I've been in this industry for a little while now, and I'm curious if you guys get shore leave. Like if you are parked at the dock and off watch does your company let you off the boat. I've been around and most companies have, until I came to the Gulf. What is your experience?
It’s so hard trying to lose weight and the pilots bring a box. With this run we get like a box a day it’s crazy
Hey all, so im my first hitch is gonna be june 22nd. I live in NY and its gonna be really hot this summer they say. I have 12 hour shifts. What are your recommendations to stay semi cool, just tips in general for my first hitch. Thanks in advance!
I’m 23F, active TWIC card, USCG med cert, MMC processing looking for inland deckhand jobs. No experience in the maritime work but used to physically laboring work as I have experience in moving rental equipment and school transport operator alongside common knowledge of the work as I have AB and captain friends who work offshore. I’m currently looking for work to gain experience, just need someone to give me a shot. I’m currently living out of the country but wondering if making a trip for a few days to apply in person may land me an opportunity faster than emailing? Any ideas,tips, or companies are appreciated
How is Kirby’s deckhand school? What’s the pass percentage of it? Do they do a pretty good job at preparing you for the final assessment? Also what knots do you need to know?
Just curious! Thanks!
I was hoping to do a quick survey of experienced tugboat crew on how you evaluate a job opportunity. What are the things that are most important to make you stay at your current spot and what would make you consider moving to a new company? This is what I’ve got and my personal order. Tell me what I’m missing or if you think I’m wrong about the order:
Pay and benefits (Easiest to quantify and as much as I like my job if I won the lottery tomorrow I would never step foot on another tug)
Company culture and management (Does the office treat guys in the field with respect, is crew morale generally high, is safety prioritized)
Quality of the equipment (Are you working on relatively new vessels or well maintained older boats. Are repairs taken care of quickly and correctly.)
Schedule (Can the company guarantee a set schedule or is it seasonal like working in Alaska or project based like some dredging and construction.)
Weather and area of operation
Company reputation (Is the company well known and respected in the industry)
27 years old and I’m going for orientation June 22nd never done anything closely related to this line of work, spent most of my adult life on a framing crew aside from about 18 months at a tungsten recycling facility. Any advice, tips, gear suggestions (gloves, weather prep, etc) would be appreciated.
Hello, those of you that’s worked at Kirby how serious are they about the clean shaven? Does that mean completely shaved to the skin or just neatly shaved and presentable? I have a short beard and I don’t shave so I’m trying to figure it all out before I get to training
My half brother graduates high school soon, and honestly I’m getting really concerned for him. He’s been applying anywhere and everywhere he can think of, but he hasn’t gotten a single callback yet. Soon he’ll have to move back with his relative which I can't even describe how bad that situation is.
Doesn’t really have anywhere else to go right now because he signed a contract promising them he move out the day he graduates. It was the only way he would have a place to live so he signed it. The clock is ticking. He already has his TWIC card but no MMC. That's going to take forever but he hopes to eventually get one just to have it.
So far he’s applied to:
Florida Marine Transporters (automatic rejection)
American Commercial Barge Line
Enterprise Products
Magnolia Marine Transport
Hines Furlong Line
Parker Towing Company
Vane Brothers (automatic AI rejection)
American Cruise Line
Founders 3 Management Company
Alliance Marine Holdings
St. Johns Marine Group
Golden Barge Line
Upper River Services
Kirby
Ingram Barge Company
Does anyone know of any other companies hiring entry-level deckhands or anyone willing to take on someone young who’s eager to work? Boats that allow him to work and sleep on them is a big plus because they are better than being at home. I know that sounds funny but his situation is that bad. I feel bad for him.
Applied to Ingram and managed to get an interview. But last few interviews with tug and barge companies didn’t go anywhere. First one I can admit was me being kind of ignorant of some aspects of the industry (they didn’t care about me being MMC certified at all. In fact it made them suspicious I was going to leave at the first opportunity for better job somewhere else). The other one I managed to be better about understanding the industry and emphasizing that I know how to be safe and a good crew member, but didn’t seem to matter either.
So basically I’m trying to get a better sense of what I need to be saying in these job interviews, because if I was completely unqualified I don’t think they’d be talking to me at all.
Hi all- Thought I'd reach out and put this question to folks working in the field...
I'm approaching 50 y/o, just left a 24 year career in the Marine Corps. Have always enjoyed sea time (though I have significantly less of it than your average Marine) and recently returned to rec diving. Realizing that I would love to do work that is more fulfilling and get out of office living, and spend more time on the water.
Here's my biggest challenge: I would love to get into tugs but am "stranded" in California due to divorce and keeping kids close to Mom. What that means is that I am concerned about being able to jump to deckhand pay- I am continuing to network with some part time options among the veteran side of things, but still don't know if I will be able to build a balance where I can keep the bills paid and work towards the needed experience...
Are there ways to build time/experience that I can manage "on the side" and progress towards appropriate licenses?
What are usable resources to help me figure out what pathways are available?
Thanks for any advice, I know this is likely a common topic to surface here and I'd love to learn from you all.
JMB
Got my MMC, TWIC,passport, medical. I live in the west coast. Wondering if yall know of any companies hiring for deckhands green on the west coast or gulf. Currently, I applied at Centerline, Western, G&H towing, Norfolk Tug (east side I know), Pacific, Dunlap. If you guys know anymore that are willing to take green guys please let me know. Just want a shot.
Anyone go through this program or know of anyone who has? What can you say about it? Does it guarantee you a job as a deckhand or higher position?
Green OS here and just got a super last minute job with a company in Alaska (not gonna name it). Was told to do a drug test. And to basically be there in 2 days from now. Little did I know the company is expecting me to pay for my own drug test out of pocket. Also the communication with the office is horrible and nobody was willing to answer my questions, even the captain on the phone was impatient when I had some simple questions. Is this normal for the industry? I’ve never experienced something like this ever and I’ve worked for some shitty places in my day. Feels cheap like if they are willing to cheap out on something like this I wonder what other corners they’d cut to save a dollar? Makes me want to pass and hold out on something else even if I have no experience.
Hi everyone,
My husband just got scheduled for a Zoom interview with American Cruise Lines this coming Monday, and we’re trying to learn as much as possible beforehand from people who have actually worked there.
He’s interested in hearing about:
What daily life onboard is really like
Pay rates and whether the money is actually worth it
Typical work hours and schedules
Living conditions/cabins
Food onboard
Management and crew atmosphere
Whether it’s a good opportunity for someone starting out in maritime work
Overall pros and cons of the company
We’ve been seeing very mixed reviews online, so we’d really appreciate honest firsthand experiences — especially from deckhands or entry-level crew.
He currently has a TWIC and is trying to break into the maritime industry, so this could be a big opportunity for him.
Thank you in advance to anyone willing to share their experience.
I am a navigation second officer.
I am trying to work on tugboats once I get a green card
What I have found so far says I need to get TWIC and MMC. Maybe basic safety trainings?
As I know my STCW Chief Mate COC will not be recognized in the us but what about basic and advanced safety trainings I have? Do I need to take again that are like USCG approved or whatever?
I believe since I have experience on working on merchant ships it is better than people who have no prior experience.
Have you seen green card holders working on US tugs?
Also Do I have to start from OS or would there be any other option for me based on my background
basic training
Just out in my application. Anyone ever work for them? I guess they do tows from Seattle to Alaska. Good company? Would be my first hitch if I get taken on.