Greetings ~ got my MMC last summer to work on a cruise ship. Not my cup of tea (though I loved being on the fire team). Have spent lots of time on the oceans; have worked mostly in hospitality on dry land. Want to go back to sea. Any suggestions? Very flexible with work schedule and deployment times. Just renewed my US passport.
Thanks for any input.
So are you an OS? I think hiring has slowed down for entry level, but ABs with all the endorsements are in high demand.
Not intending to discourage you, i’m just saying an OS may have to have more patience and persistence to get their foot in the door somewhere.
You interested in ships, tugs, osvs? What is your goal?
Thank you for the reply. I do have the following endorsements: personal survival training, firefighting, first aid and CPR, personal safety and social responsibility, and proficiency in security awareness Do these endorsements give me any added value as a prospective employee?
As an eternally curious person, I want to learn as much as I can. Ultimate goal? To live a remarkable life. Learn new skills, travel, adventure, knowledge.
You seem to be an educated and articulate person that shouldn’t have any trouble finding job(s).
Some employers require BT (your endorsements), and Security Awareness.
You only need six months of seatime (4 months of 12 hour days) to get AB limited. Do it asap.
Try
NatGeo (small adventure cruise ships)
Unicrusies (micro cruise ships in Seattle)
Yachts (Fort Lauderdale, Annapolis, Newport)
Fishing boats
Research vessels
Alaska Marine Highway ferries
Washington State Ferries
Curtin (tugs , crew boats, dredging)
Centerline (tugs)
MSC
The unions.
The oil patch.
@Ctony , hiring has slowed? Please tell us more.
AB Special
Only on tugs and supply boats. Most other vessels still work 12 hour days but get no extra sea time so don’t confuse new people with blanket statements.
I’ve noticed for entry level (OS and wiper) yes…at least at the OSV companies and most tug companies i’m aware of and know people at. An OS can still find a job but its much more hit and miss than a year ago.
To the OP, are you looking to explore while working, or just want a job that provides the time off for vacations/exploring while you are off?
Not sure if OSVs would be good for the OP anyway. Running around the gulf of mexico needlegunning and painting ad nauseum may not be what she’s looking for.
Tugs may not either unless they are sailing int’l and you can get off to soak up some local color. We all know how hit and miss that can be.
1 Like
You indicate you have “time on cruise ship and spent lots of time on the oceans”, are you a member of a Deep-Sea Union (SIU)?
How much of the cruise ship and ocean time is/was documented in deck department (Sea Letters / Discharges). Do you have any documented bridge watchstanding time?
Going along a deck career pathway, there are some gaps for deck department positions that need to be addressed.
46 CFR 11.201 requires that an applicant for STCW must hold the appropriate National Endorsement, unless otherwise specified. Some STCW endorsements do not have an equivalent national endorsement. e.g., Basic Training or VPDSD.
Career Goal Criteria:
Start by developing a direction and a timeline for building you MMC endorsements from entry-level to National and STCW qualified ratings.
The type of credential you receive is based upon your experience which includes the following:
• Total days of service deck department
• Waters served upon Oceans, Near Coastal, Great Lakes, and/or Inland
• Tonnage of the vessels (over 100-ton)
• Position held and related duties (w
Use NMC checklists requirements to obtain a specific credential.
(1) National endorsements for domestic voyages: Lifeboatman and Able-Bodied Seaman.
(2) STCW endorsements for international voyages: Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties (VPDSD); Ratings Forming Part of a Navigation Watch
(RFPNW) require demonstration and record of assessments by an appropriate assessor ([NVIC 06-14](https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO Documents/5p/5ps/MMC/CG-MMC-2 Policies/NVIC 06-14 (Incl CH-6) 20231122.pdf?ver=4N8Or5LsQf6caHOX8mQL6w%3d%3d)); Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC), and Able Seafarer-Deck [(NVIC 14-14)](https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO Documents/5p/5ps/MMC/CG-MMC-2 Policies/NVIC 14-14 (Incl-CH-6) 20231122.pdf?ver=TJiHnuoSvsa2gtVfbamSeg%3d%3d). require demonstration and record of assessments signed by an appropriate assessor.
STCW Sidebar:
Record of Assessment indicates that “Prospective Qualified Assessors (QAs) should have at least 1 year of experience as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on seagoing vessels of at least 200 GRT and/or 500 GT.” The person signing assessments does not have to be approved as a Qualified Assessor" until December 31, 2028. See Acceptance of STCW Assessments Performed by Assessors non approved USCG Qualified Assessors
Union
If you are a union member you may consider checking on available endorsement courses and filling out and submit a training application that support your desired direction.
Without these deck endorsements you will need “patience and persistence” while developing and documenting the appropriate qualifications and experience.
If you are not already a union member then going the deep-sea unlicensed union route then consider looking into Seafarers International Union (SIU), Sailor’s Union Pacific, (SUP), you would need to contact the union of choice to see their specific membership and endorsement requirements.
If you do not have the proper endorsements for a deep-sea position, consider get your foot in the door with possibly employment opportunities on the Great Lakes. USW Local 5000 website provides Great Lakes background employment information.
Also consider other suggested employment possibilities presented in this and other threads that can meet your goal criteria.
Some shipping companies have career webpages that indicate open positions that may interest you.
In summary to reach a “Ultimate goal: To live a remarkable life. Learn new skills, travel, adventure, knowledge. You will need to do the research.
2 Likes