Comedian George Carlin was once asked “So what is bugging you now George”? His reply was singers with only one name and people with bottles of water in their hands walking down the street. Where is the rest of the singers name and why didn’t they get a f-----ng drink before they left home.
We all have been asked stupid questions by non seafarer neighbors, friends, and relatives. Such as: Where are you stationed (merchant mariners)?, Do you drop anchor at night?, How come we never see you in your uniform?, and my all time favorite the day I get home “So when you going back?”. To which I reply when I f—inf feel like it. I know you folks know a bunch more so let’s hear them
How long are you home this time? Answer: until the money runs out. The full extent of my conversation with neighbors I’ve lived next door to for 9 years.
[QUOTE=salt’n steel;92626]How long are you home this time? Answer: until the money runs out. The full extent of my conversation with neighbors I’ve lived next door to for 9 years.[/QUOTE]
I always get “It must be nice to only work 6 months a year”. Funny thing is in that 6 months I work more hours than the 40 hour work week guy does in 12 months
[QUOTE=brjones;92745]I always get “It must be nice to only work 6 months a year”. Funny thing is in that 6 months I work more hours than the 40 hour work week guy does in 12 months[/QUOTE]
Yup. For those 6 months or so, you are ALWAYS at work. Can’t explain that to anyone. At the senior officer position (capt. or ce), you’re always on watch, too. . .
[QUOTE=cmakin;92760]Yup. For those 6 months or so, you are ALWAYS at work. Can’t explain that to anyone. At the senior officer position (capt. or ce), you’re always on watch, too. . .[/QUOTE]
You guys are correct on the hours/year. I worked for Texaco briefly in 1987 and had 152 hours of overtime in a 2 week pay period. The 1st engineer had 167 hours during the same time, thank god for OPA 90,STCW and ILO 180 work hour rules.
[QUOTE=Too bad steam is gone;92817]You guys are correct on the hours/year. I worked for Texaco briefly in 1987 and had 152 hours of overtime in a 2 week pay period. The 1st engineer had 167 hours during the same time, thank god for OPA 90,STCW and ILO 180 work hour rules.[/QUOTE]
I sail 1st on a container ship. When running down the east coast before going overseas, I will easily put in 80+ hours a week OT. When I worked tankers I wish I could have worked more than the OPA 90 rules of 12 hours
Cheng is always on watch, but the 1st always gets the call
“You’re in the Marines?” I can’t believe how many times I’ve been asked that one. “How’s things on the water?” How the hell do I know, I’m at home. “You’re on a ship?” No dipshit, I’m standing right next to you in this bar.
But my number one peeve is , “How do I get a job on a boat?” I have told people over the years exactly how to go about getting their z-card. I have never once heard of any of them getting it.
“You work on a boat”???..“Oh, just like Deadliest Catch”?? No! I’m not a crab fisherman! 3 months later…same person…same response…3 months later…“I was watching Deadliest Catch and thought of you”
[QUOTE=RubberRhib888;92958]“You work on a boat”???..“Oh, just like Deadliest Catch”?? No! I’m not a crab fisherman! 3 months later…same person…same response…3 months later…“I was watching Deadliest Catch and thought of you”[/QUOTE]
Man, that alone makes me happy to come ashore long before that show started airing. Unfortunately, TDC is what mosts folks in the US think going to sea is like. A couple of years back, I was up in the midwest at a friend’s house and they had TDC on the TV. One of the other guys there was an Aussie that works in the oil patch down under (auto racing crowd, my other life, go figure). We had to take a bit of time to explain the difference between what they were seeing on TV and how things really are. Oh, and just where crabbers and fishermen stand in the maritime caste system. . . .
Just think. Most Americans think going to sea is like The Deadliest Catch and Whale Wars. . .
[QUOTE=seadog6608;92868]“You’re in the Marines?” I can’t believe how many times I’ve been asked that one. “How’s things on the water?” How the hell do I know, I’m at home. “You’re on a ship?” No dipshit, I’m standing right next to you in this bar.
But my number one peeve is , “How do I get a job on a boat?” I have told people over the years exactly how to go about getting their z-card. I have never once heard of any of them getting it.[/QUOTE]
I forgot about the Marine thing. We used to hitchhike to Maine Maritime in uniform so old ladies would give us rides. After telling them we were in the merchant marine the old ladies would say “My son was/is in the Marines.” After trying to explain it a couple time we gave up and went with the flow.
A better explanation I use now is “I operate the largest man made moving objects on the planet.”
People always ask about me being in the Coast Guard. The best explanation I’ve come up with is “No the Coast Guard licenses us to operate Ships, Just like the DMV gives you a license for a car.”
I have some friends from back in the day that still don’t get it and ask questions about my service in the Navy or Joining the Navy.
The best is when Navy Enlisted don’t get it and ask questions about how I ended up doing what I do.