If you have a French name (and can pronounce it the way they do), know a little Cajun history, and learn a few French words and phrases, that should help you to fit in at an old school company like Bo-Truc. You might consider a two week intensive French class before you go. Its been a long time since I’ve been alongside a Bo-Truc boat, but the crews use to be primarily Francophone. Learning to be a deckhand will be the easy part (its mostly sweeping, mopping, chipping, and painting), learning to adapt to the culture shock and fit in will be the hard part.
I don’t know anything about PMI specifically, except that its affilated with MITAGS and the MM&P. So, I suspect that close to 100% of the candidates that have the ability to pay tuition are accepted. By way of comparison the acceptance rates at the state maritime academies range from about 50% to to 88%. Your odds should be very good at PMI.
Minor Cheramie is rolling in his grave right now… I remember back in 96 after a tropical wobble blew through Venice they had high water. The crew from the Botruc tied next to us we’re in the parking lot knee deep in water trying to catch a crocigator. The captain was the ringleader “hey dude run em dis way”. I was like who me? “Mais yeah dude we’ll give ya some”. When I got back to my boat and told my captain he said “all those Botruc guys is like dat dey all from cut off”.
I remember back in the late 70’s I got a job on the C-truc 1 by the office as an ordinary seaman. All the rest of the crew was from some small town in AL (not LA). Still the same attitude. I was definatly an outsider (grew up in FL, moved to TX in 78). I had the same grandfathered license as the captain. I wound up running the boat most of the time just so the rest of the crew could have thier fun (LOL). Things were a LOT different back then (and I miss it a lot of the time).
I recently worked for Botruc. They are a good company and good people. They always did right by me. The company has changed a lot over the last five years. It is not strictly a bayou company anymore. Like most they have started looking further afield to fill bunks. Yes, they still have some “junk” but you can learn a lot on an underpowered boat–things you will never learn on a DP II boat.
Some advice though, and I mean no disrespect, you have obviously let some of the G Admirals get under you skin. You will find more of the same at Botruc. Laugh it off, and you will be fine. Internalize it and. . .they win. Just remember, they go home being them, and you go home being you.
And yes, Botruc is about two years behind in salary. Thing is, only once in some sixty odd years of doing business have they laid people off due to a slow down (and then only to trim some fat) and in the GOM that is a very rare thing and, to many, worth leaving some money on the table.
One last bit of advice: skip posting on Gcaptain unless you really have to or you have something to offer of value. I think you already understand why.
I worked for them for a few years, very nice people to work for. Yes they do have alot of old junk, but a few new builds to. Overall I would say go for it, they treated me well.
