Unfortunately I expect those who hate DJT to turn this into another “Hating on DJT” thread & it will be shut pretty quick. But I don’t want to hear anything about DJT on this thread. Someone asked me the question in the thread titled today & I found it interesting. How much would it take for me to jump on a ship in the Persian Gulf & sail it through the Strait of Hormuz to deliver oil to the world? My first answer was not for any amount of money. Then not for $100,000 US. I’m not suffering financially & don’t want to be killed chasing a bonus. I have a USCG CE Unlimited but maybe I would take the job for a 1 million dollar bonus? Probably less, $500k, depending on how many escorts? Legitimate question for my fellow US mariners. How big of a bonus would it take for you to get some guts & sail an un-escorted (or escorted) tanker through the Hormuz?
I would do it for a dollar if Trump is onboard as well.
500 k usd and Melania in my cabin 24/7.
But it is only an offer “ for my fellow US mariners “ with USCG license.
What a pity others have been arbitrarily excluded as not worthy the privilege of runing the blockade.
If Donald and Melania were chained to the monkey island and there were no escorts I would do it just for grins.
None large enough. I’m done being shot at.
Because of Donald Trump and the religious zealots in his administration and in the higher echelons of the DoD who started this war, I will probably never even return to the Middle East again. Which is a shame because the gulf states are/were super nice.
If I were still single with no family to think about… $100k tax free would be enough I think. Now though? At least $500k and in the case of death or dismemberment an annuity for my family that equaled my annual wages until my kids are over the age of majority.
The bonus is for us to enjoy while I’m alive, the annuity is for when I’m not. 
This is all moot though when MARAD and USCG finally look at our MMC applications and see that little check box that some of us marked yes.
“No shipping, no shopping!”
Why do we need a bonus when we are winning so much?
I think jbtam99 is about right, $500k tax free with D&D Annuity.
Last night I said $500k escorted, $1M with only luck as protection. But after seeing the pictures in the gCaptain article below this morning my bone spurs started acting up. I’m out.
I am rising to 1 mil hoping that Melania puts me on fire and cause me to explode.
Inflation has kicked in since the “Tanker War” in the 1980s.
I was offered USD 10K as Master on a tanker for a single trip from Dubai to Kharg Island and back to Fujairah anchorage.
No I did NOT make the trip. I valid my life and concern for my then young family at a lot more than that. (Invaluable)
PS: I had just completed an assignment as MWS for a rig tow from Bombay to Jebal Ali and on to a location in UAE waters. (US-flag rig)
… or put you on fire then blow you out!
(oops, naughty)
Forgetting the fate of your ship for the moment, in the cost/benefit analysis, what is the probabilty being attached to the personal risk of serious death or injury?
I would have to think that the likelihood was fairly low even considering the obvious perils.
shhhhhh… Lemmie get my $500k here man. 
It’s the cargo, and to a much lesser extent the iron. Plenty of guys would do it for the same day rate they’re getting now. Stories of being offered $ to go are stories.
Nothing. It’s either nothing or jail time if I remember correctly. Yes, I am talking about that “yes” mark practically all of us put on paper when applying for the first “z-card” or “red book” or whatever.
Jail time? Relax. Selecting the “MARAD Voluntary Outreach” box does not lead to jail time. You might get a call, decline and poof, thats it.
I swear. Mariner rumors. We love to keep each other in line perpetuating myths.
If I were on a ship stuck on the other side I would do my duty & sail wherever she went. But no way in heck would I fly to Saudi & jump on a ship to go through the strait. For me, with my risk tolerance & where I’m at in life, no amount of money could get me to go. My going to work JSEA/Risk Matrix would require me to do a Stop Work & stay my ass at home.