If you were starting out this year in the industry, how would you evaluate the various sectors as far as ease of getting hired, pay, and availability of work opportunities? From what I can tell, the available options are:
Anthony made a great recommendation earlier of 2 small cruise lines, but am looking to get thoughts on the other sectors. Keep in mind zero experience and assume TWIC/MMD with possible BST acquired by then.
Let me start with the info I have … I am a 150 ton Master - I was a 200 / 500 itc ton Master but can not find work near coastal . I would like to work on towing vessels but have no documented time on towing vessels . I currently have the following endorsements Unlimited Radar, STCW-95, FCC , TWIC . I spent too much time on 100 ton vessels and uscg dropped the tonnage to 150 tons on my last issue date Oct 2007 . I have 20 yrs experience - all near coastal, with approval to test for 500 ton master . MY QUESTIONS …What is the the best route for me to take to get a towing endorsement ?.. Can I test for a towing endorsement and use the 150 ton master as I work my way up as a steersman / pilot/ mate ? Do I need AB , advanced firefighting or arpa for a 150 or 200 ton towing license ?
Thank You for your time . ibdkaptn
[quote=ibdkaptn;24450]Let me start with the info I have … I am a 150 ton Master - I was a 200 / 500 itc ton Master but can not find work near coastal . I would like to work on towing vessels but have no documented time on towing vessels . I currently have the following endorsements Unlimited Radar, STCW-95, FCC , TWIC . I spent too much time on 100 ton vessels and uscg dropped the tonnage to 150 tons on my last issue date Oct 2007 . I have 20 yrs experience - all near coastal, with approval to test for 500 ton master . MY QUESTIONS …What is the the best route for me to take to get a towing endorsement ?.. Can I test for a towing endorsement and use the 150 ton master as I work my way up as a steersman / pilot/ mate ? Do I need AB , advanced firefighting or arpa for a 150 or 200 ton towing license ?
Thank You for your time . ibdkaptn[/quote]
I don’t know the answers to your licensing questions. Have you checked the NMC website?
I do know a couple of 100 ton captains who got on at ACL recently- they started on deck and are now in the wheelhouse… might be an option since they have been actively hiring in Texas. Kirby- located next door to ACL in Houston used to have a program as well…
“options”??don’t mean to rain on your parade but,in this economy it is more about hit or miss than pick and choose…advise that you seriously investigate all “sectors” for any and all opportunities!!
an entry level position right now might just be the hardest to procure with all the experienced crew that is currently sitting idle on the beach??
not to worry…for if and when things do pick up they will be hiring anyone that is warm and has a pulse…much like what went on in the 80’s…as in every down turn in this industry many of those that are idle will have moved on to other endeavors in order to feed there families and will be reluctant to re-enter the maritime industry a second time.
strongly suggest that you get the BST training/certification in addition to the TWIC and MMC…as that should provide you with more “options”!!
[quote=Ordinaryseaman;24451]:rolleyes: That’s easy- any one that will hire you.
Most casino boats don’t sail- so you won’t get the same kind of experience.
Each of the options you mention has good and bad points- but the important thing is- GET on a boat![/quote]
Well I KNOW that’s the important thing, Anthony!
But it wouldn’t be as advisable to spend a ton of time focusing on yachting in Ft. Lauderdale when I should be looking at tugs in NYC for instance. If fishing in Alaska pays well but is impossible to obtain without experience, then I want to know that, too. And if (miraculously) I have offers for an OSV out of Louisiana or a tug out of San Diego, I want to be able to rationally look at the 2 offers based on stability of the segment and potential $$ to be earned.
Or, quite possibly, I’m overthinking the shit out of all this and should just go walk the docks in Boston and worry about all this later
scroll to the top of the page- click on gcaptain forum.
Scroll down to maritime topics.
Pick Maritime Training and Licensing
There will be a black “new thread” button right under the ad from Jones act Injury Attorneys. Click it.
We are blessed to a have a LOT of knowledgeable people here- including a Coast Guard evaluator- if you wait a while someone more qualified/knowledgeable than myself will answer:)
It’s money until you can travel/ get an MMC- and it’s around boats- you might get an OS spot eventually too[/quote]
Thanks bud. I’ll check it out. Woods Hole is actually one of the docks I was going to walk for work. ALOT of boats and ships down there, NOAA is there, I think some Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket ferries, etc.
