r/merchantmarine

Hello gents,

Does anybody know about any deep sea companies that hire entry level? I have my mmc, twic, stcw, and passport but no experience besides unrelated labor experience. I know of military sea lift, but they aren’t looking for people right now.

Deep sea is a preference but I’m ready to get on any type of boat in the engine or deck department. I knew the market was brutal for entry-level but man I’m ready to pay someone for a reference or something😭.

I appreciate any advice or recommendations!

Anyone know if there’s anywhere near Annapolis, Baltimore, or DC that offers STCW training? I’m having issues finding a place that offers it, I live in Anne arundel county MD.

Hey all,

As I was getting my medical stuff done, everyone told me to be as honest as possible. So while down the list of issues, I did check of “alcohol/substance abuse history” because I did at one point sign up for an outpatient place for drinking, but then I realized I was NOT that bad… left, happily switched to AA, and now I have years of sobriety, on and off, as my interest in alcohol ebbs and flows.

The USCG asked me for letters from rehabs I went to, etc etc before they could approve my med cert.

Did I mess up?? It was never that serious, and now they are zoning in on it and I’m worried this will follow me forever, or that I’ll receive restrictions, or nothing at all.

How do I explain that I casually partake in AA, for more reasons than just not drinking? That it’s not that much of an issue. They want real doctors weighing in on this.

It’s maritime… I sort of figured most people check that box. We’re a rough and rowdy bunch. I didn’t think they’d lean into this so closely.

Any advice? I’m worried I just ruined everything.

Hello, I am looking into getting my mmc, but I have a few questions regarding the application. I have read time and time again that we should be upfront and honest about our past, even if it doesn't apply today.

I'm 26 years old now, but when I was a kid, I went through a lot of substance abuse problems and mental health problems that stemmed from substance abuse. I was in and out of inpatient mental hospitals throughout my sophomore and junior years. At this time, my only diagnosis was anxiety, depression, and adhd. When I was 16, I got a home invasion charge when my Xanax was laced with fentynal, and I was really itching for fentynal. I was charged as an adolescent and given 1 year of probation. When I was 17 in the middle of probation, I was on the edge of a contempt of court charge (which would have been on my adult recoed) due to failing to pass a drug test. I admitted myself to an inpatient rehabilitation facility to get around this charge and was immediately released from probation after being released from the rehabilitation program. 3 years later, when i was 20, I was abusing psychedelics pretty hard, along with my Adderall. I went into a crazy drug induced psychosis, but I never admitted to the drugs I took, so the hospital put me on a 3-day emergency hold at the inpatient mental health facility. Before the 3 days were even up, I was switched to voluntarily committed. While there, I was still not my normal self. There were still residual effects from the psychedelics happening, and I was actively trying to avoid mentioning the drugs bc I wanted to secure my Adderall prescription. While there, I was re diagnosed with anxiety, depression, adhd, ptsd, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar disorder. Immediately upon release, I went to their outpatient psychologist for my prescriptions. In the middle of the meeting, he refused to continue giving me Adderall so I walked out and have never taken another pill or drug since (other than marijuana but I haven't even done that in a while now). So, I guess I'm just wondering how this will affect me going forward. If they pull a medical history report, it is going to be a long one. I am not on any kind of medication and have not needed any kind of medication or a psychologist or a therapist or anything of the sorts in the 6 years since I completely stopped taking drugs.

Now, the inpatient facility I was at also has many outpatient services and one of them being a one-time fit for work evaluation. Would this be something I should do? Should I do it prior to applying and add it to the pdf along with the application? Should I just say no to those questions on the application since it's been over 6 years? I just know if they pull a medical record, it'd for sure mention drugs, suicide, self harm, and ect.

Obviously, we all know that entry-level positions are super hard to get these days. I’m one of the many that waited a year just to have an MSC offer rescinded last month, and I really just want to get to work. I now have an app in for THAT apprenticeship program, but I’m not holding my breath.

For those of us in the US having trouble getting a position from off the street, but aren’t ready to commit to a Maritime Academy: are there any programs offering sea time experience toward an AB or QMED rating that you would consider worth it for somebody who’s not afraid to take on a bit of debt?

They are obviously a lot of organizations offering classes and various certifications, but from outside the industry it’s a bit hard to tell which ones are reputable and would make someone actually marketable as an “experienced“ sailor.

I would ideally like a program that I could start this fall and be done with in less than a year, but I know a lot of deadlines are already past. I wouldn’t be opposed to starting in the spring if I had to.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

I’m an early 30s Navy vet and currently a white collar federal employee on a stable career path. I have an offer for a GS-13 federal job in the D.C. area ($120k+) that would come with a Top Secret clearance, retirement/pension, etc. Realistically, I could retire making $175k in today's money and with 45% of that in pension per year for the rest of my life.

I’ve also been accepted to SUNY Maritime’s grad license program, and I need to make a decision soon whether that's what I want to do. My goal would be to work on the Great Lakes. Here are my questions for you all (especially if you are a deck officer/work on the Great Lakes):

1. Am I insane (fr)
2. I know that rotations can vary significantly, but I would much prefer something like one month on/off or even three months on/off. How much freedom is there in choosing your rotation?
3. What are pensions like? I’ve done some Googling, I’m trying to hear it from people who are actually vested in a pension system.
4. How hard is this lifestyle on relationships, family, pets, and friendships? I am unmarried but want to be, and I can't have kids.
5. Does the work still feel worth it after the novelty wears off?

For background: I did three Navy deployments and spent time as a Master Helmsman. I genuinely loved shiphandling, being at sea, operational work, standing watch, being part of a crew, doing something real. Some of my best memories are from that world. I know Navy experience is not the same as merchant shipping, but it is part of why this keeps pulling at me.

All that being said, I’m very aware I may be romanticizing this. I know ships have plenty of bullshit too, but I am staring down the barrel of the next 35-ish years of work and I'm not sure the office life is for me.

Thanks for reading, I know these posts are annoying but I am very much in need of a reality check.

Hello! I've recently gotten interested in working on a ship, and am planing on also taking wielding courses at a local community college. I've also started MTF HRT a couple months ago, owning a not controlled substance without a prescription is a low class misdemeanor in the state that I live in and I'm wondering how much would I have to worry about bringing my meds with me when underway? (oral not intramuscular so just pills) Would just having them in a small medkit be fine? Or like i gotta hide em hide em? im not a narc i swear

I'm interested in joining after 12th, but I've heard mixed opinions about long periods away from home, job security, and work-life balance. For experienced seafarers, would you still recommend it? Why or why not?

hì

how can an agniveer join merchant navy after his 4 yrs service.with 12th pass and experience in trades like emp/emr.

Alright y’all, I know entry level is so saturated right now but I’ve applied to every single company on the Great Lakes…and I’m struggling to find anything, I had a nice harbor gig as the senior deckhand for a local pilot boat service but then my capt. passed away and the company closed, and I’ve been out of a seagoing job since…would it be appropriate to call these companies to follow up on my applications?

Thanks!

I’ve applied to interlake, central marine, asc, and vanekenvort and I call weekly but haven’t got anywhere as far as a date for sailing. OS here and if anyone has any advice or other places I could put my application that’d be great. I would like to stay on the Great Lakes just because I live in Michigan and it’s convenient that way.

This is the basic story of my journey so far. My intention here is to hopefully answer commonly asked question and offer some guidance for people with a similar story as mine.

I am a 51 year old male. I am from the Bay Area of California. Federal convictions for bank robbery and one state conviction for embezzlement. 3 years served in federal prison and 2 years served state prison but done concurrently in the feds, basically a paper sentence for the state. Maritime will be my second career. When I first became interested in this career it was difficult to know where to start. There is a fair amount of false information out there regarding felons and this industry. The following was my general path and timeline:

3/17/21 released from prison

1/2024 already had my US Passport so no issue there.

4/2024 applied for my TWIC , initially denied due to felony convictions and history of substance abuse. This response from them took approximately 2 months. Filled out waiver form and submitted evidence of rehabilitation ie. Character reference letters from family, friends etc. discharge from federal supervised release letter, doctors note, letter written by me explaining how my substance abuse was the sole cause of my criminal behavior.

10/2024 finally issued my TWIC Card

3/2025 applied for my Merchant Mariner Credential

3/2025 initially denied MMC, USCG informed me that for my criminal convictions there is a five year assessment period that must be satisfied first. That five year clock starts from the day released from prison. They inform me that I can reapply in one year.

During the next year while in holding pattern I took the following courses: VPDSD, STCW, AB, PSC( lifeboatman). I had fishing sea days from back in the 90's, otherwise I am green.

3/2026 I reapply for my MMC, I am told that due to the government shutdown there is a 8-12 month wait time. I use [MM-Seas.com](http://MM-Seas.com) software and consulting for my application so at least I know all my paperwork is in order. I want no mistakes to add further time to my wait. My application sits in the queue for about 43 days due to government shutdown. Government opens up and my application is processed in approximately 4 weeks. My MMC is issued and Medical Cert comes a day later.

6/29/2026 I officially join Sailors Union of the Pacific and now will wait for my first job.

The point of this story is that I was continually frustrated with doors closing on me, initial denial's, hoops to jump through, waiting periods etc. I even saw video's where supposed experts said you cannot get an MMC with felonies. There are specific assessment periods that the USCG uses for particular convictions. You will have to be diligent and figure that out if you are a felon.

Just wanted to share my journey for new people and felons who feel discouraged with all of this. I am super excited to start this next adventure.

Is there anyone who just got hired for ACL or currently in the hiring process?

I’m 18, and I’ve been looking into becoming a merchant mariner, but I had a few questions.

I know I need my TWIC card and my MMC, but I was wondering if I need to get my STCW. I heard it costs around $1,800 or more. I could save up for it, but I was kind of hoping I wouldn’t need it for my first job. Then, whenever I get some time off the ship, I could go get it.

My other question is will they expect me to know what I’m doing when I get my first job as a deckhand? I don’t get seasick, and I’ve worked construction, so I’m used to working hard. I just didn’t know if the crew on the ship would kind of show me the ropes or train me.

My next question is just about the work in general. I don’t know what it’s called, but what’s the average time on the ship like a month on, a week off type thing? What are the hours like? What’s the work like as a deckhand? I have a buddy who kind of works around ships and stuff, and he said it’s mostly painting and cleaning, but I kind of doubted that.

Edit: and like the title says how hard is it to get your first job?

i’m from Kurdistan and i want to study marine engineering in poland, and i have some questions:

am i doing a right think at this moment? is this degree worth it?

difficult is the studying in this field while at university?

can i find a job in poland or in EU after i graduate?

can i do a master degree in canada or gain some certifications in canada and work with them after that?

if i work in EU what my crew is look like? i mean what are they nationalists would be?

Hi!! I was wondering, for anyone who's gotten their med cert recently, how long it took to process? I can't seem to find any recent timelines, maybe I'm not looking in the right place, but in any event. Thank you!

I passed Class 12 this year with 58.67% PCM and 70% in English. I couldn’t qualify IMU-CET, and I really don’t want to waste another year. I’m eligible under the SC relaxation criteria, so I’m looking for DGS-approved B.Tech Marine Engineering colleges.
Which colleges would you recommend based on placements and reputation? If anyone has been in a similar situation or is already in the Merchant Navy, I’d really appreciate your advice.