Vane told me that there was atleast 200 people in line for a job before me. So be prepared to wait inline if you go up there.
Well the Coast Guard issued my Z-Card yesterday according to the website and only took a little less than a month which isn’t bad so hopefully I get that in the mail by next week.
Omega Protein sent me a package today to fill out for a job and they are hiring for all positions. Anyone ever work for these guys before? I’m just ready to get out on the water and start my career. Better late than never I suppose.
Yep, I worked for them for a long time. It was painful to watch it go from a great company to a second-rate shell of it’s former self.
Here’s the skinny: If you don’t mind 15 hour days, low pay, mediocre food, working in the heat, working in the cold, working in the rain, constantly smelling and smelling like fish (both old and new) and sharing a room with one or more snoring men that smell exactly like you, then omega is the place for you!
There are still a few good boats with good Captains and decent cooks, but they are the exception and are difficult to hire to for those very reasons.
The upside is that it’s great experience…rigging, boat handling, launching and recovering lifeboats (sometimes 10 or 12 times a day), navigation (most of the time the two bottoms are rubbing together or you’re trying to keep from getting washed up on the beach). Also, as of yet there’s no painting and chipping when the fishing is slow and it’s only a six to eight month season. Then you find another job until next season.
I can give you the names of some of the better Captains if you want to give it a try.
Good luck,
Nemo
I plan on mailing out the package they gave me today. What’s the names of the good Captains?
I’m just anxious to get some sea legs and some experience in no matter what the circumstances may bring to be honest. To me something is better than nothing at this point.
Everyone has to start somewhere. 
PM sent. I hope it helps.
Nemo
Vane Brothers sucks…shitheads
Well I received my MMC in the mail this morning. Passport size which means you can’t carry it in your wallet. I liked the old drivers licence style better which seemed more convenient. Not sure if this thing is water proof.
Anyhow I’m thinking about joining the SIU and doing the free apprentice program they offer if accepted. My question is do you have to be apart of the Union itself before you can get in to the program they offer.
Hey Concepts I am pretty much in the same boat as you. I also applied for Omega Protein and received my MMD and TWIC a few months ago. I also took BST and been applying all over the place, everyone wants experience. When applying you don’t have to join the Union you just print the application page off the website
http://www.seafarers.org/jobs/Unlicensed%20Apprentice%20Program%20Application.pdf
You fill this out and then fax or mail it back to them. Then they will mail you a booklet that also needs to be filled out. Mail back to them certified and return receipt. Hopefully, they send you a letter saying to go to the closest union hall to take the reading/math test. You will also have to take a physical and drug test. I hope they let me take the physical and drug test at the same time because I live pretty far from the Union hall. After this they will send you a letter with a start date.
Thanks for the reply Getmo. If I’m not mistaking when called SIU I asked what the fees were and she told me just $425 for uniforms and of course we have to pay to get there. I live about 4 hours away driving distance from there but they do not allow students to have there cars there… So I suppose flying will be my only option, yet another expense.
I wonder do we have to pay for the medical fees or do they pay it. Also my uncle has a friend who had 2 sons who went to this school and they said it wasn’t a good experience but I believe it’s different for everyone and to be honest what can be so bad about free training and a job after graduation sailing as an AB on one of there ships.
I was also told by the lady on the phone we have to have a passport as well so I went down yesterday to the post office and should have one in about 3 weeks. I have not yet taken my BST yet as I have spent every dime I have getting my Twic, Z-Card and passport up to this point.
I’m not giving up in my search for work but it looks as though the apprenticeship program from SIU may be the right choice to at least get a step in the right direction.
My goal is to work on deep sea vessels, tankers and so forth. Keep me posted on what you plan on doing.
I’ve heard that you have to pay for the drug test and physical which runs about $300.00 . They also require you to go to a SIU contracted clinic.I will have to go to Ft.Lauderdale location (4 hrs away) so I am hoping I will not have to make 2 trips because the letter just said to take the reading/math test. I also heard good and bad about the program but I believe most of it is what you make of it.
Damn, I just took a drug and physical test when I applied for my Z-Card about a month ago. So now I have to pay for yet another one. I only had to pay $175 for both and they want $300… So I’m presuming there are more hidden costs along the way as well then.
There is a Recruiting event here in Virginia Beach at the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Center on June 3 from 11-4 so maybe I will get lucky with one of the companies that is going to be there. I think Vane Bros will be there as well.
Well, finally after months of searching for work on a boat I received a phone call yesterday and landed a job with Norfolk Tugs this morning after speaking with Steve at the office which is just unbelievable.
It’s only a 15 minute drive to the office/dock from my house which makes this a dream come true for me.
I am just blessed to have been given a chance in this industry with this company especially not having any prior experience in the Maritime industry.
They sent me down to get my physical and drug screening today and tomorrow I fill out paper work and that sort.
I will have a mixed rotation pretty much to get me up to par with how things are done and training till they decide where to put me.
This forum has been great and the information on here has been invaluable to me.
Thanks again and I wish every the best!
Happy Sailing!
Hey that’s great news!! Congrats.
Congrats Concepts looks like things are working out for you. I start the SIU apprentice program Aug 17th. Do you still plan on going deep sea?
[QUOTE=GetMo;15687]Congrats Concepts looks like things are working out for you. I start the SIU apprentice program Aug 17th. Do you still plan on going deep sea?[/QUOTE]
Well, my main goal is to go deep sea eventually, but for now I want to learn the trade inside and out and soak up every bit of experience I can get for now.
I don’t plan on sea going vessels for at least a minimum of 2 years before I try my hand at that route if I still chose to do so when the time arrives.
I wish you luck with SIU and thanks again guys!
[quote=bullyjohn;11856]Ok first good luck with the uscg and your first mmd give it 6 months
2nd advice for sailors we are the only bunch besides bikers that are politicaly correct in any place bad manors he’s a sailor fart in church he’s a sailor so advice from a sailor haha
So here is some advice if you have to ask how old she is she is to young
Never get on a boat for a persentage unless you don’t care if you make money
Never ask someone to do a job you wouldn’t do
If you can’t carry your own bags aboard become a captain haha had to throw that one in haha
If two or more sailors are standing around and you walk up and they send you after some thing just get a marker and write sucker on your forhead
If you get yelled at for some thing learn from it and don’t do it again and you will be fine
Never trust any one that says trust me
Finally nothing happens fast or in the time it is suppost to on boats, uscg, or companies
Well good luck[/quote]
I might add: Don’t let your F-YOU money run low. Always travel with a credit card, and a pass port.
Well i finally made it home tonight after 28 days on the water and i have to say thank fing god. They flew me from NY to norfolk and the last 9 days have been grinding barges with about 3 hours of sleep a day if I was lucky 4. I didn’t think it was ever going to end. But i am grateful to be working and i have $3,000 in my pocket! I leave again for a 21 day hitch on the 1st, hopefully they send me back to NY tending dredges.
Congratulations man!!
The hardest hitch is the 1st one! I just got back to Seattle from Alaska- but will be working the gangway for 10 more weeks.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks my friend. Glad to see all is well with you. I leave for another 21 days on the 1st.