Chouest said that they were comming out with new boats from mid Aug to early Sep and would be doing some hiring then.
Morning all! Just got hired on as an ETO with HOS! Pretty damn excited! Had been applying everywhere since May with no luck at all. Got in the car and drove over and had 2 offers the first day. Iām new to the offshore world so Iām nervous and excited all at the same time. Wish me luck! Thanks for all your help folks!
Morning all! Just got hired on as an ETO with Hornbeck. Got home from Afghan in May and have applied daily to everywhere, mostly RigZone, with not even a single call back. Jumped in the car, headed for New Orleans, and got two offers in the first 24 hrs. So yes, itās def worth making the drive and going for it. My buddy that came with, got on as an AB for Hornbeck the same day. I am totally nervous and excited all at the same time because this is my first time into the Offshore world. But after being away from the family for the last 4 years and only coming home a total of 4 months this should be a breeze. Thanks to all yāall for your info you have given on this forum.
[QUOTE=BigFuzzyBush;143398]Morning all! Just got hired on as an ETO with Hornbeck. Got home from Afghan in May and have applied daily to everywhere, mostly RigZone, with not even a single call back. Jumped in the car, headed for New Orleans, and got two offers in the first 24 hrs. So yes, itās def worth making the drive and going for it. My buddy that came with, got on as an AB for Hornbeck the same day. I am totally nervous and excited all at the same time because this is my first time into the Offshore world. But after being away from the family for the last 4 years and only coming home a total of 4 months this should be a breeze. Thanks to all yāall for your info you have given on this forum.[/QUOTE]
congrats on the new job.
Iām going to assume that much time in Afghanistan was on Active duty, or at least supporting the American effort in a direct way.
Thank you for your service and your ridiculous screen name.
All we need now is an avatar to go with it.
[QUOTE=BigFuzzyBush;143398]Morning all! Just got hired on as an ETO with Hornbeck. Got home from Afghan in May and have applied daily to everywhere, mostly RigZone, with not even a single call back. Jumped in the car, headed for New Orleans, and got two offers in the first 24 hrs. So yes, itās def worth making the drive and going for it. My buddy that came with, got on as an AB for Hornbeck the same day. I am totally nervous and excited all at the same time because this is my first time into the Offshore world. But after being away from the family for the last 4 years and only coming home a total of 4 months this should be a breeze. Thanks to all yāall for your info you have given on this forum.[/QUOTE]
If you are getting hired as an ETO, I certainly hope that was the first and last time you forgot to secure the breaker first.
[QUOTE=Johnny Canal;143423]congrats on the new job.
Iām going to assume that much time in Afghanistan was on Active duty, or at least supporting the American effort in a direct way.
Thank you for your service and your ridiculous screen name.
All we need now is an avatar to go with it.[/QUOTE]
Howās that for an avatar? 
Sorry for the double post, canāt get it to delete 
Oh and to answer your question about Afghanistan, I was an I-Level Contractor doing Counter Remote Controlled Electronic Warfare (CREW) for all branches of the military that used our particular equipment. Signal jamming in a nut shell.
Can anyone tell me; is hornbecks office in Covington where I can apply in person?
Yes. Covington, LA.
Excellent thanks!
[QUOTE=AlaskaMariner;143150]This is my 6th attempt to post on gCaptain, maybe this time it will get posted.
I had the pleasure of staying at Miss Claudetteās B&B. Her place is clean, comfortable, centrally located to all the companies, and as an added bonus, affordable! I had made the mistake of staying at a hotel for over a $100 dollars a night until I found her brochure and called her on Monday afternoon. I am very fortunate that she had room for this knucklehead! I highly recommend you do as she suggests and check into her B&B at 1500 on Sunday, and if you are planning your trip like you should be (I didnāt), make reservations at least a week ahead of time, or you run the risk of her not having rooms available.
Since I checked in on Monday evening, I missed out on vital briefing information that she provides to mariners. Luckily for me, she spent some extra time and provided the information to me anyway, even though she likes to get that out of the way at 1500 Sunday check in. Miss Claudette is very helpful and efficient, and when she speaks to you she is knowledgeable about the companies and the area, so pay attention! She helps mariners every week, so make sure you bring a notepad to the briefing.
Mariners, if youāve never stayed at a B&B before, hereās some things to keep in mind. Be respectful, this is not a hotel where you come and go at all hours, this is her home. I try to keep my room cleaner than I keep my own - in other words - be the exemplary shipmate. Finally, you will need the whole week. Sometimes it takes a whole day just to visit two companies, due to long waits in the reception room, time wasted finding the locations for the first time (google maps makes errors here), and if you are lucky, being granted a formal interview, etc.
It was a true pleasure staying at Miss Claudetteās B&B and getting to know this kind, delightful lady. When I go back, I will surely stay there again.[/QUOTE]
It was truly a pleasure having you as a guest at my B&B.
Things worked out best for both of us.
Since you ended up staying a little over 2 weeks to take the Basic DP class in Gray at āThe Maritime Training Instituteā it gave us more time together.
You were able to get the vital info you needed the following week and during our walks in the evening.
Yes, on Sunday afternoon, after everyone has checked in, I do provide a complimentary service for guests that are staying at my B&B for the week.
I spend an hour or 2, with all of the mariners at the same time, going over much helpful information and questions they may have.
I believe āknowledge is powerā and everyone should be prepared.
I cannot spend this time with everyone individually, so plan your trip accordingly, if you want this info.
Although, I do not charge anyone for this, I do ask for respect in return.
Keep in mind, that if you are interested in getting this information, I ask that you check in on the Sunday between 3:00 and 4:00 (no earlier or later, please)
As always, I provide a discounted rate of $65/night which includes a deluxe continental breakfast.
If I can be of help to any of you in providing nice, affordable lodging while āKnocking on doors in Louisianaā going to school at ECO training center in Galliano, Maritime Training Institute in Gray, or LE Fletcher in Houma, please email me at claudettelp@charter.net, PM, or call (985) 537-6773
Wishing you all the very best!!!
Claudette L. Pitre
A Chateau on the Bayou B&B
3158 Hwy 308
Raceland, LA
Website: www.achateauonthebayou.com
Iāve just started looking around down here, getting familiar with where companies are and so on. Something Iām sure I can find out from prospective employers but I figured Iād ask here as well, is how do people from out of state get from the airport to the port in the most cost effective manner? Thatās a long drive in a cab! Hopefully there are rental car companies with a facility in both locations, or a direct shuttle?
Most companies have rentals set for pick up at MSY for crew changes. The off going crew uses them to get to the airport.
Thatās a bit of a relief. Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully if I find a gig itās with someone running a program like that
Most of the smaller companies will not provide transportation to/from the airport, and I recall one company that charged a guy $100 to have a driver take him to MSY on crew change. Pretty crappy if you ask me. There is a car rental place at the GM dealership in Golden Meadow so you could rent a car from MSY to Golden Meadow and have the crew pick you up there. Not sure how much a one way rental to Golden Meadow is though.
Some companies have a regular van run to an from their office to the airport. There is always someone passing by the airport on their way to and from work. Youāll get where youāre going donāt worry. Concentrate on getting the job the rest will work itself out.
There are many OSās coming down, lately, that are wanting employment at ECO, HOS, Harvey Gulf, and some of the other larger companies.
Unfortunately, they are misinformed on what is needed, before coming down.
To be CONSIDERED for employment onboard their vessels, one must posses a valid Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC or ZCard) and a valid TWIC card.
If you have STCW95(BST), it MAY INCREASE your changes to be considered for hire.
If you have VPDSD(V1/6), it MAY INCREASE your chances to be considered for hire.
OBTAINING THESE DOCUMENTS DOES NOT GUARANTEE A JOB OFFER.
For more information on how to obtain these documents, please contact the USCG 888-427-5662 for schools that offer STCW95(BST) and VPDSD (V1/6) classes.
And, just recently someone called me to come down and did not have his MMC, only his TWIC.
Although, I advised him to get this before coming, he listened to his friend, and came down anyway.
He learned that there are only a FEW companies that would take someone on with just that.
The few companies were some that I had never heard of.
He is struggling this week to make it happen.
I hate to see anyone come down and waste money b/c they are so anxious to get here.
Do as much homework as you can before coming down.
Donāt just listen to everything someone tells you.
Knowledge is power.
Remember, just because a company did not hire a particular position one day does not mean they wonāt be hiring it the next day.
You have to be able to sell yourself.
That HR person has to like you and want you to be a part of that company.
There is a lot of competition.
Hiring takes place, everyday, at these companies.
Wishing you all the best.
Claudette L. Pitre
A Chateau on the Bayou B&B
Hello this is great info you have put out here. I live in Jacksonville Florida. I came down to Louisiana the beginning of August and it was a unsuccessful trip. I applied to a few places down there but never heard anything back. When I went to ECO, the HR person that interviewed me said she liked me and she put the recommendation in for me but at that time she said they just had went on a hiring freeze a couple of days before I got down there in August. I was very disappointed after making that long drive. I have thought about coming down there a 2nd time next month to try again because when I was down there t ECO the hr person told me the hiring freeze should only be until October. I really want to go the engineer path. I currently have a MMC with OS, WI, and SD endorsements and I just received my STCW/BST endorsement. I am prior Navy but I was a communications specialist. I didnāt do deck or engine room so although prior Navy I donāt have mariner experience. My church member just got hired on at ECO in July and he is the one who told me to come down and apply to ECO which was somewhat successful except they had just went on the hiring freeze. Iām just really trying to get my foot in the door and make my career from there. Iām a very quick learner and hard worker. I just want to get somewhere and gain some experience because Iām currently working 2 call center jobs and Iām just tired of the office jobs that pay barely enough to survive. I want something more challenging and adventurous. I want to get back out to sea and make a good living. I really donāt believe I went through the trouble of obtaining these credentials and documents for nothing. I also have a TWIC card and Passport. Thank you for your time.
[QUOTE=ddash79;143903]Hello this is great info you have put out here. I live in Jacksonville Florida. I came down to Louisiana the beginning of August and it was a unsuccessful trip. I applied to a few places down there but never heard anything back. When I went to ECO, the HR person that interviewed me said she liked me and she put the recommendation in for me but at that time she said they just had went on a hiring freeze a couple of days before I got down there in August. I was very disappointed after making that long drive. I have thought about coming down there a 2nd time next month to try again because when I was down there t ECO the hr person told me the hiring freeze should only be until October. I really want to go the engineer path. I currently have a MMC with OS, WI, and SD endorsements and I just received my STCW/BST endorsement. I am prior Navy but I was a communications specialist. I didnāt do deck or engine room so although prior Navy I donāt have mariner experience. My church member just got hired on at ECO in July and he is the one who told me to come down and apply to ECO which was somewhat successful except they had just went on the hiring freeze. Iām just really trying to get my foot in the door and make my career from there. Iām a very quick learner and hard worker. I just want to get somewhere and gain some experience because Iām currently working 2 call center jobs and Iām just tired of the office jobs that pay barely enough to survive. I want something more challenging and adventurous. I want to get back out to sea and make a good living. I really donāt believe I went through the trouble of obtaining these credentials and documents for nothing. I also have a TWIC card and Passport. Thank you for your time.[/QUOTE]
Keep on trying.
Just 'cuz you show up once, twice or even three times doesnāt mean you will be hired. In 1987 unemployment in the Bayou was 17% and boats were stacked 3 deep (at least). There were no jobs for anyone then. Times are a whole lot better (for) now, and you appear to have the correct paperwork. There are many more companies besides ECO, so make a list, plan a route and hit 'em all. If youāre coming over from Jax you pass a bunch just getting to Galliano.
Make sure you have a haircut and are presentable along the way, be persistent and it will happen eventually.
Remember - you are entry level and not every job is entry level, and such jobvs are not always open, so it is a timing thing. You sound determined and have the right ideas, so keep that good attitude.
Good luck. Youāll get there if you are attentive.
[QUOTE=ddash79;143903]Hello this is great info you have put out here. I live in Jacksonville Floridaā¦[/QUOTE]
Maybe you can find something in the JAX area to get your feet wet? Crowley and HMS Global Maritime might have something there. Keep an eye on the MSC website they hire ex comms/ops folks.
Yes I applied to the MSC Any entry level position that opened the week of August 18-22nd. I just havenāt heard anything yet. Thanks for the info.