How to lose $72,000 in one day or the state of the oil market as seen by an amatuer

Maritime Employment
1

Okay, so I am not a professional writer or researcher, but I wanted to pass along some information I learned last week that might help others.

My journey began right here on GCaptain a long time ago. I spent countless hours reading forums, getting advice, and making the decision to get my licenses and endorsements from the Coast Guard. I had a maritime background in the military, an AB license, a small boat Master and Mate license and my bags packed. With that knowledge I thought I would be a great candidate to work on a supply or crew boat in the oil patch in the Gulf of Mexico. And partially I was right, but my timing was terrible.

If you read GCaptain at all, you know roughly the top 5 stories right now are about falling oil prices, oil rig shut downs, and the glut of oil now thanks to oil export rules and OPEC production. Needless to say, NOT a good time to try and find work as a deckhand in the Gulf of Mexico.

But, I knew I had a try anyway. So with my license in hand, my bags packed, and a three page list of companies to see everywhere between New Orleans, Lafayette, and Port Forchon, I headed for South Louisiana for a two week door knocking trip.

Things started off bad right away. I met with one big supply boat operator who spent an hour with me discussing the state of market. Over the next few days, his wisdom was proved over and over again. It seems most of the smaller companies are parking boats right now. Take a trip to Port Forchon and you’ll see them parked 4 and 5 deep. The bigger companies are moving boats out of the Gulf of Mexico to places like Brazil and the North Sea. Even one very large supply boat company (you know who I’m talking about) showed me a two page list of current employees they are trying to find spots for.

So what does this have to do with $72,000??? Three things: one, there are still some jobs out there, two, persistence pays off, and three, you better know you’re ready to go and not just THINK you’re ready to go.

Let me explain. At the end of the first week, I got my first call back. It was with a very small outfit (5 boats) that did more stuff than just direct oil field supply work. I went into the interview positive and ready to work. I was offered an AB position on the spot with a start date in two days at $300 per day (Or $72k over 240 work days in a year). All I had to do was go pass the physical. After drug screens, medical checks and x-rays, everything seemed OK. That was, until the MRI…yes an MRI for a deckhand spot. It seems I have a pinched nerve in my neck that I didn’t even know I had. I was then told that without clearance from a neurosurgeon I couldn’t work on a boat. The job offer (and the $300/day) was then rescinded right on the spot. I never even got to the agility testing because of the MRI results.

So, to make a long story short, my three year dream of working in the Gulf of Mexico is over. I’m probably going to just throw my license away since it’s worthless anyway. But, I just wanted to pass along this information so others planning on door knocking know what to expect.

The good news is that many of the companies are looking for good AB cooks and electronic techs. Also, I want to point out that this report is from the point of view from the deckhand level. I can’t comment on the big license employment outlook, so please don’t take this as an all encompassing market report.

Good luck out there.

2

Christ Almighty. It was only one physical. Get over it. Go find another job.

Louisiana is one of the few states where anyone can buy an MRI machine and contract any quack doctor to read MRIs. Louisiana is the only place where I’ve seen small buildings on the road advertising MRIs. I know several guys who were very worried after flunking Louisiana MRIs that went to specialists for follow up only to discover that there was absolutely nothing wrong with them.

I do not think employers are allowed to do, or can afford to do, preemployment MRIs in most other states. I’ve worked everywhere for many years and I’ve never had an MRI. Outside the Gulf, most companies do not even do xrays or strength and agility tests.

Just go find another job.

3

Go get a clearance from a neurosurgeon. That’s what I did when a quack bayou doc made a fuss about my spinal fusion surgery.

Problem solved.

4

I wish something could be done about the quack doctors in LA. It seems like they turn away hundreds of qualified healthy guys over some BS reason. The CG needs to have a standard physical that all companies have to go by.

5

[QUOTE=Bayrunner;147464]I wish something could be done about the quack doctors in LA. It seems like they turn away hundreds of qualified healthy guys over some BS reason. The CG needs to have a standard physical that all companies have to go by.[/QUOTE]

Absolutely. That is how it is in the much of the world. As long as you have a valid Seaman’s Medical, that’s it. There are usually no company physicals. One of my Canadian friends tells me that the companies in Canada must accept any seaman with a valid seaman’s medical, and the companies are not allowed to make any further medical inquires or examinations. That’s how it should be here.

The fact that the Louisiana companies do not need to advertise for help, read resumes or emails, or call people who have applied, but can just hire whoever happens to be sitting in the office, and then flunk up to half of them with excessive physicals just goes to show, that money talks and there is no shortage of Mariners.

6

The worst part is I just got off active duty in September and was released by the military doctor as fit for full duty. I am even still serving in the reserves. I am willing to travel and open to suggestions as to where else I can work as an AB and make the same kind of money as the oil patch? And yes, I am working on getting clearance in the meantime.

7

[QUOTE=Bayrunner;147464]I wish something could be done about the quack doctors in LA. It seems like they turn away hundreds of qualified healthy guys over some BS reason. The CG needs to have a standard physical that all companies have to go by.[/QUOTE]

If Louisiana had a department of labor [they don’t] perhaps you could ask them about these quack inspired physicals. There is a LA workforce commission that administers unemployment and things like that but Louisiana is a “right to work” state so as an employee you have no rights except those provided by the US government which is administered by…
I see no way the USA will adopt a standard such as Canada and other countries have regarding mariner employment and physicals. The USA will continue to have the same requirements as other third world oligarchs. IF I received a quack diagnosis from some roadside MRI that cost me a job and later was cleared by an actual qualified doctor I would consult an attorney about recovering damages from the quack. As much as we like to hate lawyers they are the last line of defense for the average person which is why the people that run the country want “tort reform”. They want to take away your last gun so to speak.

8

[QUOTE=Bayrunner;147464]I wish something could be done about the quack doctors in LA. It seems like they turn away hundreds of qualified healthy guys over some BS reason. The CG needs to have a standard physical that all companies have to go by.[/QUOTE]

we’re talking Louseyana here…there absolute worst state in the US of A when it comes to rights for workers (or even potential workers)! YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS AT ALL AGAINST JOE BOSS IN THAT STATE AND JOE INTENDS TO KEEP IT THAT WAY!

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[QUOTE=tugsailor;147465]The fact that the Louisiana companies do not need to advertise for help, read resumes or emails, or call people who have applied, but can just hire whoever happens to be sitting in the office, and then flunk up to half of them with excessive physicals just goes to show, that money talks and there is no shortage of Mariners.[/QUOTE]

AMEN BROTHER…and that is why Joe Boss will never ever change a single way he operates…as long as the STOOPID UNWASHED IDIOTS out there accept the piece of silver they get tossed they have NO rights on earth to force anything to ever improve for the workers sake. YOU TAKE HIS MONEY AND YOU PLAY RIGHT INTO JOE’S HAND!

.

9

Weird. I had one company’s podiatrist look at my cardiogram and tell me I had a heart anomaly. This came as quite a surprise to my doctor (a real doctor) who did the follow up. They told me my choice was to either seek out a cardiologist or seek employment elsewhere… which is exactly where I went. Keep looking GoPSR.

10

It’s way easier to get a job out here on the West coast, the pay and benefits are ok. Typically way less BS during a pre employment physical. But be warned that if your prone to seasickness you may not want to work offshore on the Pacific Ocean. Good ass beatings are very real winter and Sumer.

11

There are MRIs on the west coast too. But then again I am working for a GOM company, just not in the GOM. The last 9 out of 11 potential new hires in my location didn’t make the cut either. Luckily for me they weren’t doing it for pre employment when I got hired. I could have a bad back and not know it, like most other people.

Haven’t heard of any tug companies doing them though. Don’t give up hope. You can still make 72000 if not more with an AB ticket working somewhere other than the GOM.

12

Yes, please trash your ticket. You’re right, it’s no good. If you get your feelings hurt over one rejection, give up that quick then expect some pity, you don’t need to work on a boat.