# I’ve been working for a small tugboat company for a year and just got my AB. What should my next step be? **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [March 8, 2023, 2:45am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558 "2023-03-08T02:45:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ransomedagger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@ransomedagger](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ransomedagger)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 2:45am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/1 "2023-03-08T02:45:04Z")
I’m 20 years old and this has been my first “real” job I guess. I’ve gotten enough sea time and obtained my AB special, but this company does not pay for ABs. Where’s my best bet? ---
**Author:** ![Ea\_y\_Money](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@Ea\_y\_Money](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Ea_y_Money)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 3:24am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/2 "2023-03-08T03:24:57Z")
I suggest that you not focus on your next step until you have an idea about the second step… Do you have any idea about what you want to do? Continue to the bridge? Stay on deck? Work long hitches? Work foreign? My point is that you need to explore the long game and think about where you want to end up… Get some ideas on that, and the “next step” question might answer itself. Deep sea, oil patch, wind service, dredging, salvage, tugs, Alaska… there are many different routes… There are many different types here on this forum, so ask some questions about where you can go. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![jdcavo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jdcavo/32/108_2.png) [@jdcavo](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jdcavo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 11:36am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/3 "2023-03-08T11:36:48Z")
If you’re thinking of going to Mate or Master of towing vessels, and leaving where you are, look for a company that has “Designated Examiners” on stakk who can sign the “TOAR” you will need for Mate of TV. ---
**Author:** ![Bayrunner](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/bayrunner/32/966_2.png) [@Bayrunner](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Bayrunner)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/4 "2023-03-08T15:50:46Z")
What do you mean “does not pay for ABs”? They just have one pay rate for deckhands? Or they don’t pay for the school? Get hired on at a bigger tug company as an AB. Learn your trade, learn how to be a good deckhand, then decide where you want to go from there. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 4:15pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/5 "2023-03-08T16:15:03Z")
Do you want to stay there and move up? Do you want to stay doing that kind of work? No one can tell you how to proceed unless you know what you want to do. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 4:15pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/6 "2023-03-08T16:15:58Z")
> [@Bayrunner](#): > > What do you mean “does not pay for ABs”? They just have one pay rate for deckhands? My guess is it’s this option. Inland tugs aren’t required to carry ABs so no inland company I’m aware of pays you extra for having one. ---
**Author:** ![LI\_Domer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/li_domer/32/768_2.png) [@LI\_Domer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/LI_Domer)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 4:48pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/7 "2023-03-08T16:48:10Z")
Just go to a bigger company, even if it’s a deckhand job first. Then go be an AB at that company. ---
**Author:** ![txh2oman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee59a6/32.png) [@txh2oman](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/txh2oman)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/8 "2023-03-08T18:59:34Z")
I know of several tug companies that pay AB $100/day more than OS. Some tugs are in fact required to carry an AB in some circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/9 "2023-03-08T19:05:17Z")
> [@txh2oman](#): > > I know of several tug companies that pay AB $100/day more than OS. So do I, but I don’t know of any inland tug companies that **aren’t required to carry ABs** that pay ABs any more money. > [@txh2oman](#): > > Some tugs are in fact required to carry an AB in some circumstances. True, and I wasn’t talking about any of those companies. ---
**Author:** ![SteamerCook](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/steamercook/32/52170_2.png) [@SteamerCook](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SteamerCook)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/10 "2023-03-08T23:14:27Z")
Everybody on the Great Lakes is looking for ABs. I can personally recommend Interlake, Great Lakes Fleet/Keystone and Lake Michigan Carferry . > **[Shipboard Employment](https://lcaships.com/shipboard-employment/)** > > Shipboard Employment Opportunities Lake Carriers’ Association has no role in the hiring of mariners. Our members either hire directly or through union halls. The U. S.-flag Great Lakes fleet typically has a number of job openings during the shipping... ---
**Author:** ![silverbk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@silverbk](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/silverbk)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 9:38am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/11 "2023-03-20T09:38:44Z")
You can get on a bigger tug for more money, or you can start studying for the apprentice steersman exam. ---
**Author:** ![Slick\_cam1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/slick_cam1/32/817_2.png) [@Slick\_cam1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Slick_cam1)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 11:27pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/12 "2023-03-20T23:27:42Z")
Pretty sure G&H offers a small pay bump for AB/Oiler. ---
**Author:** ![txh2oman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee59a6/32.png) [@txh2oman](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/txh2oman)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 12:16pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/13 "2023-03-21T12:16:33Z")
G&H does. Currently OS/Wiper is about $270 and AB/QMED is $375. McAllister NY OS is $250, AB $350. ---
**Author:** ![Tugboater203](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/tugboater203/32/14108_2.png) [@Tugboater203](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Tugboater203)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 2:29pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/14 "2023-03-21T14:29:29Z")
Reinauer in NY is at $411.21 for ABs and an additional $50 per day for travel. ---
**Author:** ![Slick\_cam1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/slick_cam1/32/817_2.png) [@Slick\_cam1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Slick_cam1)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 5:06pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/15 "2023-03-21T17:06:28Z")
40% pay increase for AB/Qmed, that’s good incentivisation. ---
**Author:** ![WaveGhost](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/waveghost/32/34573_2.png) [@WaveGhost](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/WaveGhost)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2023, 1:03pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/16 "2023-12-27T13:03:13Z")
Inland companies do infact (in NY Harbor and up the hudson) do pay $100 or more for A.B.'s ---
**Author:** ![Wasforkandblade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Wasforkandblade](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Wasforkandblade)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/i-ve-been-working-for-a-small-tugboat-company-for-a-year-and-just-got-my-ab-what-should-my-next-step-be/65558/18 "2024-01-09T18:12:32Z")
We’re out here for the pay but there are other factors that could potentially lead to even bigger paydays. If on tugs, find a company that has a mate training program and as someone above mentioned has designated examiners. When advancing to a deck license, having a TOAR just pads your resume. If you are moving tank barges, by all means go and get your Tankerman PIC endorsement also. If moving over to OSV’s, a company that has their own school, like Edison Chouest (list of courses can be found on their website under training), can save you thousands on the OICNW classes needed to advance, as well as a path to obtain an unlimited DPO endorsement. The added tonnage of an OSV compared to tugboats will also be of benefit when wanting an unlimited license. Also, working for companies that are union, particularly with an SIU contract, gives you the advantage of taking the classes they offer for free. A little sacrifice in money or time now, can pay off greatly in the very near future.