r/tuglife

I’m exploring blue-collar job opportunities in Connecticut, as I’m considering relocating there in the future. Currently, I work for the federal government as a deckhand in the US Army Corps of Engineers. While I’d prefer to remain within the government sector, I’m also curious about other trade jobs that involve running equipment, tree clearing, or barge work. I possess a strong mechanical background, along with a list of other certificates, trainings, and relevant experience.

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!

anybody got any leads on someone hiring my last outfit required us to get our mate pilot in order to get into the steersman program my mom got super ill at the beginning of the year which required me to resign I’m looking to finish what i worked so hard for.. i still need practical training… any leads would be greatly appreciated

This industry is horrible! Shitty experiences and falling apart vessels for low pay! You have no rights and get severely exploited! Crappy employer after crappy employer! DM me if interested in merchant marine i will explain better why you need to not get an mmc.

I’m 31 years old and have been in law enforcement for a little over 12 years. I’ve worked narcotics, undercover assignments, served as a tactical medic on a warrant team, and spent a little over four years as both a supervisor and field training officer training the new guys.

At this point, I’m honestly getting burned out with law enforcement and have been seriously considering a very late career change. One option I keep coming back to is finding a job at sea, possibly starting out as a deckhand on a tug, the merchant marine, oil rig work or something along those lines. I’m curious whether it would be a realistic career change at my age and if it’d be worth it in the long run.

Working at sea was actually something I considered when I was younger before I became an officer. I’ve always loved the ocean and I grew up listening to my old mans stories about his time at sea. I originally thought about pursuing a maritime career myself, but I ended up going into law enforcement somewhat on impulse and have been doing it ever since.

Now that I’m 31 and seriously thinking about leaving law enforcement, I’ve found myself coming back to the idea of working at sea. I’m just trying to figure out whether it’s still a realistic path for me and if so, whether it would be worth pursuing. What all would I need to get done to properly transition and ease into the work.

I'm going to be honest and clear.

I dont want to be a tugboat captain. i dont want to be a boat captain. i really dont want to work period. I just want to make the most money with the least work/least difficult pivot possible. with that in mind, the internet (for what ever it is worth) keeps recommending i look into tugboat captaining.

I am a 27yo maln with 100ton MMC with towing endorsement. ive done nothing but small boat captaing, deckhanding and marina work since college (that didnt work out) and even in my life and worktime, have already gotten carpal and cubital tunnel in both my arms, have stage four cartilage break down in my left knee, and minor lumbar and cervical spine compression (probably because i entered manual labor as a short, small, naturally limp-wristed small and skinny handed person) anyway, life has completely broken me down and ive been living paycheck to paycheck for it.

i really havent done much research and, being a severely depressed borderline misanthrope, i have no friends or connections, but this appears so far to be the most lucrative option with the smallest pivot. just wanted to hear from the people on reddit any opinions or advice. is this realistic? is this doable? i acknowledge ill never be happy so im just looking to be wealthy and comfortable and not overlu stressed. i need something to feed the ego and dopamine while i stavce off suicide to avoid hurting the few people left in my life.

Thanks

hello all I’m looking for some tips or insight. I’ve applied to almost 50 companies for a deckhand position. I’m green, no deckhand experience but I’ve got like 7 years of construction experience working a job that did home renos. I’ve only started applying maybe 2-3 weeks ago but my results haven’t yielded much. I’ve received rejection emails from over half of my applications and haven’t heard anything from the others. Ive called the others but when I call they just say “we will email you if we’re interested”. On Facebook, people say everybody is hiring and it’s so easy to get hired right now so I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I’ve got my Twic, valid clean DL, no felonies.

Im in middle NC but I’m to the point where I may just hop in the car and drive to Louisiana or Kentucky and go in person handing out resumes. I just don’t exactly know where to look. Can somebody tell me what the best parts of Louisiana/mississippi/Kentucky would be best to drive through to hand out the most resumes? I’m open to working any hitch length up to 30 days and will travel anywhere for crew change. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated, thank you.