I am uncertain which path I should take to being a career in Maritime

Maritime Topics Maritime Training & Licensing
#1

Hi,

I am very interested in starting a career in the Maritime industry, but am mixed up on the way to proceed. I have been doing some research and have learned about both MITAGS and SIU training center (Piney Point, MD), both are in my home state. I have also learned of a few of the Maritime Academy’s, but am not certain I can afford it. A little bit about myself; I am 22 years old and not exactly rich. I was thinking of attempting the way of the hawsepipe and from there, saving up to go to school (Texas A&M-Galveston) to attempt a higher license with a degree. What would some of the members suggest?

Thanks,

-Brian

#2

I went offshore for the second time in my life in 1997 to earn some money to go back to school…Well I am still trying to earn some money for school, but now it is so my son can go college.

#3

It sounds like you have a good plan. Hey I’d also suggest considering joining the reserves or the National Guard to get money for school. You can be serving in the reserves not full time, but you’ll still get some great education benefits.

#4

Go to college, get a degree and a license. Skip all the limited license stuff and go full bore, in the end you’ll be glad you did. As for money, get a part time job, apply for loans and do whatever it takes to pay the bills. ( most colleges have a listing of employers that offer part time employment while attending college). Many students have done so in years past. At least in the maritime field you’ll locate a job after graduation and be able to pay back student loans. Attending an academy always gives you some amount of pride, looks good on resumes not to mention a usable degree for life. ( something that may be needed years from now when and if you decide to seek marine employment ashore for whatever reason).

#5

Not bad advice, just spoken like a true ring knocker.

#6

Actually, you assume too much, I’m not a ring knocker. But, I’ve learned it’s better to attend an academy for long term career paths within the industry, in my view at least.

#7

I want to second this! If I had known what I know now and had the opportunity when I was 20 to go to an academy I would have.

#8

[QUOTE=“Xmsccapt(ret);120470”]

Go to college, get a degree and a license. Skip all the limited license stuff and go full bore, in the end you’ll be glad you did. [/QUOTE]

Hawsepiping here, and I completely agree.

And as for enlisting in Natiinal Guard or another reserve component … don’t count on it being part-time or particularly helpful toward civilian education until you ETS.

If you can find a slot in a USAR transportation company that operates watercraft, that might be different.

#9

Texas A&M will give you in state tuition and student loans cover the rest easily! Also their is plenty of work around Galveston for collage students! I will go to school first yhen come out here! But that is just me!

#10

Seconded about there being lots of work on Galveston Island for college students. TMA is a big part of their economy and they know it.

There is a bulletin board in the student center by career services that always has a few job postings. Of course you can go look for jobs on your own (and there are plenty), or if you’re really desperate and/or don’t have good transportation, you can get a job on campus.

#11

simply put, it will take you less time going through a maritime school to get an unlimited license (mate or engineer) and then 1600T master than going the hawsepipe route to get the same thing.

USCG has made it incredibly hard and expensive to get unlimited license. it take lots of seatime to go from OS to limited AB to unlimited AB and then 3/M (and i would imagine same on E/R side).

it may take you as much as 7 yrs to get your license going the hawsepipe route. when you’re not at work you will be going to classes that can be very expensive if you’re paying for them. taking out loans to go to TAMUG maybe not be much different. but you’ll be done in 4yrs and you’ll have a degree.

i say get a short time job on a ship (most likley non-union) or OSV so you can get a taste of sea going like to see if you think that future is worth the investment.

for what it’s worth, avoid the SIU. just not good long term on the deep sea side.

the GOM is probably where the best future is.

#12

[QUOTE=bdweaver09;120437]Hi,

I am very interested in starting a career in the Maritime industry, but am mixed up on the way to proceed. I have been doing some research and have learned about both MITAGS and SIU training center (Piney Point, MD), both are in my home state. I have also learned of a few of the Maritime Academy’s, but am not certain I can afford it. A little bit about myself; I am 22 years old and not exactly rich. I was thinking of attempting the way of the hawsepipe and from there, saving up to go to school (Texas A&M-Galveston) to attempt a higher license with a degree. What would some of the members suggest?

Thanks,

-Brian[/QUOTE]

simply put, it will take you less time going through a maritime school to get an unlimited license (mate or engineer) and then 1600T master than going the hawsepipe route to get the same thing.

USCG has made it incredibly hard and expensive to get unlimited license. it take lots of seatime to go from OS to limited AB to unlimited AB and then 3/M (and i would imagine same on E/R side).

it may take you as much as 7 yrs to get your license going the hawsepipe route. when you’re not at work you will be going to classes that can be very expensive if you’re paying for them. taking out loans to go to TAMUG maybe not be much different. but you’ll be done in 4yrs and you’ll have a degree. i only give TAMUG as an example b/c it’s most likely the
least expensive.

i say get a short time job on a ship (most likley non-union) or OSV so you can get a taste of sea going like to see if you think that future is worth the investment. but having said that there are many facets to the industry. tugs, ships, oil patch, ferries, etc.

for what it’s worth, avoid the SIU. just not good long term on the deep sea side.

the GOM is probably where the best future is.

#13

[QUOTE=Johnny Canal;120521]simply put, it will take you less time going through a maritime school to get an unlimited license (mate or engineer) and then 1600T master than going the hawsepipe route to get the same thing.

USCG has made it incredibly hard and expensive to get unlimited license. it take lots of seatime to go from OS to limited AB to unlimited AB and then 3/M (and i would imagine same on E/R side).

it may take you as much as 7 yrs to get your license going the hawsepipe route. when you’re not at work you will be going to classes that can be very expensive if you’re paying for them. taking out loans to go to TAMUG maybe not be much different. but you’ll be done in 4yrs and you’ll have a degree. i only give TAMUG as an example b/c it’s most likely the
least expensive.

i say get a short time job on a ship (most likley non-union) or OSV so you can get a taste of sea going like to see if you think that future is worth the investment. but having said that there are many facets to the industry. tugs, ships, oil patch, ferries, etc.

for what it’s worth, avoid the SIU. just not good long term on the deep sea side.

the GOM is probably where the best future is.[/QUOTE]

I appreciate your and others responses. It has been very helpful in identifying a direction. Though I can not afford to go straight to college right now, I got a job at DAP here in Baltimore and will try to transfer to the Houston location, so at the least I can attempt for in-state tuition at TAMUG.

#14

[QUOTE=bdweaver09;120795]I appreciate your and others responses. It has been very helpful in identifying a direction. Though I can not afford to go straight to college right now, I got a job at DAP here in Baltimore and will try to transfer to the Houston location, so at the least I can attempt for in-state tuition at TAMUG.[/QUOTE]

no idea what DAP is but TAMUG used to waive out of state tuition for majors that were on USCG license track. and you would be wise to check out SSOP. (looks like you didn’t get the point PR-9 was making about TAMUG tuition)

i know SUNY has out of state tuition waiver for same purpose as TAMUG, but only for certain states. good chance MD is on that list. saw that the other day on SUNY website. assuming it is current.

TMA is still probably cheapest, regardless of residency.

#15

[QUOTE=“bdweaver09;120795”]Though I can not afford to go straight to college right now[/QUOTE]

Anyone can afford to go to college with all the free money out there, especially if TMA still offers in state tuition for license majors. You should be able to get $2,500 per semester in free money from the federal government plus the same amount in student loans. Then add in any scholarships that may be out there for you (there are some pure need based ones) and you are golden.

#16

[QUOTE=DeckApe;120473]Not bad advice, just spoken like a true ring knocker.[/QUOTE]

hey grape ape, what is the point of that? do you hold something against every single person who has gone to college any where for any purpose. and where does this ring knocking BS come from anyway?

it would almost be worth it to have the USCG say all 1600 ton and above licenses going forward are only available to graduates of 4 yr accredited institutions. Hell let’s just say ALL officers of any tonnage/HP rating.

we’ll just be like all branches of the armed forces and the USCG. does that sound fair to you?
how many oil patch sailors would never make it past AB or QMED who are intelligent, capable and responsible with authority? with all activity in the GOM alone it would mean thousands.

if you have / had any kids would you prevent them from attending college or shun them if they did? and dare i say especially if they were maritime academy grads? god forbid.

although you may very well do it, just say something cliche like “shut down KP.”

it’s been said a bazillion times before on here, but one more isn’t going to hurt. there are plenty of good and bad shipmates, engineers, mates, etc. with and without rings in all aspects of life and the the US maritime industry.

#17

[QUOTE=Johnny Canal;120796]no idea what DAP is but TAMUG used to waive out of state tuition for majors that were on USCG license track. and you would be wise to check out SSOP. (looks like you didn’t get the point PR-9 was making about TAMUG tuition)

i know SUNY has out of state tuition waiver for same purpose as TAMUG, but only for certain states. good chance MD is on that list. saw that the other day on SUNY website. assuming it is current.

TMA is still probably cheapest, regardless of residency.[/QUOTE]

I did in fact miss PR-9’s response. I will definitely look into it (Call) at both TAMUG and SUNY; currently looking at SSOP.

Not related…DAP produces and distributes Caulks and various other Sealants, that one would find at a home improvement store.

#18

I saw this recommendation in another post, as well, and will be calling both TAMUG and SUNY tomorrow; to see if they still offer in-state tuition for licensing majors. I definitely need to update my FAFSA information to apply for a Government subsidized loan.

#19

[QUOTE=“bdweaver09;120809”]I definitely need to update my FAFSA information to apply for a Government subsidized loan.[/QUOTE]

Don’t forget pell grants! They are free money! (The application is automatic with a FAFSA, I just want you to keep in mind that there is more out there than loans.)