# Questions about SIU **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [February 6, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/questions-about-siu/71792 "2025-02-06T23:31:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mmonroe194](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7feea3/32.png) [@mmonroe194](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/mmonroe194)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/questions-about-siu/71792/1 "2025-02-06T23:31:58Z")
So I was planning a trip to Jacksonville Fl to go to a SIU seminar. I was told when I called them this is the only way I would be able to find out information on work is if I attended one of these seminars that are every Wednesday. So I imagine I would have to pay dues or fees in order to join said union. I have 0 training and or schooling. I have all required documents. I understand students from piney point would have seniority for jobs over me. Would i have to pay for hotels and food and such and sit around Jacksonville on my own dime to wait for a call for work. I am from the Atlanta area. Also how much are dues for this seminar or the dues to join the union? If someone could help me with this I would appreciate it. I have put in an app for MSC but who knows how long I will wait as its the government. ---
**Author:** ![DavidMT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@DavidMT](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DavidMT)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 3:54am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/questions-about-siu/71792/2 "2025-02-07T03:54:25Z")
What department do you wish to ship in? How old are you? When you say all of your documents, do you mean; MMC TWIC STCW health card A 5 panel drug test Passport STCW basic training ??? What is your prior experience? Why do you want to ship? ---
**Author:** ![mmonroe194](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7feea3/32.png) [@mmonroe194](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/mmonroe194)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 10:59am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/questions-about-siu/71792/3 "2025-02-07T10:59:21Z")
Im 48. Have my mmc, passport, twic and med certificate. I want to be an ordinary seaman. As i stated in my original post i have 0 experience and or training. I want to be a sailor because i like being on the ocean and im tired of my 24 year career in law enforcement and telling people what to do. ---
**Author:** ![Bayrunner](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/bayrunner/32/966_2.png) [@Bayrunner](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Bayrunner)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/questions-about-siu/71792/4 "2025-02-07T14:45:41Z")
You would be better off getting a job on a tugboat. If you were a cop being the low man on a SIU crewed ship won’t be fun for you. ---
**Author:** ![Alex63](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/cc9497/32.png) [@Alex63](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Alex63)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/questions-about-siu/71792/5 "2025-02-07T14:57:41Z")
Why don’t call Jacksonville and ask this questions? I don’t know about seminar fee and such, but I doubt they will cover your living expenses while trying to fetch a job. At least nobody covered mine here in Jersey city when I was in your shoes. ---
**Author:** ![DavidMT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@DavidMT](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DavidMT)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 4:44pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/questions-about-siu/71792/6 "2025-02-07T16:44:28Z")
OK So no STCW then? Either med cert or BST? ---
**Author:** ![mmonroe194](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7feea3/32.png) [@mmonroe194](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/mmonroe194)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 8:53pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/questions-about-siu/71792/7 "2025-02-07T20:53:49Z")
I have the med cert i got with the mmc. That is all i have. No stcw. Thats why i was trying for MSC. They will give me that training in the 3 weeks before they send you out to sea. But i guess from what im hearing I will start looking into tug boat companies as well. They seem to have nicer schedule anyways. 14 on 14 off from what i have been seeing. ---
**Author:** ![DavidMT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@DavidMT](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DavidMT)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 9:30pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/questions-about-siu/71792/8 "2025-02-07T21:30:38Z")
Some tug companies do, others it’s 30/15 Dann Marine hires pretty often, but not really a company to stay with. Atlanta is tough for people starting out, if you can afford to you may want to try the SUP in Los Angeles