I found companies that are hiring and I got hired!
Edit to add: this is in the United States (U.S.), but it might work for your country too (let me know if it does)
If you're an entry-level seeker in this industry, search for: "deckhand job" on Google, Indeed, LinkedIn, or any other job board.
I found a ferry company several weeks ago, applied, and got hired as a Deckhand the same day as my interview!
A lot of ferry companies are still hiring for this summer season (and beyond). If you're in a land locked state, look up coastal states like California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, etc. The pay is low, but it's easy work (to me anyways), and at the very least, you'll be acquiring seatime.
I've only worked a few days with the ferry, but here's a breakdown of my day:
- Prepping the boat:
- clock in at 8am
- pull ramp/gangway and tie it to the boat
- vacuum or sweep inside the boat (where the passengers will be)
- take out the trash
- clean and restock the bathroom
- spray/ wash the stern (the aft/ back standing area of the boat) and sweep or mop out the access water after the wash
- hook up a pump to an area near the bathroom to pump out waste
- fuel hookup
- fresh water hookup
- spray/ wash the windows (from the outside)
- get money from the office for the bar drawer
- stock up supplies, snacks, beverages, and ice
- Now that the boat is ready, it's time to welcome the passengers onboard (there are multiple deckhands, so you'll be tasked with half of these duties, but I'm listing them all) :
- scan tickets
- count passengers
- untie the bow and spring lines
- untie stern lines
- check the back waterway port (left) and starboard (right) sides for any moving vessels, give the "all clear in the back" on the walkie-talkie if there are none
- after the Captain moves the boat to start going forward, you're on the way to your destination(s)
- Sailing/cruising time (listing all the duties, but it's divided up):
- stand at the bar
- ring up items
- mix drinks
- bartend
- check the upper deck(s) to make sure passengers are okay and not attempting to jump off the boat or any other unruly thing
- periodically check the bathroom
- Arriving at destination:
- deckhand(s) at the bow (front/fwd):
- grab spring line, attach it to the boat
- grab bow line, tie and knot it to the boat
- deckhand(s) in the stern (back/aft):
- grab stern line, tie and knot it to the boat
- grab spring line, tie and knot it to the boat
- grab the ramp/gangway, tie it to the boat
- Leaving destination:
- same duties as #2
- End of duty responsibilities:
- this will vary, but essentially, you're counting the drawer, restocking and cleaning
- clock out at 10:30pm or 11pm
I hope this breakdown has been helpful! I won't say which ferry I'm with, but know that ferry companies are hiring. If I were with a major company, I would disclose the name. Hopefully, that will happen, and I'll come back to share with a different post :)