I’m looking to join either AMO or MEBA (this is not a “which union is better” post) having recently upgraded my license. I have always wanted to go Deep Sea, but upon graduating from an academy I simply could not afford to stand by waiting for a job so I hopped on the first opportunity that came along. I have definitely learned a lot on the drillships I have been on, having never gone to port and with the downturn in oil I personally have never witnessed a team of techs come out to do a service for us, we do all our work ourselves. Having said that I must admit that there is something about my co-workers that have sailed Deep Sea that separates them from everyone else on the rig, and I look up to them in a different way than I view everyone else.
I know that there is going to be a lot to learn on my first real ship, and a lot to adjust to.
The main point of this post is to ask: will it be easier to find a job as a 2nd, even if it is my first union gig? I’m simply talking numbers and the fact (I assume) that there are less 2nds than 3rds.
All input is appreciated, and I am aware that going straight to a 2nds spot will come with a steeper learning curve than if I took a 3rds job. I’m going in with humility and willingness to learn everything at whatever speed is needed, and I’d like to think that’s how anyone should approach a new ship regardless of experience anyways.
If we are talking steam plants, yes there are more 3rd engineers than 2nd engineers. On motorships there is usually one 3rd and one 2nd. That said, you should grab whichever job comes your way. On any ship you board there will be a learning curve. The people onboard will usually help you. It is up to you from that point on.
I’m no engineer but what I do know about the differences in the deck side between drill ships and deep sea is that the jobs do not resemble each other. A guy a know described his job as second mate on a drill ship and it sounded more akin to a bosun or super third mate on a cargo ship. Personally, I would get my feet wet as a 3rd to get the lay of the land in your new surroundings first. You will have a greater chance to land a job holding both licenses, but for my money, if I were to jump back over to tankers, I wouldn’t try to get a chief mates job to start out. I’d start again from the bottom because I wouldn’t be able to provide the standard of service I know I’m capable of without first reacquainting myself with the complexities and differences in the cargo or ships. Work, observe, and build yourself a reputation in your new chosen field of expertise. You’ll be sailing First Engineer before you know it if you approach it that way. Just my 2 cents.
I quit the drillships as soon as I got my 2 a/e. The only thing I miss are the guys I worked with. Deep sea has been a lot more enjoyable in every way.
Having the 2a/e going into the union essentially doubles the number of jobs you can take. I wouldn’t turn down a spot as 3 a/e though because building seniority is crucial.
I also wouldn’t hesitate to jump right into a 2 a/e job. Counting tabs for boiler water, and reading the purifier manuals isn’t rocket science.
Depends on what you did on drill ships. I have seen seconds come out here who earned the license standing watch and don’t know how to turn a wrench. Seconds job as well as thirds pop up all the time in the hall.
If you can overhaul a purifier, work on aux boilers, rebuild injectors and fuel pumps then you would be fine taking a seconds job. If you can’t do those things then take a thirds and get more experience
The only problem I have with this type of thinking is that only the careful and thoughtful guys are going to listen. I’d rather they push themselves up into the next position then limit themselves thinking they don’t have enough experience.
Plenty of guys in the union that should heed your advice but don’t listen.
If you haven’t done it before, I think if you are willing to learn how to overhaul a purifier, work on aux boilers, rebuild injectors and fuel pumps then you would be fine taking a seconds job. The manuals are there for a reason plus the experience of those aboard.
I suppose that is one way to interpret what he said and perhaps that is what he meant. But since those with 1st and C/E licenses can and do sail 2nd, that totality (Holders of 2nd, 1st, and C/E licenses) is likely more than those with just a 3rds license.
I recall looking at the license rack during my very first trip as C/E. Five licenses, and all were Chief Engineer Steam Vessels of any Horsepower. The licenses were not indicative of the positions held.
The obvious bottom line is that having a 2nds license gives him more opportunities than having just a 3rds license.
I have 100% been there, when my only role was being the ECR guy with a license, because they need to be manned by an officer at all times. Fortunately I broke out of that and got paired with a great second who loves to work, had sailed deep-sea, and is a fountain of knowledge.
Asides from boilers, I can confidently rebuild, maintain, and troubleshoot all the other equipment you mentioned.
And as with anything, I’m willing to learn and expect there to be challenges even with different versions of equipment that I have experience with
I read it as while there is only one 2nd on a steamboat, there are (or should be) more than one 3rd.
And for what it’s worth, I cannot imagine a career drillship 2nd going to a steamboat as a 2nd and performing the job. The 1st and or chief would spend most of their time teaching him and double checking his work.