I am interested in working on tugs. Is it recommended to go to SIU apprenticeship beforehand or to just start applying for companies as a deckhand? Would the SIU apprenticeship program give me a leg up? I know you come out with your AB. Was thinking going to piney point and using that program to get my AB and switch to a tug company with that new rating once I’m out? Basically leaving the union for a new company once I received all the training and got my AB unlimited?
Would that be a good option? or should I just start applying for deckhand jobs right when I get my mmc and get my AB that way? would that be quicker? Just been hearing how hard it is to get a entry level position with no experience these days without any training.
SIU doesn’t have the best reputation at many tug companies. Just apply, nearly all the tugboat companies are looking for people.
If/when you get hired as long as you do what is expected of you: chip/paint, make/break tow, line handling, sweep/mop/clean, learn your trade, stay off your phone and out of the galley when you are supposed to be working, you will be a rock star.
Another piece of advice: when your watch is over go to sleep. Do not play on your phone, do not watch tv. Take a shower and go to sleep. Your relief will not cover for you because you decided to fuck off on your off watch time.
SIU’s Apprentice program is geared more towards blue water ships. Not that you can’t work on tugs after going through that program. If you want to work on tugs, you would be much further ahead if you started directly with a tug company.
SIU is deep sea and their apprenticeship program is geared to those types of vessels. You’d be better off getting a job as a deckhand on a tug and learning the particulars of tugs - line handling, how to make and break tow, etc
When applying for jobs try to highlight any previous jobs you’ve had that involve physical labor, companies aren’t going to give a sh!t that you know how to populate an Excel spreadsheet or program a computer. They want people who can do hard physical work.
Pretty much all the tug companies that are union be it SIU, IBU, MMP etc…can hire you directly, then you join the union within a certain time frame…usually within 30 days.
With that being said, get your foot in the door with a tugboat company union or non.
The three companies i worked for that were SIU hired directly, officer or not. Maybe crowley does what you are saying. I’d think there would be plenty of ABs sitting in the hall as opposed to a dde or mate of tow.