Anyone else working towards a second career, or getting some schooling in for a back up plan? After the downturn in the Gulf, and this TWIC mess that I went through, it’s rallied my motivation towards getting a degree, and looking into something not related to the maritime industry.
Bourbon distillery or beer brewing are my recommendations.
possibly buying and selling surplus shit plus developing an income stream from the charter of vessels?
I know…a longshot at best but stranger successes have happened to stranger people
Downturn in the Gulf and What happened with TWIC?
[QUOTE=Joe1823;190491]Downturn in the Gulf and What happened with TWIC?[/QUOTE]
Downturn in the Gulf - People laid off, boats tied up, wages down to as much as half.
TWIC - Took 60 days and an inquiry from one of my senators to finally get the TSA to approve my renewal.
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[QUOTE=Joe1823;190491]Downturn in the Gulf and What happened with TWIC?[/QUOTE]
Downturn in the Gulf - Oil price tanked, people laid off, boats stacked, and wages down to as much as half.
TWIC - Took 60 days and one of my senators to make an inquiry to get the TSA moving and to approve it. Ironically, the same day they received the inquiry, was the same day that it was approved! Imagine that!
Another area you might consider is getting into renewable energy work like solar or wind generation. Thinking about plan B myself.
maybe tidal energy anyone doing that yet?
[QUOTE=Tugslasthitch;190515]maybe tidal energy anyone doing that yet?[/QUOTE]
If you mean anywhere, not just USA, the answer is yes: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/tidal-power/
Not sure if any has been built in the US, but it should be a good opportunity in places like Alaska and Main.
Anybody know of any plants in operation, or planned??
The advantages and disadvantages of harvesting Tidal Energy is discussed here: http://connectusfund.org/14-main-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-tidal-energy
There have been Tidal Barrier power plants in operation since the 1960s in France: http://www.thegreenage.co.uk/cos/rance-tidal-power/
See it in operation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgwspUPLafQ
Experimental Tidal Turbines haves been installed several places, incl. near Hammerfest, Norway: http://www.andritz.com/hydro/hy-others-andritz-hydro/hy-tidal-current-turbine.htm
It has since been removed. The purpose was only to prove the technology, which is now being marketed worldwide.
Here is a video to explaining it all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlYKkH4W-0Y
(Hope you understand the comments)
PS> Speaking of the devil, the first commercial Tidal Power plant has become operational off Scotland: http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/scotland-tidal-energy/
(This is the one in the video above)
And then there are wave power, which can be produced this way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcStpg3i5V8
Like this: http://tidalenergytoday.com/2015/02/25/scotland-to-boost-wave-energy-with-gbp-14-mln/
Or this way: http://tidalenergytoday.com/2016/08/12/waveel-buoy-clocks-six-months-at-sea/
A CSV was used to install this one: https://www.oceannews.com/ocean-energy/2016/06/01/deployment-of-wave-energy-plant-wavel-in-norway
There should be ample waves to power any of these on the east and west coast of CONUSA, in Alaska and Hawaii.
Now it is only a question of political consent to use the power available.
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What about marine mammal tourism? That sounds like a good time. Maybe tourists tip their crew?
Well, sailing is my second (or third, or fourth career) and as I still have my low paying but secure gubmint job, I’m gonna keep it. It does allow me time to pursue other things, and I’m doing that right now, getting some training in a non-related field I’m interested in.
I also have two STEM related college degrees to fall back on, but my age is beginning to worry me so I’m doubling down on my effort to drop some weight and improve my fitness. I can’t get younger but I can get in better shape.
I plan, health permitting, to work well into my 60’s and beyond if I can (at least part time) mainly because I got screwed during the market crash several years back but also because I like to have something to do.
I keep a small construction business (masonry) going at home. Hopefully I can expand it and should the need ever arise for shore based employment, I can roll right into doing that full time.
Look into marine surveying. There is a fair amount of demand for warranty surveyors and damage surveyors, too. It can be cyclical, like anything else. Not sure if Class societies are hiring anything other than young folks these days, but that also might be a consideration. I came ashore to work as a Class surveyor and did it for 10 years. I liked it, up to a point to where the BS was getting above what I considered appropriate for my pay grade. Left to work as an adjuster (energy and marine) and like this enough to still be doing it. . . energy is a bit tough with the downturn in the oil and gas biz, but again, that is cyclical. . . and business picks up quickly with just one good hurricane. . . .
[QUOTE=cmakin;190536]Look into marine surveying. There is a fair amount of demand for warranty surveyors and damage surveyors, too. It can be cyclical, like anything else. Not sure if Class societies are hiring anything other than young folks these days, but that also might be a consideration. I came ashore to work as a Class surveyor and did it for 10 years. I liked it, up to a point to where the BS was getting above what I considered appropriate for my pay grade. Left to work as an adjuster (energy and marine) and like this enough to still be doing it. . . energy is a bit tough with the downturn in the oil and gas biz, but again, that is cyclical. . . and business picks up quickly with just one good hurricane. . . .[/QUOTE]
Always thought I should get into this racket…tell us more. Is this path open to masters as well as engineers? Who do you look to for opportunities? What are the accreditation requirements?
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You would need to be certified, with a national association so insurance companies, and consumers would accept your reports. There are several more aspects of the business to discuss but this is the starting point. There are a few certified surveyors in your area, you could make contact and develop relationships with them. You can contact insurance companies and find out what they would need, so you could be added to their vendor list in the future.
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[QUOTE=DeepSeaDiver;190548]…[/QUOTE]
let’s just make this abundantly clear between eachother…
[B][I]
I DID NOT ASK YOU![/I][/B]
For anybody that is in the Seattle, WA area there is a Marine Insurance Association luncheon on October 4th 2016 - The cost is $50.00 for non members. This could be a good chance to network.
http://www.miaseattle.org/index.php?option=com_mc&view=mc&mcid=72&eventId=497335&orgId=mias
The next date for a meeting with the PSMCA - Puget Sound Marine Claims Association is October 20th 2016
[QUOTE=c.captain;190541]Always thought I should get into this racket…tell us more. Is this path open to masters as well as engineers? Who do you look to for opportunities? What are the accreditation requirements?[/QUOTE]
The best people to ask may be these: http://iamws.com/
[QUOTE=c.captain;190550]let’s just make this abundantly clear between eachother…
[B][I]
I DID NOT ASK YOU![/I][/B][/QUOTE]
Please don’t feed the troll!
13 Ways to Make Money With Your Boat.
https://toughnickel.com/self-employment/make-money-with-your-boat
The old saying is we need to go to where the is. So anybody looking for additional opportunities around boats needs to figure that one out. Yacht owners sometimes have and are willing to pay people like you and me to have all kinds of services performed. We need to hang out and develop relationships where the $ is. Strong trustworthy customer service skill sets will bring you not only repeat business but also referral business over time.