How many oil patch mariners are sitting at home, waiting for a call?

Very true, shipyard guys, Engineers, and the former Captains, have hands on knowledge, that can’t be duplicated in a class room. As for time on boats, I do know of at least one coordinator, when he started out last year, was required to spend x amount of days onboard, and spent maybe 9 days or so on one of his new boats? Maybe it wasnt an office thing but maybe the Manger, a former Captain, wanted to make sure his coordinators spend time on board. Cannot speak for the other divisions.