This thread is in reference to ALL prospects seeking info on workboat jobs, employment, training, and all other “i’m new to the industry questions”.
I dont want to offend anyone with this thread, but i wanted to just throw in a few tips. I am relatively new to the industry myself, but have learned a great deal from doing research outside of this forum PRIOR TO posting questions about something that has been asked/answered many times already. ( having to repeat themselves over and over gets aggravating.)
utilize the available search bar at the top of this page. You will find what you seek 99% of the time or atleast info to lead you in right direction.
Also, google is awesome as well as tugboatjobs.com and workboat.com
as of right now, finding jobs in this industry right now is difficult to say the least. My advice is too apply, submit resumes, and just try to meet as many people as you can and be persistant.
if you are able to, and if you have no experience, try to take some entry level courses, i.e.; deckhand orientation course ( a school near me offers this course), STCW ( you dont HAVE to have this, but it doesnt hurt), maybe take a rules of road course, etc…
know that all of the experienced members here are a wealth of knowledge, and will help if you are willing to help yourself.
The job market right now is very competitive so anything you can do to make yourself more marketable is a big help. STCW Basic Training at a minimum, even if the job doesn’t require it sets you above others. Maybe consider lifeboatman as well as an extra credential. It’s not possible to get into the industry right now with no capital investment.
Just completed my stcw and AB/PSC in the last month. I was able to use my sea time from my diving business boat. Didn’t realize i could do that, but it worked. I’ve learned a good deal from researching and just talking to people in the industry. Went to my first job fair today in Virginia, so i’ll see what happens. I just decided to make the above thread to help new people with info that has worked for me.
I realize your intent, I was just confirming what you were saying.
Also, you said “STCW” (I’m assuming Basic Training) is not necessary but that’s not true. On Inland boats it is not required but even on tugs it’s required if the vessel goes offshore.
Note: be wary of courses that aren’t USCG approved for anything (STCW or USCG ratings). If in doubt search here or ask before paying money. I’m not sure how much help a course like “deckhand awareness” would help in a job search. Western River towing companies might like it while no other company cares one way or the other. Also, double check anything the schools tell you. I had a deck hand who let a school convince him he needed to get a 100 ton license before he could get any other license. He took their 100 ton Master/200 ton Mate course only to find out his new license was worthless at our company and that in a few more months he could have sat for his 500 ton Mate license and didn’t need any of those others first.
I’m just gonna throw this in because : google is not always the best solution for some ,i live in Alaska and when i google something i don’t always get the info i want
eed , it has to do with the servers and their DNS listings
few weeks ago i started searching acronyms on google that i had seen posted here [mariners love them acronyms] NMC was the only one that came back correctly and it was the third down on the list
[QUOTE=exodus;184125]I’m just gonna throw this in because : google is not always the best solution for some ,i live in Alaska and when i google something i don’t always get the info i want
eed , it has to do with the servers and their DNS listings
few weeks ago i started searching acronyms on google that i had seen posted here [mariners love them acronyms] NMC was the only one that came back correctly and it was the third down on the list
just saying[/QUOTE]
You’re saying that if you use google in Alaska, you get different or fewer results than in the lower 48?!? Just wondering.
[QUOTE=Lee Shore;184129]You’re saying that if you use google in Alaska, you get different or fewer results than in the lower 48?!? Just wondering.[/QUOTE]
pretty much useless results , i switched to “duck duck go” and get better results but still of not much use
IP is Alaska Communications ,they rent servers from somewhere not in Alaska to boot
I guess your location does make a difference. I’m in Singapore and when I Google NMC on my mobile the National Maritime Center doesn’t even appear on the first page. I don’t know how much it varies in the US but Alaska could easily be a strange beast.
Just for the heck of it, when you use google to search in another country, use Google.us to be sure and get on the correct page. I was in Europe last year, and the standard search page is tailored to that country. (.sp, .fr, .it)
When I’d want to look something up from back home, I made sure to use the .us from Google. Otherwise I’d be sifting through pages trying to find something specific. Gets old fast when you are using a phone.
Also, you said “STCW” (I’m assuming Basic Training) is not necessary but that’s not true. On Inland boats it is not required but even on tugs it’s required if the vessel goes offshore.
Yes i meant BST. I thought it was only for foreign going vessel? I learned something new…im still getting used to all the different requirements.
BST is what i meant. Still confused on all the different rules involving STCW and RFPNW. I just took my BST with firefighting but cant add it to my MMC until i get RFPNW. Atleast thats the way i understood it.
[QUOTE=mkorman75;184145]I just took my BST with firefighting but cant add it to my MMC until i get RFPNW. Atleast thats the way i understood it.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=mkorman75;184145]BST is what i meant. Still confused on all the different rules involving STCW and RFPNW. I just took my BST with firefighting but cant add it to my MMC until i get RFPNW. Atleast thats the way i understood it.[/QUOTE]
You can add it. Fill out a CG 719B, send in with copy of certificates. No fee. They will send a sticker to add to your book
[QUOTE=catherder;186201]You can add it. Fill out a CG 719B, send in with copy of certificates. No fee. They will send a sticker to add to your book[/QUOTE]
To use it you will need a valid medical certificate. If you don’t have one yet, or if you have one and the (2-year) STCW expiration has passed, apply for that also (you will likely need a new physical). If you do not currently have any STCW endorsements in your MMC and have not renewed in the past 2 years, you may not have a medical certificate yet.