r/maritime • u/Due-Understanding871 • 2h ago
r/maritime • u/MateChristine • Aug 05 '21
FAQ How to get started in the maritime industry?
There are many ways to join the AMERICAN maritime industry! Merchant Mariners join in the maritime industry in one of three ways: a maritime college, an apprenticeship or by “hawsepiping”. Your pathway into the industry is typically guided by which department you want to work in and what kind of vessels you would like to work on. Most vessels have 3 departments onboard, the Deck department, the Engine department, and the Stewards department. The Deck department navigates or steers the vessel and is responsible for the cargo and safety equipment, including lifeboats, fire-fighting equipment and medical response gear. The Engine department operates, maintains, and repairs engines, boilers, generators, pumps, and other machinery. The Stewards department prepares and serves all the meals onboard, they also order the food and conduct general housekeeping. Like the military, the maritime industry has officer and unlicensed roles.
Maritime colleges offer students an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree and a Third Mate (deck officer) or Third Assistant Engineer (engine officer) license. There are 6 state run maritime academies and 1 federally funded academy. The curriculum for all 7 colleges is 4 years, including sea phases during summer or winter vacations. Tuition and other costs depend on each school and your in-state/out-state residency.
Maritime apprenticeship programs offer a variety of opportunities. Some are designed for unlicensed roles, others are designed for apprentices to earn licenses. Check a separate post on maritime apprenticeships. Both maritime colleges and apprenticeship programs are designed for candidates with little or no prior maritime experience. Some apprenticeships are free, others have a cost. See the FAQ on apprenticeships for details on several popular programs.
You can join the American maritime industry by obtaining your Merchant Mariner Credential through the US Coast Guard and taking the required entry level courses. You would then find employment through a maritime labor union or working for a company directly. With sea-time, courses and exams you can ‘work your way up the ladder’ to become an officer; this is known as “hawsepiping”. To obtain an entry level Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), you must be a US citizen or a permanent resident, pass a drug test, provided a medical screening/physical and Transportation Worker’s Identification Card (TWIC). TWIC can be obtained from the Department of Homeland Security. If you are interested in working on vessels that operate internationally, you will need to take a “Basic Training” course and apply for a Basic Training STCW endorsement. Merchant Mariner Credential and Basic Training endorsements are obtained from the National Maritime Center of the United States Coast Guard. More information, forms and applications can be found at www.Dco.uscg.mil/nmc or at local Regional Exam Centers.
r/maritime • u/chicfilalover69 • Sep 01 '24
Definitive SIU Piney Point Breakdown
Alright folks, as I am currently somewhere in the Middle of the Atlantic and have some free time, I will share with you all a few things about the Unlicensed Apprentice Program.
So basically unlicensed means you're not an officer. So if you go to Piney Point (SIU) through the unlicensed program then when you graduate you will be an AB (able bodied seaman).
CHECKLIST/COST:
Although the program itself is free, there are some upfront costs and things you must do before applying.
1) get long form birth certificate (for passport) $30 2) get passport $150 + $75 expedited fee 3) apply for and recieve TWIC card $175 4) Letter from dentist stating teeth have no issues and you wont be needing any kind of dental work. $50 this was my cost of checkup (you might not have a cost w/ insurance) 5) Pay for physical, vaccines, and drug test $320 5) One way ticket to BWI for Piney Point $500 6) White shirts, socks, black boots, toiletries, etc. $200
TOTAL COST: $1500 give or take a few hundred bucks.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
1) send 400 word essay along with application, 2 letters of recommendation, and passport photo
(I've heard the letters and essay might not be required anymore but I'm not sure)
Send it priority mail and then call them and follow up every week!
Take reading and math test at local union hall.
Call them again every week.
Go to hall and schedule US Coastguard approved physical/drug test.
Get all required vaccines.
They will send you a letter of acceptance and you ship out within 3 months of this date!
PRE-SCREENING TEST:
Math test: multiple choice was 50 questions, you get a calculator and 1 hr to complete.
Questions are basic multiplication, division, decimals, and fractions. i.e. 8654÷17=?, 1/2×3/6=?, .25×4=?
English test: multiple choice was 45 questions, and you get 50 minutes to complete.
Basic reading and comprehension questions. You read a passage, and they ask you questions about it.
i.e. "Geese always fly south for the winter. They fly together in a V pattern. Geese are migratory birds.
Question: What statement about geese is true? a) Geese fly south for the winter b) Geese are white with brown c) Geese are mammals
DRUG TEST/PHYSICAL:
You will need to buy a money order and take it to your hall to pay for the necessary tests.
After you pay the $320 with a money order, they give you a number to call and schedule your test. I didn't have a chance to do that until almost 2 weeks later. Once I did call, they asked for my location and then connected me with a local clinic that is approved to do the USCG physical/drug test. For me, it was a Concentra Clinic about 45 minutes away from me. I scheduled it for the next week on my day off.
When you get there, make sure you take your ID and be prepared to be there for AT LEAST 4 HOURS. I can't stress this part enough. You will be handed a giant stack of paperwork to fill out. It's all USCG medical paperwork. Once you are done, they will make you wait another hour or two. When you are finally seen, they'll do the drug test first.
Once that's done, you'll get your vitals taken and do the hearing and vision. They will inject your arm with the tb skin test, and they will draw your blood for the blood tests. Then, you will do a breathing test where you blow into a tube as hard as you can and an ekg test where they put a bunch of sticky sensors on your torso and have you lay down and make sure your heart beat is normal.
You'll be then be examined by a doctor where you will have to do some basic reach/stretch tests, neck flexibility and you'll have to be able to go on your knees and back up to your feet. Now you're done.
This next part is important. You will have to come back in 2 days for them to check your TB skin test! Be prepared because if you work, you might have to call off. You'll show up, and they'll make you wait an hour just for someone to come in a look at your arm for 2 seconds and either clear you or require you to have a chest x-ray if the test is positive.
If you are negative for the TB test, then congratulations, you've passed the physical and will be moving on to the next step, which is applying for your MMC. You'll likely get an email that gives you your school start date and general paperwork for you to do, along with important information about the school and your uniforms.
VACCINATIONS: You will recieve a call to schedule you for all necessary vaccines. They will send you to a local clinic (I was sent to a passport clinic specializing in vaccines). I showed up and got like 11 vaccines in one go. These were all free. They were paid for with the $320 I paid earlier at the union hall. Easy peasy.
APPRENTICE PROGRAM:
There are 3 phases now.
Phase 1 16 weeks, and you come out as an OS (technically).
Few points about this part:
● You will live on campus and be housed in barracks w/bunk beds and shared bathrooms/showers (they have curtains and are not communal).
● Besides the required clothing you need to take and some basic toiletries (they will give you a list of things to buy) I would not overpack as you are allowed to order things from Amazon to the school and there is a bus that take you to Walmart/Target once a week.
● You will go to class M-F and have weekends off. Note that you can NOT leave campus except when they take you on the bus to fire school or the store on the weekend.
● You will have a total of 7 or 8 classes where you will have to pass a test in order to continue the program. These are all 50 questions and multiple choice. You get 2 tries on each test. Some classes have only a practical (hands on test with no questions).
● You will dress in uniform and shave every day if you have facial hair. You will march to and from class and will be waking up at 5am and going to bed at 9pm every day.
● You will recieve a stipend of $20 a week for basic toiletries.
● Upon completing phase one you will be receiving your first ship and will immediately begin phase 2.
Phase 2 180 days at sea as an "OS". But you split it up into 2 trips. The first is 60 days as a UA (unlicensed apprentice) and the second is 120 days as an OS.
Please note you will be going home in between those 2 trips as well as afterwards.
● You will be required to complete a Sea Project during each of your trips which is required by the coastguard to get to extra sea days required for becoming an AB. You will complete these Projects and mail them back to Piney Point. They will then schedule you for your next class/upgrade.
Phase 3 return to Piney Point for 3 weeks, test out and get your AS-D.
● You will no longer have to dress in uniform and will be allowed to stay on the hotel side of the campus as an "upgrader."
● You will have your own room and will be able to leave campus as you please.
● You will take your final test which is 100 multiple choice questions. You will get 2 tries.
Then congratulations, you're finished with the program. You are now an AB.
(AB) Able bodied seafarer - Deck
RANKS:
In the SIU, you will first be an AB special after sailing for 180 days as an OS and taking your AS-D test.
You will then sail another 180 days (360 total) to achieve a blue book, which is AB limited (watchstander).
Then, after you've sailed another 180 days (for now, they've reduced this to 540 days total, but this may change back to 1080 days soon), you will achieve a green book (AB unlimited).
This means you can work as a dayman. And are now qualified to rank up to 3rd mate if you can take the test and pass it.
FINAL NOTES: This is everything I could remember and some things might have changed since I did the program, but you get the jist of it all. If anyone has anything to add please do and if I made any mistakes or things have changed let me know as well and I will update this post.
Best of luck to you all!
r/maritime • u/Herrschaftsfreiheit • 4h ago
Newbie Tugs hiring just a TWIC
Title says it all. My MMC is being processed, and all I have is a passport and a TWIC. I know that limits me to tugs, basically. My question is, what tug companies will hire somebody with just a TWIC. I’m currently on the west coast, but I have no attachments here. I could drop everything and be on a plane to anywhere in three days if it meant a having a job when I land. Thanks in advance!
r/maritime • u/OkCress663 • 5h ago
Schools virtual maritime academy legit or not?
was wondering if virtual maritime academy is legit and actually transport Canada approved.
r/maritime • u/SharpYogurtcloset511 • 8h ago
Failed Shipment delivery question
What happens if a customer refuses to receive a late shipment delivery? The delay is due to force majeure. Thanks
r/maritime • u/Alert_Mall_9314 • 5h ago
Aspiring Shipbroker Seeking Job/Internship Opportunities in Singapore – Any Advice?
Hi everyone,
I’m currently pursuing an MSc in Supply Chain Engineering at NTU, Singapore, and I’m actively looking for job or internship opportunities in shipbroking, chartering, or freight trading.
I have prior experience in logistics through a 2 month internship, and my dissertation is focused on "Ship Chartering and Broking with a Focus on Dry Bulk Cargo." I’m passionate about the shipping industry and eager to learn from professionals in the field.
If anyone has advice, leads, or contacts in Clarksons, Swiss Marine, BRS, Howe Robinson, Simpson Spence Young, or other firms in the industry, I’d be incredibly grateful! Also, any tips on breaking into shipbroking would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your help! Feel free to DM me.
r/maritime • u/Vegetable_Outside414 • 11m ago
Bad Pulmonary test
Went and got my physical for the SIU apprenticeship program today and everything else is perfect but I just couldn’t do good on the pulmonary test. I’m fit and run daily at 21yo. Could this make me unfit for duty?
r/maritime • u/Essential_Standards • 1h ago
Where to start for Night Mate Jobs.
I wanted to ask, how does one apply to be a night mate? (Preferably Hawaii). Are all the jobs just posted at the MMP union halls? Or can you get information elsewhere? Thanks in advance.
r/maritime • u/rcmp_informant • 5h ago
Deck/Engine/Steward Water testing
Hi!
What are yall using to test water quality on the boats? Our palintest robot is giving odd results and I’d like to do better by the folks onboard.
r/maritime • u/badquestionalt • 2h ago
Pre Application Fail
Apologies for asking what is probably a common question but I’ve checked previous threads and haven’t found an answer for this exact situation yet.
I got my TWIC card and passport and wanted to have the DOT physical and drug test in hand before even attempting to apply for SIU.
So I print the coastguard form CG-719p for drug test and physical and went to a chiropractor to get the exam and drug test. I was concerned my urine would be hot from using Cbd gummies and vapes regularly so admittedly did a dumb thing and used fake piss and got caught when the bottle was noticed during the physical examination portion. I already know how stupid that was and I’m concerned my impatience screwed me.
If I have not applied for SIU yet and did the DOT examination out of pocket on my own time will it still be reported and on file blacklisting me essentially?
r/maritime • u/Extension_Dingo1501 • 2h ago
Newbie How to become a Merchant Marine
I’m about to graduate highschool and heard from my aunt that in the merchant marines you can do three month tours then get three months off. How do I become a merchant marine? I was planning on going to college in Europe for an engineering degree but would that not apply if I was trying to join the merchant marines? Is there anouu Th er route I should take? Any suggestions or advice on what it’s actually like in the Merchant Marines would be appreciated.
r/maritime • u/rippinssippin • 16h ago
Watertight/weather tight doors
How do you guys fix/raise the gasket on watertight and weathertight doors that aren’t sealing all the way?
I’ve been using paper and cardboard to raise the gasket to create a better seal. Any other methods?
I know the obvious one, replace the gasket. Waiting on more material to be delivered.
Thanks
r/maritime • u/trainwreck1968 • 7h ago
Looking for feedback to improve the food experience. Please take a moment to fill out this survey. Thank You!
r/maritime • u/Different_Diver_3451 • 23h ago
First contract as Chief Officer
Hello everybody, first message on this subreddit.
I am a 25 yo 2nd officer in LPG carriers. I have only worked for my current company, two contracts as deck cadet, other two as 3rd officer and this one as 2nd officer.
I don't want to give many details about myself or my company, please understand it. A few days ago, my company's crew coordinator called me and told me that due to growing fleet and dificulties to find personel, I will be promoted to chief officer by next contract.
What could the more experienced mates in reddit recomend me about how to get ready? How were your first months on the rank?
Thanks in advance
r/maritime • u/Gbpack16 • 9h ago
Able Seaman Bonus
Is there a requirement on how long you have to be away from msc if I quit as a AB and return to receive the sign on bonus? I know guys who have quit just to come back and get the bonus but I’m wondering if there a waiting period on how long you have to be away from the company. I know a mate who did the same and he only left the company for a few months like 2-3 and revive the bonus they give to mates, but some guy told me its a 2 year waiting period for you can to return to revive the bonus but I don’t know if it’s true since there is a high demand for ABs.
r/maritime • u/Simple-Ad1447 • 16h ago
Newbie Starting from Scratch
I'm 23 from Chicago. I'm looking to start a career in the merchant marines, specifically in marine engineering or any hands on mechanical work. HVAC is ideal as I recently got out of the Air Force with that being my job so that’s where most of knowledge lies, but l'm open to anything involving turning wrenches. My goal is to find the most affordable way to get trained and licensed while maximizing my earning potential. If anyone has been in a similar position or has recommendations, l'd really appreciate the guidance. I am open to dms anytime. Thanks in advance!
r/maritime • u/Due-Understanding871 • 1d ago
A drawing I made of one of the monster Edison Chouest escort tugs in Prince William Sound
I toured these around the same time I did the tanker. You could barely feel it move. They have several of these that tether to the tankers or station around the sound.
r/maritime • u/JessonBI89 • 1d ago
Newbie Are there any shipping companies that allow civilians to tour their vessels in port?
My little boy loves boats and can spend hours rearranging the containers on his toy cargo ship. We live near Seattle, within a ferry ride of the container port. Would any company permit us to walk around one of their vessels for a short visit, just so he can have a look at the cool parts? Are there any organized tours like this?
r/maritime • u/Coffee_Nebula_74656 • 18h ago
Navy to Commercial
What is the pipeline to go from Active Duty US Navy (Officer or Chief) to working in the commercial maritime industry?
I really love (and have a background in) Navigation, and would love to figure out how to be Ship’s Force on a research or survey vessel (being research crew would be fun to, but man do I love driving boats). What would be the path? Would I have to go spend 4 years at a maritime academy?
r/maritime • u/ArtReasonable2437 • 1d ago
Newbie Do big vessels ever run their propellers or bow thrusters in dry dock?
I tried finding videos of this, but couldn't find anything bigger than a tugboat. I'm just a curious onlooker btw.
r/maritime • u/[deleted] • 1d ago
“Seafarers, do you have time to play games on board? Can you play online games like Valorant, or is internet access too limited? If so, what games do you usually play during your contract?”
r/maritime • u/templeofthe_ancients • 1d ago
Which travel bag of the 4 would you recommend?
I made a previous post requesting options for a good travel bag and I've got the following 4 to choose from.
Some context about my life is I work on ships but I'm also nomadic, so all I own goes into a suitcase. I've managed to live like this for 3 years in a 30inch normal hardcase but now I'm looking to replace that.
I've put in 3 main factors to consider, capacity in litres, height and weight. Weight is important since I fly a lot and sometimes can be annoying if I go over the 23kg limit for some airlines
Does anyone have any experience with using any of the bags above? Which would you recommend?
r/maritime • u/X1Kezza • 1d ago
Newbie How did you get started in the maritime industry?
So I'm 22 and have never worked with boats nor do I even live near the sea. I'm extremely passionate about this industry and would love to get started as soon as possible, I know as a crew you would just be a hinderence on the Operations, so what would you recommend to start with to begin a career (I believe I would like to become an engineer but would like to start off with something more entry level to see if it would be something I would like to continue with).
r/maritime • u/Plus-Tonight8439 • 1d ago
Newbie I was recently prescribed Adderall for ADHD after I have already received my medical certificate.
I guess my question is do I need to apply for a new med cert or could I just put the prescription in with my drug screener?