for responding Mr Cavo. I and my son have delved into all of this and let the chips fall where they may.But above all, don’t hide anything. He is in a good place now. Back to the subject of original poster, be truthful on your applications, the rest will take care of itself. Your GPA is qualifies you for many opportunities.
Not too shabby regarding tuition and a decent job afterwards. The other state schools are similar in their costs. KP is not entirely free, but as other posters have said, GIANT bullshit to go thru.
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To “Oakley”. My son drove the ship in a certain port quite a few times, not the AB. He was asked by the pilots to apply for the 5-7 year apprenticeship. Got passed over for obvious reasons on his first app… They asked why he didn’t apply after the first time, and his former teammate (an engineer) who is a full pilot now. Not sure about your career moves, but this guy had a plan. Chevron must love you. Good luck.
Look we get that you’re proud if your son, but Oakley is right about the license in hand being different than holding the position. Your son didn’t even get 2nd Mate. And time as a cadet onboard doesn’t really count for anything. A cadet is another mouth to feed that can’t chip paint right but probably thinks he should be standing his own watch. Finally, being asked to apply to an association by a pilot or two is a different story than even getting into the apprenticeship. Again, we’re glad you’re proud of your son, but ultimately, he had less than a year of real sea time.
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I don’t disagree,he was asked and it was encouraging. He is just fine where he is at due to unforeseen circumstances because he had a backup plan. Which I was telling original poster is important in your educational choices. Perhaps sharing a real life experience will help others.
@Capt_Phoenix I am on the football team and I have a job working at CVS during the off-season. It’s not impressive in terms of extra curriculars. Also, what is a good back up option?
It depends upon the individual and the situation. Under the right circumstances a fresh third mate can be converted to a valuable crew member, both on deck and in the wheelhouse, in a single 90 day trip.
Coming from a maritime family is a big leg up as well, going to go to work primed to be paying attention.
One of his team mates, an upper class man sailed in the engine dept. Applied to the same association after sailing a couple of years., just finished his apprenticeship. My son applied just before graduating, I knew he would not get selected because he was too green. But he was interviewed, got to know the process and got his name in the pot. Was asked to try again when the next round of apprentices were being taken in. Who knows if he would’ve been selected, anybody’s guess. I know what the odds are, but unfortunately, this brain tumor showed up before that time came and and at one point he couldn’t even drive to work. His major was Logistics and serves him well. That was his “Backup Plan”. We have had no issues since his surgery almost a year ago. The anti-seizure meds, he will be on them for quite a few years. He was not “Dodging” his 5 year commitment. Some do, unfortunately, and they are checking a bit more now. Ironic thing though, one of his jobs in the Navy reserves was to check on that very thing with SSO. He is meeting his requirement by being employed in a maritime related industry, Fingers are crossed as he is up for renewal, let the chips fall where they may.
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Make sure you have marketable degree if you do go to an academy. Just cheap insurance if you find yourself on the beach for whatever reason, retirement, bad health, family, etc. I retired quite some time ago, Wasn’t looking for a job and can assure you there is not a big market for retired Tug Captains without a degree.
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Is almost a second mate, as he originally said. If you want to argue that second mate licenses are issued to relatively green deck officers that’s a different story. (That’s even more true of the 1600 ton Master crossover from second mate that’s still allowed for some unexplainable reason.)
All he said was his son was “almost a second mate”, meaning he almost had enough time for the license. I’m not sure what’s so controversial about that.