And here we go with DP…DP is not ship handling! Manually maneuvering the vessel into the dock or any other close quarters situation is boat / ship handling. By far the best “boat handler” I have ever seen was a 200 GRT Master, Tug Boat Captain. He could stick a 50,000 bbl. double skin barge into a berth between two barges with only feet between the barge ahead and the barge astern in 30-40 knots of wind and 3-4 knots of current in the Delaware River. He used to say " you have to lead her like a quail". That’s boat handling and by god he didn’t have an Unlimited Masters License. So the point is you don’t have to have the paper to be a good or great ship handler! And as far as the “twirp” comment, I won’t even stoop to your level of ignorance. Your reputation precedes you!
Don’t unlimited masters of ships let pilots dock them all the time?
Yes unlimited masters use pilots to to ships, as well as usually at least one tug. The pilot usage is however not upto the master it is a requirement based on tonnage. I know on my osv whe working in brazil we were required to have a pilot. The pilots are not there as much for maneuvering but as they have much more intimate knowledge of the port, since many ships do not always run to the same ports. But there are many masters who do have pilotage for various us ports. The pilots are also just advisors the master is still in command so it’s not like the master just gets to kick back and relax once the pilot is onboard.
There is no sense in arguing with the good c.captain he is wicked awesome. You see “pardnur” I didn’t have to draw I sat and watched you shoot your self in the foot trying to get it out of the holster. Unlimited license means unlimited arrogance and ego. Which is funny considering people like us have to sign you off as a new hire and vouch for your “skills” no matter your bonafides. It’s cool though I’m sure you are really a good guy in person. By now others understand the point I was making and you illustrated it perfectly. I enjoyed the witty repartee with a smart guy such as yourself. Thanks for playing!
[QUOTE=CoastalDPO;61933]Your reputation precedes you![/QUOTE]
It does indeed…the highest rating given and only shared here with one other member. I am also the member with the 2nd greatest number of total posts, but of course I am a fraud and know nothing of what I speak.
btw, I’ve towed as master on the west coast and have my MOTV endorsement so know all about crabbing barges into tight spots (without tailboats to boot) although I have never had to handle a tandem tow but once sailed with a master who could catch two barges, first one on one side of the tug and the 2nd barge on the other. It was shiphandling poetry to watch.
you can bow and scrape again now
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[QUOTE=Fraqrat;61938]I enjoyed the witty repartee with a smart guy such as yourself. Thanks for playing![/QUOTE]
I love to play the game here and never tire of it so let’s keep dancing shall we as long as the music is playing?
I call BS on you painting every deepsea mariner with the same tarred brush that we are all arrogant SOBs without any vessel handling skills. This is of course true for a few of us (certain KP masters come to mind) but not ALL! I have worked both deepsea and workboats throughout my career so can swing both right and left handed and can drive z-drive. rudder, and even single screw direct reversible without tugs! How many of the world’s greatest shiphandlers in Fourchon can say they can drive those? I have in Alaska…1700hp slow speed Nordberg in a 340’ high sided fish processor w/o a thruster coming alongside tramp reeferships at anchor yawing all over the place in gale winds. Makes a 300’er with two bow and two stern thrusters in Halliburton slip child’s play.
But obviously I am not capable because I am not some mammal killer from South Louisiana or Lower Alabama. Your resentment against us unlimited mariners is palpable in Fourchon and I can only summise that it is because the OSV guys like you want that whole place to yourselves and why complain? OMSA is making damned sure that you will always be the chosen mariners by their LaFourch mafia companies. They don’t want us there either because we aren’t captive to them and their regressive way of treating their employees. That lovely swamp you get to live in.
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I never meant all just most and I know the amount of guys in the world who are skilled enough to do it all are few and far between again my point was the arrogance exhibited when hiring on and since I don’t know you well enough you may be as good as you think you are you definitely seem type A enough to have the skills to pay the bills and I say good for you and I hope more people like you come in to the industry like I said i have no fear of having my job taken by a real “professional” with an unlimited license and you already proved my point when you worked tugs was there a separate barge you towed just to be able to take your ego everywhere you go
Oh yeah and I have no doubt OMSA and the boat companies will work the system to their advantage but I think some of that has to do with keeping the carpet bagger union people away from here as a former union member I’m all for keeping them away the condition are not bad and the pay and benefits are excellent and I always feel I can be my own advocate instead of paying some other people to do it for me
The best unlimited shiphandlers in the world are on the Great Lakes. You won’t see anyone there taking a pilot or tugs while they do things with 1,000 ft ships most people would think is impossible. Of course no one sailing ocean would ever give them any credit.
The fact that a separate class of license exists for OSV’s is in my opinion just like an ITB. It’s functionally no different, there’s no reason for it to exist, but it does so someone can play by a different set of rules.
Never sailed on or worked with Great Lakes people so I can see those guys not getting any respect as well definitely a tricky area to sail with the WX as crazy as it gets up that way
If I want to get a 3/m unlimited license, wouldn’t I have to have at least some time on an unlimited vessel?
[QUOTE=Fraqrat;61967]Oh yeah and I have no doubt OMSA and the boat companies will work the system to their advantage but I think some of that has to do with keeping the carpet bagger union people away from here as a former union member I’m all for keeping them away the condition are not bad and the pay and benefits are excellent and I always feel I can be my own advocate instead of paying some other people to do it for me[/QUOTE]
Speaking of benefits. What does family health insurance cost the employee nowadays in the Gulf per month? What is the co-pay and maximum out of pocket expense for one year in the average health plan? What is the 401k co-pay, dollar for dollar up to 10% or some other amount? Instant vesting in 401k or wait 5 years? Pension?
Just curious.
Nope I have two QMED’s onboard right now that most of their time is on tugs and OSV’s under 3000 itc and they are approved to test for 3rd motor unlimited tonnage and horsepower, DDE unlimited, Chief engineer OSV any HP 3000 itc. That is not a fluke or a special concession or any of that there are hundreds of guys all over deck and engine ratings getting the same approvals it’s all in the CFR’s
Tengineer- off the top of my head my family plan monthly is $400-$500, co-pay is $25, deductible $1000 per individual maxed at $3k per year, 401k matches 6% vested 5 or so years, employee stock plan is 15% off lowest price at beginning or end of period, before the spill we were getting 10% of gross pay in stock with a 3 year vesting wait we are hoping if we have a good year maybe they will bring that back, the rest is the usual dental and eye plans last time I switched companies I shopped around weighing a few more dollars in day rate against brand x insurance, with the younger guys they would be more concerned with training and upgrades so I guess “good benefits” is in the eye of the beholder
Well instead of debating this on here, ill let the uscg figure out what upgrade I can get when I apply for 2/m and 1600 master
There you go, try one of the licensing services they are usually ex coasties who know the stuff better than anyone and can make sure you get what you got coming to you
Getting 3 A/E is different than 3rd Mate. You will have a tonnage restriction on the mate side. Not on the engine side. Just need the hp and must sail as a first assistant to get chief unlimited which you can not do on any of the OSV since you don’t run c/e , 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Nope we’ve had two AB’s go to third mate with no restrictions with majority of their time on OSV’s between 1000 and 3000 itc
I thought you needed time on a ship over 1600 tons. What am I missing here?
[QUOTE=Fraqrat;61981]Tengineer- off the top of my head my family plan monthly is $400-$500, co-pay is $25, deductible $1000 per individual maxed at $3k per year, 401k matches 6% vested 5 or so years, employee stock plan is 15% off lowest price at beginning or end of period, before the spill we were getting 10% of gross pay in stock with a 3 year vesting wait we are hoping if we have a good year maybe they will bring that back, the rest is the usual dental and eye plans last time I switched companies I shopped around weighing a few more dollars in day rate against brand x insurance, with the younger guys they would be more concerned with training and upgrades so I guess “good benefits” is in the eye of the beholder[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the update. I haven’t been keeping up with the benefits in the patch for awhile. As a comparison. The drilling companies and contractors I work with, some of which have fewer employees than the larger OSV companies provide their employees with family medical, dental and vision for around $225/month. The deductibles are about the same. 401k varies but it is normally dollar for dollar match up to 6-10% of salary, some match less of course. Vesting is either instant or 3 years. Many companies do not offer a stock option. Of course they also pay equal time and some pay 125% for time worked over. Everyone needs to figure the TOTAL compensation when comparing jobs and companies. Perhaps the info you passed along will help other make an informed decision.
Thanks, Tengineer