And where should I apply since my MMC will come in the mail soon. I have my VPDSP and BT… I guess I can apply to msc but ideally anywhere else since I want to become a QMED asap.
Honestly I’ve seen 10x as many openings for a deckhand which is kind of discouraging
That should tell you something right there.
IMO, if you’re mechanically inclined, somewhat of an introvert, don’t mind getting greasy & obtain personal satisfaction from seeing how things work & fixing things, every position in the engine room, from wiper to CE, is better than any position on deck.
Concerning where to apply, apply everywhere & take the job that offers the most training. If your going the hawspiper route, getting a QMED quick is awesome but you should feel inadequate if you don’t learn the skills to back it up.
yup, i want a place that’ll 1. give me a job but 2. teach me something. i find it worrisome i can get a super well paying job after 180 days + a little extra training. this is why I want to work on a larger ship or somewhere with more machinery and more experienced engineers to teach me things.
Shipyard laborer, the got offered deckhand position then asked for and got moved to engine room.
OSV’s can be a good option. I did my time on OSV’s and im done with them but they really are not bad place to start and i learned a lot on them. The technology in a modern OSV’s is pretty advanced depending on the company you go to work for.
As far as the engineers? You will meet some that are excellent and some that couldn’t clap 2 rocks together. I started as a wiper then QMED on anchor boat or AHTS. I figured out early when i was a wiper that you can learn just as much from a bad engineer as you can from a good one if you pay attention. I’m not endorsing OSV’s by any means its just a option and my experience.
Marine Firemans Union. Send me a DM for more info.
I wouldn’t mind working for OSVs… are there any specific companies I should try to get in with?
I worked for Edison Chouest Offshore for around 15 years. The knowledge i gained while working for them i still apply to any other boat i work on. Back when i started with them all my schooling was took care of at their training center in Cut off La. Their older 280’s and 300’s CP boats are getting old but are in good condition. The 312 generation boats (diesel electric) are nice living boats and really cool to learn. The down side to them is the boats are all pretty cookie cutter. Once you learn on one 280 you have more or less learned all of them. Its the same for the 312’s. I quit ECO on good terms i dont have a problem with ECO. when i quit i was just burnt out on the oilfield and wanted to try a different type of vessel work. I dont drink the coolaid but i recommend ECO. I may try and get on one of their research vessels after i upgrade to 1st A/E but im not sure yet.
As far as other OSV companies you have Hornbeck offshore, Tide Water, Otto Candies, Harvey Gulf, Aries Marine and a bunch of other companies. Most of these companies are trying to expand and not just be OSV companies.
If you are interested in Tugboats there is about a million companies out there. Some union and some are non union. I worked on a couple ATB’s for Centerline Logistics and enjoyed it. Signet marine has tugs that run from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico. They also do the Space x shit in Cape Canaveral as well as tractor tugs in Ingleside TX and a few other places.
Personally i love ships. i have loved them since i was a kid but i have never worked on them. I may try Great Lakes ships in the future.
I’ll second MFOW, but candidly if I was advising you, I would say do an apprenticeship with the IBEW and skip going to sea.
I doubt you’ll take that advice, so DM me
@Harpoon454, in this post you mention OSV’s, tugs, ATB’s, tractor tugs, research vessels & ships. That is one of the many benefits & reasons I love being an engineer. If you’re a halfway decent engineer & learn quick on your feet there’s no reason for the maritime trade to get boring. If an engineer is tired of OSV work, go work on ATB’s. If you get tired of ATB’s, join a union & ship out. If the contracts get too long go work on a ferry or oil spill response vessel. For good engineers, when the economy is right, switching industries is as easy as wearing in a new pair of boots*.
*wire boats & AHTS’s are unforgiving to new engineers & people can get killed if you bite off more than you can chew. Only go on wire boats or AHTS’ to train if a lot is expected of you & you’re not familiar with the work.
I wouldn’t mind looking into an apprenticeship, but you are right that I am more excited about going to sea. I really love boats and being on the water to be honest.
A QMED is basically an apprentice engineer. At least thats how i looked at it. On OSV sometimes oiler or QMED you may be stuck watching a hose your whole watch so to learn you may have to put in the extra effort and stay up a hour or 2 into your off time if you want to learn. If you are good and put in that extra effort the Chief and Master will talk you up to the managers. In a few years you will have your license and already be ahead of the rest because you know how to actually hold a watch. You are still going to have to wake the Chief up from time to time but he knows that. You will learn alot and learn fast if you pay attention and put in a small amount of extra effort.