Get a job on a boat and try it out. Lots of fishing, construction support, tug and barge jobs in Alaska. Use your Alaska contacts.
Here are a few thoughts. American Seafoods, Premier Pacific, Trident, Aleutian Spray Fisheries, Coastal Villages, Cruz Construction, Brice Construction, Northland, Coastal Transportation, Crowley (especially their Western Alaska fleet), State of Alaska Ocean Ranger program (managed by Crowley), NMFS fisheries observer (private contractors hire and supply the observers).
I think your replies are being posted now.
Good info here all around, I agree that there are many opportunities out there if one wanted to get out and try it, and TugSailor and others provided some good places to get started.
Just a word of caution to newbies that might not be so obvious – there are many facets of the “maritime industry”. While certain principles might apply across the board, many jobs are apples and oranges to each other. A motivated and driven individual would see through a bad experience or two, but it should be understood that experiences and conditions from one field to the next could vary widely and it might take some time to find your best niche. I’d argue that going to a grad-license program at an academy as suggested would offer the most opportunities afterwards. You can always sail entry level, but it will be increasingly difficult to go after the license.
Okay, I just called up the head of the maritime department at the vocational school in my area (well, roughly, Alaska is a big state). He told me to get my TWIC card, MMC, a physical and drug test. Once I have those document he said they should be able to get me on a boat in an entry level position. He recommended spending some time on a boat before committing to classes, as many of you have. The more I think about it, that really does seem like the most prudent course of action before enrolling in a graduate program/taking on mountains of debt. What if I decide I hate the job/lifestyle? If that’s the case, I can cut my ties to the industry without any lasting impact on my quality of life. So, as of now I’m going to race to get those documents in order. Again, thanks for your help everyone. Wish me luck!
Bomb86, I do not have anything to add but just wanted to thank you for using the Correct terminology. “My grandfather was a merchant mariner”. Hearing people call themselves or others Merchant Marines pisses me (and others) off so I thought I should step up and give thanks where thanks are due.
[QUOTE=Tugs;134804]Bomb86, I do not have anything to add but just wanted to thank you for using the Correct terminology. “My grandfather was a merchant mariner”. Hearing people call themselves or others Merchant Marines pisses me (and others) off so I thought I should step up and give thanks where thanks are due.[/QUOTE]
Amen to that… Maybe not all newbies are so bad after all.
[QUOTE=bomba86;134798]Okay, I just called up the head of the maritime department at the vocational school in my area (well, roughly, Alaska is a big state). He told me to get my TWIC card, MMC, a physical and drug test. Once I have those document he said they should be able to get me on a boat in an entry level position. He recommended spending some time on a boat before committing to classes, as many of you have. The more I think about it, that really does seem like the most prudent course of action before enrolling in a graduate program/taking on mountains of debt. What if I decide I hate the job/lifestyle? If that’s the case, I can cut my ties to the industry without any lasting impact on my quality of life. So, as of now I’m going to race to get those documents in order. Again, thanks for your help everyone. Wish me luck![/QUOTE]
While its true that you should get a TWIC, MMC, and passport as quickly as possible, you don’t need them for a job on 95 percent of fishing boats, or any other vessel under 100 gross tons. Plenty of tugs under 100 tons. There are not many docks in Alaska where they will ask to see your TWIC card. While waiting for your MMC you might want to get down to AVTEC and take a short class called BST.
He will have to have the TWIC to get a MMC even if no one ever asks to see it.