I know about the obvious ones like Military Sealift Command, or NOAA. But I never thought about other agencies. I’m interested in some day working on a government vessel. The other day, I noticed a bright blue vessel docked at our Navy dock, and was curious about it. It was the “OSV - Bold”, run by the EPA. I searched on the Internet but could find no information on the complement of people they employ. Are there any other agencies that run large vessels staffed by civilians?
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I found the company that operates the Bold by searching google. It’s called Seaward Services and the following is a link to their career page: https://tbe.taleo.net/CH12/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=HORNBLOWERMARINE&cws=4
Thanks. I’m still interested in knowing what other agencies employ mariners.
Army Corps of Engineers is another one.
There is also MarAd but their ships are all contract operated and employment is via one of several unions.
Dept of Interior National Parks Service (small vessels)
Why does working on a government vessel hold such appeal for you?
MARAD has ROS ships…have to be in a union to get one of those
I don’t know if NASA has a fleet any more now that the Space Shuttle program is gone.
[QUOTE=renoun;98983]I don’t know if NASA has a fleet any more now that the Space Shuttle program is gone.[/QUOTE]
One of the ships is at the James River Reserve Fleet, in Ft Eustis.
The U.S, Geological Survey also hires civilians. They operate boats for survey and research.
[QUOTE=catherder;98753]Army Corps of Engineers is another one.
There is also MarAd but their ships are all contract operated and employment is via one of several unions.[/QUOTE]
I would be curious to know more about the CIVMARs with the A.C.E. Their equipment always looks pretty new and interesting. Are they all CIVMAR staffed? What is the pay like? I think the most interesting question for me would be how do their vessels rank in the tonnage scale? I know everything at MSC is unlimited regardless of size so that they can more easily move officers around their fleet but how does this ACE operation work?
The Essayons, Wheeler and Mc Farland are unlimited tonnage. I believe the Yaquina is as well. Their newest hopper dredge, Murden, is definitely under 1600 GRT as is the Currituck. They are all civilian mariners. Pay is convoluted and middle of the road for the US hopper dredge fleet. Travel is paid by the mariner. Many excellent benefit options. The Essayons and Yaquina (West coast) are 1 week on 1 week off. The Wheeler (Gulf coast) and Mc Farland (East coast) are 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. I believe the Murden and Currituck work days only and the crew stays in a hotel at night and not sure of their rotation. I have seen them move officers around the fleet for relief work but typically the crews on each dredge are steady.
[QUOTE=dredgeboater;101366]The Essayons, Wheeler and Mc Farland are unlimited tonnage. I believe the Yaquina is as well. Their newest hopper dredge, Murden, is definitely under 1600 GRT as is the Currituck. They are all civilian mariners. Pay is convoluted and middle of the road for the US hopper dredge fleet. Travel is paid by the mariner. Many excellent benefit options. The Essayons and Yaquina (West coast) are 1 week on 1 week off. The Wheeler (Gulf coast) and Mc Farland (East coast) are 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. I believe the Murden and Currituck work days only and the crew stays in a hotel at night and not sure of their rotation. I have seen them move officers around the fleet for relief work but typically the crews on each dredge are steady.[/QUOTE]
Jeeze… That’s a tough offer. 7 and 7 or 14 and 14, non-comptetative pay, and NO travel? I don’t know what those benefits are but they could hardly be worth it…
As opposed to sitting on the beach - I think not
[QUOTE=PaddyWest2012;101374]Jeeze… That’s a tough offer. 7 and 7 or 14 and 14, non-comptetative pay, and NO travel? I don’t know what those benefits are but they could hardly be worth it…[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Jolly Tar;101377]As opposed to sitting on the beach - I think not[/QUOTE]
Well certainly any job is better than no job, and whats more any job on the water is lightyears better than no job sitting around on land withering away. I was only suggesting that there are far better offers out there for similar jobs.
It’s great if you live close to their home ports. They provide ground transportation from there to the vessel. I probably would have worked on one of the West coast hoppers if they were at least 14/14. I just don’t want to spend that much time traveling on 7/7. I would have done it in a heartbeat if it was my only option.