That’s the truth. The only thing that triggered my new MROP and my new GMDSS being issued was the $60 fee…for each!
[QUOTE=psquiggs;105904]RFPNW stands for “Rating forming a Navigational Watch”. If you have your 3rd mate then you already have a rating as an Officer for a Navigational watch, so you are more than covered. As for the surgery, he will want to see the surgical notes, you can get them from your Doctor who did the procedure.[/QUOTE]
Just rereading some of the earlier posts. I have my 100ton, AB special and Lifeboatman, MROP, MMC phew. Since 100ton is a masters license are they still going to require me to have an RFPNW on top of all that to sail AB?
Im really interested in ECO and HOS for the big company benefits. What companies would you guys B line for if you were a noob?
I see guys bitching about hair follicle tests. Is that for real? I don’t really care because my only indulgence is rum and coffee, but that seems excessive. This country is edging closer and closer to having zero personal privacy, but enough with the politics.
I have my passport on the way, my high school diploma, SS card, drivers license . My STCW is listed on my MMC, do I need to bring the old stcw certificates from the school as well? Luckily i’m relatively young and don’t have any glaring medical issues.
What about employment history? I mean, I’ve been working on yachts for 7 years, but its not exactly very structured, I couldn’t even get ahold of all the previous captains and owners I’ve worked for. I have great references from some wonderful people, but some previous supervisors/employers (which I won’t use for a reference) are either derelicts with criminal records, or scam artist alcoholics. I still worked hard on their boats, put up with 18 hour days and put up with their bullshit, so I feel I should be able to list my experience. I can’t say every departure was amicable. Hell I’ve been working for my own S corporation anyway for the past 4 years, can I just list that?
It is a very unregulated business, which is why I want out. It seems like every jerk off that saw Captain Ron too many times wants to be a yacht captain, yet they have no real experience, just an inflated ego (with a few exceptions). I mean, any business were you have to post a head shot on your resume is a fucking joke, but thats where I got my seatime. Not to mention, its almost impossible for americans to get the really good jobs out of general dislike by others and insurance reasons. Most big yachts are cayman island or marshal island flag, yet most yacht owners are rich americans (something I think is criminal and unpatriotic). All those assholes that don’t like my blue passport can’t get a job in the oil patch so screw them.
I want to sail OS or AB to start with so I can really learn the ropes; I don’t want or expect a wheelhouse job right off the bat. I want to learn how to do things properly from the bottom up. Anyway, hope i didn’t ask too many previously answered questions, i’m just getting a little nervous about forgetting something big and wasting money i don’t have yet! This is going to be a credit card funded excursion if my wife can’t find work this month. I may just have to wait till August for monetary reasons, especially if I need RFPNW which is like a 2 day 700 dollar class here. I’m so ready to go to work!
If it does not say RFPNW in the STCW section of your MMC, with the appropriate STCW code, then you don’t have it.
Given the background you described, my guess is that you don’t have it, and you cannot get it until you gain more experience on larger vessels. You might be able to get RFPNW “look out duties only” after a course, but that’s about it.
The crewboats and small tugs don’t require it. It might be harder to get a job without it, but people do it every day.
Yep, I don’t have RFPNW. Most of the boats I worked on are under 200tons anyway. I guess I’m headed for crew boats judging by what you and others have told me about requirements. In any case that’s fine with me. I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I can’t really afford another fucking course anyway, yet another reason I want to get to the oil patch. Any particular companies I should aim for considering all this?
Pretty sure the bigger companies won’t hire ABs without RFPNW (ECO, Seacor, Tidewater, etc.)
I had a friend back in 2008 who had an AB without RFPNW/BST and still got in with ECO, but he worked as an OS for a while to do whatever he had to do to get it. So maybe one could still wheel and deal an arrangement like that?
[QUOTE=Ctony;107486]Pretty sure the bigger companies won’t hire ABs without RFPNW (ECO, Seacor, Tidewater, etc.)
I had a friend back in 2008 who had an AB without RFPNW/BST and still got in with ECO, but he worked as an OS for a while to do whatever he had to do to get it. So maybe one could still wheel and deal an arrangement like that?[/QUOTE]
OS is fine with me. I simply want to get my foot in the door and collect a steady pay check. I’m just at the point now where I need to decide which companies to focus on. I’m sure more things will become apparent when I get there.
Hands down go to ECO. The best for your situation. Be there on a Monday morning with your documents and have a clear head and you’ll get hired.
My buddy works for Eco and said he wants to leave. He is a mate and said he is just fed up with some of the people. I don’t know if its the crew or office though.
Harvey guys that came on my supply boat the other day The deckhands are getting $400 a day starting today and getting $20 more every quarter this year. BUT the rules over there are more than ever they were telling me. I’ve heard the same for HOS and Eco but have never worked with them for myself, so I can’t tell you for sure.
Went to sure way yesterday with a futon the candy crew boats. He said they have blue cross blue shield and its awesome they are 110% covered but he pays $250 a month for it. As far as pay he said its a little lower than others for crew boats. I work on the supply boats though so I don’t know much about crew boats other than what people tell me.
Harvey guys that came on my supply boat the other day The deckhands are getting $400 a day starting today and getting $20 more every quarter this year. BUT the rules over there are more than ever they were telling me.
So, a year from now deckhands from harvey will be @ 480$ a day? Hmmmmm that is close to a mate day rate already!!!
[QUOTE=“mchuck;107687”]
Harvey guys that came on my supply boat the other day The deckhands are getting $400 a day starting today and getting $20 more every quarter this year. BUT the rules over there are more than ever they were telling me. I’ve heard the same for HOS and Eco but have never worked with them for myself, so I can’t tell you for sure.
[/QUOTE]
What kind of rules. I’m still trying to figure out why Harvey is so bad
Rumor is the Harvey officers will be getting $25-30 a quarter also. I guess when it’s all said and done, they will be up there with Candies. But I also hear people wakk around there on egg shells, worried if they burp wrong they could be fired.
No idea hiw much of that is true, you know how scuttlebutt is.
I’ve heard they are the Bouchard of OSVs but they were as bad since I went there knowing how it is
Great week, here, at "A Chateau on the Bayou B&B in Raceland, LA
3 mariners checked in on Sunday.
One was hired as a 1600 ton captain with ECO going to Brazil; he is in orientation classes now.
Another was hired as an AB/Cook with ECO going to Anarctica; he is in orientation classes, also.
Third mariner is taking RFPNW class at LE Fletcher in Houma, then will go out job hunting.
Another mariner is here for 20 days taking the Apprentice mate steersman class here in Raceland at Lafourche Merchant Marine.
And, yes, I do still offer a discounted rate of $60/night for mariners in search of a job or going to school at ECO training center in Galliano, LE Fletcher (LAMPI) and Falck Alford, both in Houma and Bieir Radio in Belle Chasse.
I do suggest you make reservations in advance, if possible.
Chances are you may get a room at the last minute, but not assured.
If I can be of further help to you, please feel free to email me at claudettelp@charter.net, PM, or call me at (985)537-6773.
As usual, wishing you all the very best.
Claudette L. Pitre
A Chateau on the Bayou B&B
3158 Hwy 308
Raceland, LA
(985)537-6773
Website: http://www.achateauonthebayou.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...21896531157165
Mate pay starts at $650 and goes up from there depending on the company.
If that’s true then most Mates make as much as Captains where I’m working. I think I’ll cry myself to sleep tonight.
Yes but captains where you work probably don’t get laid off or pay cut when it slows down.
Typically not. Pay cut maybe, but they’re not let go.
[QUOTE=Quimby;107764]Typically not. Pay cut maybe, but they’re not let go.[/QUOTE]
When I last worked in the oilfield in the early '80s, a sure sign of a layoff back then was wide spread piss tests
Captains don’t get laid off unless they’re a screw up. There may be a demotion to mate for the middle of the road guys. Paycuts can happen anywhere when times are bad enough. Master pay is $850 and up depending on license, endorsements and longevity pay.
Get good money now while you can and save some. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Working for less at a low pay company now because the company didn’t lay off last downturn, may turn out to be a bad strategy when management (possibly different management) faces a cash crunch during the next downturn, or when Obama orders the next moratorium.