I took my SIU apprenticeship exam a little over three weeks ago and passed. They told me to wait and an email with the next steps would arrive within 14 days. It never did. I went by the hall on the way to work last week and they told me to just wait a little longer.
Is this normal and I’m just worrying over nothing? I apologize if this is a stupid question. Learning as I go here.
I waited nine months to be accepted into a class at Piney Point. That was 50 years ago. Be patient and if you have your papers, I would stop by the hall as often as possible and take any Group III or open board job you can get. Be sure to have your bags packed. The apprentice program is a slave labor, screw job in my opinion. Class 177 - SHLSS
Well, i have my MMC, TWIC, med cert and passport. Only thing missing is the ship security and STCW training.
I could probably come up with the $1100 for the training. The problem is getting off work for 5 days for it without getting let go and I’ve been hearing it takes months for a C book in SIU to get work with no experience. Its honestly the main reason I’m trying to get to Piney Point
With your current credentials you already have, there are many options at hand for you. If you are in the Northeast, you could apply to one of the Northeast tugboat companies (Moran, Reinauer, Vane Brothers, Dann Towing, McCallister, Carver, Haugland, Norfolk Tug, River Associates etc). If in the South, you could apply directly to Crowley (East Coast Boats are SIU), or dare I say it, apply at one of the offshore supply companies in the bayou (Chouest, Hornbeck, Harvey, Otto Candies, Seamar, etc). With the scheduling, you can earn decent pay and accrue time off where you can attend any maritime classes you need, and time to join SIU and wait to get onto a ship. The apprentice program is great, but not the only option to get in with SIU.
I’m in Mobile, AL. I’ll look into that for sure. Most of the inland companies turned me down. I’m 40 so I’m guessing it was age. I don’t blame em.
I’m not working today because of the snow and ice down here (trucker) so I’ll get on it now. The ultimate goal is to go deep water.
Look into the MARAD ROS ships. You won’t go anywhere and the money isn’t great. BUT! The operating companies will quite often send you for needed training.
Awesome i didn’t know that. I’ll look into it.
Those MARAD ROS ships are SIU (for the unlicensed).