I am a Hawspiper who started on a 65’ Army T-Boat as a Sea Scout in New Orleans. Upon graduation from high school, I went to work on a 100’ crewboat in the GOM oilfield at 17 y/o. Left there in 1980 and tried to join NMU to go to work on ships. Shipping was so poor that it would have taken over a year to get a ship! So, I joined the Navy to get navigation training and sea time! Got out in June of '84 and went to work on the US Dredge Wheeler(Hopper Dredge) 3 months later as an A/B Limited. Still here and have an Unlimited Master’s ticket!