Just wanted to get an idea of how many merchant marines we've got on Diesel Bombers? If you're a sailor - an old salt or green in the gills, part of The Black Gang (engineer) or a Deckie (mate) sound off. How many years at sea? For who and where'd you sail? Hawsepipe or Academy Grad?

Here's my info:

USCG Licensed Unlimited Horsepower Chief Engineer of Steam, Motor (Diesel), and Gas Turbine Vessels. (any ship, any horsepower, anywhere)

Maine Maritime Academy, graduated in 1991
Sailing for 18 years
American Maritime Officers Union and too many other companies to list - total of 29 different ships from 500 hp, 80 foot diesel tugboat to 120,000 hp, 950 foot fast sealift steam ship.

 

Yea, hawsepipe engineer here.

Chief Limited Oceans, 2nd Asst Unlimited
Sailing too long!! Want to go home.

Oh, I forgot we are sailing on the same ship right now.
When you getting those stacks?

 

I've thought of trying to find a job on a ship, but I keep hearing that they pay crappy, work crappy hours and have crappy living conditions.

True?

 

I work 6 months out of the year (month on month off), have full benefits, 401K, satellite TV, internet, phone, and haven't made less than an average of $105K a year for the last 13 years. Yup! We got it pretty bad - but seriously, it's not for everyone. They pay for what you put up with more than what you know. Tough on the family. My wife tells all her girlfriends to run like hell if they ever meet a a merchant marine.

 

What would I be looking at from an entry-level standpoint?

 

I know entry level jobs that pay $300 a day down in the gulf, but the problems is all the new laws being implemented to do away with hawsepipers (start at the bottom and work your way up) because of 911 and the infinite wisdom of the USCG and Homeland Security. Nowadays you may have to go to school to get the required endorsements. Check out the link for info from the Coast Guard site.

USCG National Maritime Center - USCG New Mariner Licensing

 

 

I'll give it a shot, I lived on a ship for 7 months, never got over motion sickness, to noisy, didn't like working 12 hours day, then doing 4 hours of firewatch, I'm glad i'm out !!!

 

Navy?

 

Yeah your right. I was on the aircraft carrier CV66 USS AMERICA !!!