Possible career change... industry insights wanted

Professional Mariner Forum
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A friend is a Chief Engineer on a OSV and has been trying to convince me that I need to leave my good job to come out with him on a boat in the Gulf.

The deal is that he will take me under as a sort of apprentice and help me through. He says a guy like me can advance quickly through the engine room. Things are changing in my current career, and I’m not sure I like the direction. I have never stepped foot on a large working boat.

So, I’m here asking about the history of this industry regarding layoffs and work shortages (cyclical work?)… I am also inquiring as to the future of this industry. If I decided to make the switch, I understand that I would need to work as a deck hand for 6-8 months…

What is the starting lay for a deckhand on an OSV… My friend did not know, he did have specifics on pay with other ratings / certifications. I am just starting the process to get a TWIC and MMC, so I have several months before a decision has to be made. I am just researching things right now.

PS… This is with a large company.

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[QUOTE=NewMariner;111036]

So, I’m here asking about the history of this industry regarding layoffs and work shortages (cyclical work?)… I am also inquiring as to the future of this industry. If I decided to make the switch, I understand that I would need to work as a deck hand for 6-8 months…
.[/QUOTE]
You figure this out and let us know. Everyone would like to know. It is always been feast or famine in this industry. You never know when the next round of layoffs occur.

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Layoffs depend on the company you work for. Some try hard to never lay off, some do it too quick.

You won’t start as a deckhand. You will start as a wiper, probably around $160 a day depending on who you work for.

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[QUOTE=brjones;111056]You figure this out and let us know. Everyone would like to know. It is always been feast or famine in this industry. You never know when the next round of layoffs occur.[/QUOTE]

So, does that mean that there is a history of layoffs or cyclical work? Or not? I can’t seem to find much information either way…

So far, it seems that the lath that has been laid out for me is Wiper -> QMED -> DDE 4khp -> Chief Engineer (OSV). Ultimately, when I am finished, my goal would be, Chief Engineer Unlimited… Anything else I should look in to?

$160/day is a pretty steep pay cut in the meantime… Gonna have to work some things around.

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You can start as a wiper in the engine room with ECO at $190/ day, and be at $280 in 6 months as an oiler. Publicly traded companies tend to lay off more frequently. All the companies in the Gulf are building boats and the forecast is good for the next decade from my perspective. Chouest is building 30 new vessels 300+ft of all types. Other companies are on similar quests. Good luck!

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[QUOTE=“Bigpuddie;111093”]You can start as a wiper in the engine room with ECO at $190/ day, and be at $280 in 6 months as an oiler. Publicly traded companies tend to lay off more frequently. All the companies in the Gulf are building boats and the forecast is good for the next decade from my perspective. Chouest is building 30 new vessels 300+ft of all types. Other companies are on similar quests. Good luck![/QUOTE]

I thought we were at 210 for wipers and os’s now. Damn good starting level wage! I used to work for 83 a day only a few years ago.

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Os deckhand at Eco is 190$ a day. Wiper is 205$. And you may need to start out Asa deckhand before they put you in the engine room. Just depends on what’s available at the time

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[QUOTE=Tampamariner;111175]Os deckhand at Eco is 190$ a day. Wiper is 205$. And you may need to start out Asa deckhand before they put you in the engine room. Just depends on what’s available at the time[/QUOTE]

Well…

Let’s just say, I know a guy… I’m not concerned with getting my foot into the door of the engine dept… That part is already decided.

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The industry is hard up for qualified engineers. If you don’t have time to do four years at a maritime academy, I would invest in some schooling and qualifications before going out to work. A little education goes a long way in short circuiting your rise through the ranks. Sure you don’t get paid for the time you spend in school, but I’ve found it to be real helpful and worth it.

There is way more to the maritime industry than OSVs and The Gulf. Both coasts, companies large and small, usually are all looking for people. They don’t always post on gCaptain.

Why not look at a short-ish education program and the certification you would get when you’re done. Make some cold calls to various companies in places you wouldn’t mind living, or commuting too. Remember the commutes can someitmes be only once a month. Tell them you just got your <whatever> cert, and were wondering if they were looking for people. That way you can get some real info first hand.

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[QUOTE=Tampamariner;111175]Os deckhand at Eco is 190$ a day. Wiper is 205$. And you may need to start out Asa deckhand before they put you in the engine room. Just depends on what’s available at the time[/QUOTE]

Can someone please tell me what “ECO” stands for, I searched for “shipping” and “ECO” on the internet several different ways and I’m not getting any links having to do with a large shipping company.

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Edison Chouest Offshore.

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If you want stability go with CHOUEST or OTTO CANDIES. Not so sure about the rest and for myself I would not go anywhere else if I were you. HOS is publicly traded and Harvey sounds like they are becoming the next tidewater. Just my opinion.

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[QUOTE=“CaptHH;111364”]

If you want stability go with CHOUEST or OTTO CANDIES. Not so sure about the rest and for myself I would not go anywhere else if I were you. HOS is publicly traded and Harvey sounds like they are becoming the next tidewater. Just my opinion.[/QUOTE]

Can you expand on that a little more Cap? That sounds interesting. I am making the move to the GOM in August/September with hopes of getting on with a company.

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[QUOTE=mrdrew;111305]The industry is hard up for qualified engineers. If you don’t have time to do four years at a maritime academy, I would invest in some schooling and qualifications before going out to work. A little education goes a long way in short circuiting your rise through the ranks. Sure you don’t get paid for the time you spend in school, but I’ve found it to be real helpful and worth it.

There is way more to the maritime industry than OSVs and The Gulf. Both coasts, companies large and small, usually are all looking for people. They don’t always post on gCaptain.

Why not look at a short-ish education program and the certification you would get when you’re done. Make some cold calls to various companies in places you wouldn’t mind living, or commuting too. Remember the commutes can someitmes be only once a month. Tell them you just got your <whatever> cert, and were wondering if they were looking for people. That way you can get some real info first hand.[/QUOTE]

Well… To be honest, I’m not quitting my current career on a maybe, It is already a sure thing. I have the offer based on my current experience and education. Once I have the “sea time” to get the required certifications & licenses, I’ll be testing for them. I already have the offer on paper, and I haven’t quit or decided yet. I’m still in the process for a TWIC and MMC so I am in no rush to make a decision right this moment. But as I alluded to in my previous posts, the company, location, and path are already laid out for me due to a friend in the industry, so I’m not really interested in cold calling anyone. In addition, My current occupation is prohibitive of any scheduled classes, and I would need to maintain benefits for my family… So coursework is pretty much out of the question.

I was inquiring to the stability of the industry both in the near future, and the past before deciding

[QUOTE=CaptHH;111364]If you want stability go with CHOUEST or OTTO CANDIES. Not so sure about the rest and for myself I would not go anywhere else if I were you. HOS is publicly traded and Harvey sounds like they are becoming the next tidewater. Just my opinion.[/QUOTE]

What is it that makes you suggest those companies over the others… Also, could you elaborate on “HOS”? I gather that “Harvey” is Harvey Gulf International, And Tidewater is fairly self explanatory. What is wrong with Tidewater and what makes Harvey the “next tidewater”? Also why would CHOUEST or OTTO CANDIES be preferable?

Thanks everyone for the insight into the industry. It really is appreciated.

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Yeah good question what is wrong with HOS? Why does being publicly traded have any bearing on that?

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If he went to work at HOS right off the bat, he would have nothing to strive for

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I’m guessing the OP will know everything there is to know on the boat no more than 1 week into his first hitch.

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[QUOTE=Deuce;111622]I’m guessing the OP will know everything there is to know on the boat no more than 1 week into his first hitch.[/QUOTE]

yawn

Thanks for the insight… Troll…

Feel free not to comment any more.

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New Mariner u sound bright and anal, high strung, arrogant, etc. All that said I sure hope u end up on my boat. I’d enjoy nothing more than watching u clean some toilets and wipe up some messy oil. Good luck with that.

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It was never my intention to come off arrogant and high strung. I just explained my situation and I was asking for information on the past and speculation on the future of this industry.

I’m not leaving an already high paying job to take a pay cut. The offer I was given has me testing as soon as I have the “sea service” to take another and getting a bump in this particular organization. Basically, fast tracked as fast as I want to get the licenses and certifications. This does not mean that I already know everything that there is to know, far from it, and the assumption that someone coming here to ask questions is a “know it all” is pretty absurd.

I asked about the past and layoffs. I also asked for some speculation about the future. I can speculate about the future in my current occupation, and it doesn’t look good for my craft… In other words, I don’t think my job is going to be around for the next 32 years until I can retire.