r/merchantmarine

Will the clinic have me pee once or twice for both test I know some are different let me know if any of you guys or girls only had to pee once.

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:

1. 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

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. Leaving destination:

- same duties as #2

6. 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 :)

I’m 24 years old looking to get in this field can someone guide me in the right direction. I live in Texas if that matters

I have a zoom orientation with ACL later today and my father in law just passed a few days ago so I haven’t had time to get a haircut or shave or anything and I also had to get right back to work since I couldn’t get bereavement. Will I be ok for my zoom orientation? What’s the general expectation from them during the orientation?

UPDATE: I called ACL and let them know my situation and that I would not meet grooming standards for the orientation and they sent me this email:

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out and letting us know that you are unable to meet our grooming standards prior to orientation.

As a one-time courtesy, we will allow you to attend orientation. Please note that you will be expected to meet all grooming standards moving forward. Please review the attached grooming standards and ensure you have fully read and understood the standards.

Let us know if you have any questions! We are excited to meet you next week!

Any thoughts?

If I become a sailor, how common is it for there to be a priest onboard who does masses and hears confessions?

Not having a priest is like not having a doctor. If something goes wrong with your soul, you're fucked.

Same thing with your body. Now, sometimes God miraculously cures your body or your soul if there is a problem with it, but we don't know when this happens and this is known only to him when he chooses to do so. Hoping for a miracle to cure your body is asinine if you could just take aboard a doctor and get the same effect, so I don't see why a priest is any different.

Hi, I currently work as seasonal process operator at total energies(bitumen) in uk. I have wide industrial experience as process operator, machine operator, furnace operator. I got loads of experience specially with health and safety, hsqe,coshh etc. my contract ends in October 1st and I’m looking for that first opportunity to go offshore. I don’t have bosiet and oeuk but I’m willing to do it if that first opportunity comes asap, what I don’t want to do is spend 1200£ and just waste it away. I’m aware there is thousands of applicants for this jobs. I really have strong cv, right mindset and learn very very quickly, but I need realistic advice if is even worth pursuing something who only people with studies and courses have. Thank you

Title asks it all. Is there a job where you work on the boat, but in theory you could quit or get fired or do you have to sign your life away?

Obviously I'd rather not quit during the journey because then I'd be barred from every company that ever finds out about it, but I would rather have that legal option than not.

Secondly, Must you wake up at 6, or do they have second shift? Is it always a 12 hour shift?

Thinking about switching trades (kinda) as I went to school and done my heavy equipment tech and worked at this for a year and got out of it as lost interest being underneath trucks all day lol. I still love wrenching but I have a huge passion for boats. I own a small speed boat and use it almost every day of the summer. I am from the Canada Martimes area and wondering if it’s a wise choice to go to Pei and do the 10 week engine room rating course at holland college. How is the job outlook and how hard is it specifically to get a 90 day work term as a cadet. Thanks

Where can I apply with this?

Let's say the captain, or somebody, wants to address everyone, where would that happen? In old movies the crew would stand on the quarter deck, while the captain stood on the poop deck, but those are old ships. I'm writing a book and part of it takes place on a container ship, but I'm not a merchant marine. Thanks.

Hey the other watchstanders and I are a little dumb, we can not for the life of us figure out whether we should be showing up 20 minutes late or we minutes early for a clock retard at 0200? For some reason we're showing up 20 minutes late for retarda and advances and that does not seem right.. I could've sworn we're supposed to be showing up late for retards but I honestly don't know. Any help ( and explanation) would be much appreciated.

I submitted mine exactly a week ago and got the email that it was accepted for processing today. I also finally got the email that my original MMC application was accepted for processing as well, so im just trying to gauge whether I should get both printed around the same time

Hello everyone. Please bear with me as I am somewhat of a newcomer to this whole thing and do not know everything. I am 17, going to be 18 in two months and am looking into beginning the process of getting my TWIC & MMC and eventually, hopefully joining the merchant marine as a deckhand. I have done some research into the steps and what I need to make this happen, but I also thought it wouldn't hurt to come here and ask for some advice and assistance from people who probably have more knowledge and definitely more experience than I do. Enough with the long introduction, I'll just get to it. As far as I know right now the very first step for me is to get my TWIC. Is there anything I should know before beginning that process? I feel like just going for it out of nowhere and applying for it without really knowing more of the minor details would not be a good idea, which is why I am asking here.

I hope all of that was coherent enough to make some sense. I can give more info if necessary, but I'm more so just here to inquire on the very beginning steps into becoming a mariner. Thanks all for your assistance. :)

I have all my required documents and im looking for any entry-level positions. im also open to different types of vessels and locations.

Hello everyone!

I have been using this sub as a guide while I have been working towards my Able Seafarer license and going through the whole process with the NMC.

I recently received my letter to test and I have four tests I have to take:

Q445 - LIFEBOAT OPERATOR
Q450 - NAVIGATION AND RULES OF THE ROAD
Q451 - DECK GENERAL/SAFETY
LB03 - LIFEBOAT OPERATOR (PSC) ASSESSMENTS

My question is, how does this process work? Do I just call the closest REC and schedule a test? I have looked for study material and all I have found is the practice exams, which I printed out and have been taking.
Has anyone taken courses at the maritime institute that satisfy any of these testing requirements?
I also read somewhere that LB03 is a practical exam? How does I prep for that?

Sorry for the long post but I’m just looking for some clarity here as the NMC folks have been less than helpful when it comes to fi providing any information.

Thank you!

I will be getting my TWIC, MMC, and Basic safety training soon and want to know where I should look for entry level jobs as an OS or Wiper.

I’m interested in going to maritime academy to become a 3rd engineer but want to see if life at sea is right for me before making the commitment.

I’d like to be out for 2 months or more to see how I take it mentally.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Anyone prefer field engineering? Only being gone 3-5 days maximum and then home for some time. Like a 9-5 still home for weekends and some weekdays?

what are shore opportunities for ETOs available?

Hey, incoming apprentice for class 943. Just curious what did/do you guys do to pass the time? The reason I’m asking is that I am a musician and I make beats. Is it OK for me to bring a small analog drum machine Or is that a no-no?

Also just interested in seeing what you guys do on downtime besides studying.