# Inexperienced OS looking for work **URL:** \ **Category:** Maritime Employment\ **Created:** [May 23, 2025, 5:49am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661 "2025-05-23T05:49:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![j2huggies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/j2huggies/32/56721_2.png) [@j2huggies](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/j2huggies)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 5:49am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/1 "2025-05-23T05:49:49Z")
Good evening, does anyone know of any companies that are hiring for OS Deckhands? Like, actively hiring. I have had my MMC, TWIC, and Medcard for about 6 months and nothing. I have tried Sealift Command and was looking at tug companies to gain experience. ---
**Author:** ![Godawgs12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8edcca/32.png) [@Godawgs12](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Godawgs12)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 12:13pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/2 "2025-05-23T12:13:25Z")
Since you are in MD, Vane would be a good one. Centerline is always looking for people. Kirby has a training program for new deckhands in TX. McAllister, Moran, Weeks, Stansinos, Dann. Just apply to all of them, most important thing is getting your foot in the door and then you can keep applying to go deep sea/msc if that’s your ultimate goal. ---
**Author:** ![Godawgs12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8edcca/32.png) [@Godawgs12](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Godawgs12)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/3 "2025-05-23T13:53:17Z")
> [@Overeducated OS](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/overeducated-os/71725/13): > > Quickest route while optimizing for money(haven’t worked dredges) and time in my opinion would be: > > Apply for AB special with your seatime, tugs don’t differentiate between the ABs for the most part. Depending where you go AB pay is in the 400s now. > > I’d go work ATBs that’ll give you the schedule you’ll want 21/21 at somewhere like Centerline Vane Rose Cay etc… think only Crowley and OSG ATBs do 28/28. You’ll also benefit from the larger tonnage down the road for licensing. > > You’ll only need 127 1.5 days to get to AB-U. > While accruing this time get your RFPNW watch and ASD assessments signed off. You should be able to get STCW Able Seafarer deck as well with the new rules. > > Then you can either > > 1. Try out deep sea as an AB and see if you even want to get your 3rd Mate Unlimited > 2. Become a tankerman(get signed off while working prior to this) and get a nice pay raise on ATBs > 3. Keep working as an AB but move to a better paying/more opportunity outfit and work towards your TOAR and 1600 ton mate at the 720 day mark or also apply for Mate OSV and go work the Gulf. > > You could get to a spot where you could be a mate on tugs in 2yrs since the industry is short ppl. > > Where I work they are hurting for people to move up. Wrote this in another thread may be helpful for you. ---
**Author:** ![j2huggies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/j2huggies/32/56721_2.png) [@j2huggies](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/j2huggies)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 1:41am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/4 "2025-05-27T01:41:31Z")
I applied for MSC (they NFFD me due to my VA disabilities (USCG said I am fit for duty however). I couldn’t do SIU as I need money and they don’t pay you much while you are in the school. I have tried a 2yr program at SUNY Maritime but they denied my application. ---
**Author:** ![steamah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@steamah](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/steamah)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 1:49am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/5 "2025-05-27T01:49:30Z")
western alaska tug companies are getting rolling for their season might want to look into them as they are usually always looking for hands. Delta Western, Vitus, Bering Marine, Cruz Construction, Alaska Marine Lines, Crowley Fuels, Bowhead to name a few. Helped a friend recently get a TWIC and MMC and a week after having it in hand he was flying up to Alaska for the summer. ---
**Author:** ![j2huggies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/j2huggies/32/56721_2.png) [@j2huggies](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/j2huggies)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 2:09am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/6 "2025-05-27T02:09:20Z")
I applied for whatever deckhand jobs I found ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 7:48am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/7 "2025-05-27T07:48:07Z")
“Applied” how? “Found” where and how? Can you cook? Are you telling them? Don’t just look for advertised job openings. Look for jobs at employers whether they are advertising or not. Many employers never advertise. It’s all word of mouth and who shows up at the right time and place. You will have the best luck with small companies that need a warm body on a boat now, and make prompt, practical, needs based decisions. The Seattle based factory trawler fishing companies are hiring processors for “B Season.” It’s a good place to prove that you can work hard and live on a boat for two or three months. It’s a chance to make some decent money, and prove yourself. As you have seen, big companies and unions have a lot of HR process and tie themselves up in knots with bullshit. Big companies will tie a boat up for lack of crew rather than adjust the HR process. Disabled Veteran for what? Hearing loss? PTSD? Bad back? Batshit crazy? ---
**Author:** ![j2huggies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/j2huggies/32/56721_2.png) [@j2huggies](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/j2huggies)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 8:14am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/8 "2025-05-27T08:14:22Z")
Referencing the list that was sent to me that I replied to, I copy/pasted them into google and went into their careers sections and applied that way. Can I cook? I can make spaghetti and mac n cheese, along with PBJ and J. Unfortunately, I do not personally know anyone in the industry. Disabled by means of PTSD and had to have back surgery. MSC loves NFFD’ing veterans apparently. But the USCG OK’d me for service on the water. ---
**Author:** ![Godawgs12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8edcca/32.png) [@Godawgs12](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Godawgs12)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 12:48pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/9 "2025-05-27T12:48:59Z")
Call them as well, especially Centerline. Kirby too since they have a in house training program which they will pay you to attend. That will get some eyes on your applications. As said above it’s a bit of luck of the draw. Where am I we are short people to deck and tank. ---
**Author:** ![Godawgs12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8edcca/32.png) [@Godawgs12](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Godawgs12)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 12:54pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/10 "2025-05-27T12:54:01Z")
New guy at most of these places will be the one who cooks. As others will have said here, a deckhand who is a good cook will have an easier time starting from nothing. ---
**Author:** ![steamah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@steamah](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/steamah)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/11 "2025-05-27T14:41:49Z")
Definitely follow up with phone calls to the list of companies I listed and let them know you are ready to leave today. Sometimes thats all it takes. ---
**Author:** ![j2huggies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/j2huggies/32/56721_2.png) [@j2huggies](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/j2huggies)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2025, 1:32am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/12 "2025-05-28T01:32:47Z")
Many of the tug places I applied to just flat out said no already save for maybe 2 ---
**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:** [May 28, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/13 "2025-05-28T20:41:42Z")
Intracoastal Marine in Chesapeake Robbins Towing in Norfolk Corman Construction in Baltimore ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/14 "2025-05-28T21:27:26Z")
It depends on who you talk to. Try to avoid just talking to office ladies. When you do talk to them, ask: who actually makes the hiring decisions. Try to talk to owners, operations managers, port captains, etc., if you can. ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 9:30pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/15 "2025-05-29T21:30:09Z")
Try Curtin Maritime, a San Diego company but the have dredging jobs going in Norfolk and Baltimore. They are growing fast with quite a fleet of tugs. They hold job fairs and have formal training programs. Their HR is very slow moving. Also, consider starting out working on a dredge. The dredging companies are really busy and always hiring. ---
**Author:** ![Godawgs12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8edcca/32.png) [@Godawgs12](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Godawgs12)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/16 "2025-06-03T19:48:41Z")
Any luck? We are short DHs where Im at. ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/17 "2025-06-04T17:08:49Z")
These days, anyone that cannot find half a dozen deckhand jobs in a week must really have something wrong with him. ---
**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:** [June 4, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/18 "2025-06-04T17:22:53Z")
Maybe not. Some companies have such broken hiring process it’s like pulling teeth to get hired on. ---
**Author:** ![ReformedSailor](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/reformedsailor/32/19539_2.png) [@ReformedSailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ReformedSailor)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/19 "2025-06-04T17:58:04Z")
Norfolk Tug, they were always looking for deckhands when I was there. Do you have any seatime whatsoever? Have you looked into dinner cruises, charter boats etc. sometimes even just a little boat experience will push you over the top when it comes to tug companies. A lot of these places don’t have super large hr departments so you really need to be persistent… ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/20 "2025-06-04T18:16:14Z")
That is very true. HR sucks at larger maritime companies. HR people don’t know how to hire sailors. Sailors do not fit the standard HR mold. It’s much easier to get hired at small companies. Walk in and talk to somebody (with your bag in your car) on a day when they need somebody, and presto! You are hired. [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661.md?page=2)