Washington State Ferries

They could have unionized or found other employment.

W00t! Survey! Mowing the lawn.

I found myself dreaming in survey grid patterns and then my wife ran off with the pizza man and my dog died so I left.

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So is WSF a good place to work or no?
This post is a bit mixed.
What are the pros, what are the cons?
Also what does the pay look like?

I’m just starting out, I’m a navy veteran looking for sea-going job in Washington. Someone recommended WSF.

How long have you been out of the USN?
What was your rate?

Sonar Technician. And I’m still in, I get out in October. Just trying to get the ball rolling on finding a job since I’ve got my MMC, Passport and TWIC already.

What endorsements do you have on your MMC?

Lifeboatman?

So, OS/Wiper/FH Correct?

No AB or QMED?

Where do you want to sail Engine, Deck or Stewards?

I’d have to look at what it specifically says but I do not have it on me at the moment. I’m guessing it’s OS/WIPER because I can’t find any information on lifeboatman anywhere.
I’d like to go the deck route since that has been my experience over my 9 years in the Navy. I’d like to get my 3rd mate license in the near future.

You may want to consider applying to the state maritime academies, that would be a better route to a 3/M ticket

https://www.csum.edu/web/mycampus/home

https://www.sunymaritime.edu/

https://mainemaritime.edu/

https://www.maritime.edu/

https://www.nmc.edu/maritime/

http://www.tamug.edu/corps/

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Yeah I thought about that but since I don’t get out until October, I would have to wait a full year before I could go to school. I wanted to start working toward the license a bit sooner.

I was thinking about trying out the Maritime Apprenticeship Program at PMI in Seattle. And I was wondering if it was equivalent or better than going to a 4 year academy since it’s only a two year program for 3M license.

Hawspiping will take you several years, and cost a lot of money

And OS jobs are relatively scarce, I would strongly advise reconsidering the maritime schools.

If you can get an apprenticeship slot at MITAGS (PMI) that would be a good route, if you have the cash up front, including housing, you can use your VA at MITAGS but I don’t think you can get any other federal student aid. One of the MMP membrs here can give you better advice on that than I can.

There is also this,

https://sealiftcommand.com/departments/deck/ordinary-seaman-advancement-program/39

and MSC will push you to get a 3/M and pay for your training, so this may be a good placeto start.

P.S. do you have you STCW?

Thanks for the info. I do not have that just yet.

Also you can apply to MSC while still in the Navy

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Thanks a lot.

You do not get a 3rd Mate ticket from PMI

Yes, you can. They have a 3rd Mate program.

WSF is a really mixed bag. It can be a great place to work and there are some terrific people there. At the same time, any seniority-based system is going to have the challenges that go along with them. Really, you get what you bring.
Pro: relatively easy & safe work, home daily, advancement opportunity
Con: low seniority/ on call period is rough, very easy to become disillusioned or jaded
Pay: hourly probationary OS pay is $21.26, goes to $25.02 upon becoming permanent. AB is $30.02.

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