Be A Merchant Marine
Maritime Consulting Services
BE A U.S. MERCHANT MARINER
See the World! Work on ships, tugs boats, supply boats, crew boats and cruise ships. Room and Board are always provided. Excellent wages in a unique field. Male or Female can enter this field. As a Merchant Mariner, when starting out, all positions are entry level, and do not require any previous experience.
There are four year Maritime Academies that once completed, you graduate as Licensed officer in either the Deck or Engine department. There are also apprenticeship programs available, that once completed offer entry level job placement.
You may also obtain the credentials for shipping out as a Merchant Mariner on your own, and begin employment as an Entry level Seaman. In our business this is known as a hawsepiper, which means starting from the bottom and working your way up. The credentials that are required to enter this field are as follows; Merchant Mariner Credential ,Transportation Workers Indentification Clearance, STCW95 Basic Safety Training. You need a Passport if you plan to travel.
You must qualify for a Merchant Mariner Credential, Transportation Clearance and Passport . Just because you can obtain one, does not mean you can obtain the other. Within this industry, having a past criminal history does not necessarily disqualify you from obtaining the credentials and employment. There is no age limit to become a Merchant Mariner.
You must be a permanent resident of the United States to obtain U.S. Merchant Mariner Credentials. Prior sea experience working on foreign flagged vessels can be applied to obtain ratings as a U.S. Mariner.
Prior Navy or Coast Guard? Your sea time may qualify for a rating as a U.S. Merchant Mariner. If you served in the Deck department, Engine department or the flight deck, you may be sitting on a treasure of sea time that can qualify you for a rating as a U.S. Merchant Mariner. For example an OS, BM, BT, ET, and Deck seaman are assignments that are pertaining seatime. That is to say, you would not be starting out as an entry level Mariner, you would be starting out as a rated U.S. Merchant Mariner. You can enter this field regardless of how you were discharged from the service.
Veterans can enter this field as entry level Mariners, and use there Veteran status to help obtain employment preference. This puts you at a great advantage for employment by putting you at the top of the hiring list!
I am a Maritime Consultant and retired Merchant Mariner. I assist you in obtaining your Credentials, Ratings and Employment.
You must like to travel. This is a traveling job! You should like the water, and working around water. You must be able to work in confined spaces. Being able to get along with all types of people and personalities is a must if your going to get into this field. You will be required to leave home for long periods of time.
The average time away from home, when shipping foreign, can range anywhere from two months, up to six months. In some cases, you could be expected to stay even longer. You may prefer to work inland, on tug boats, crew boats, and supply vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, Coastwise, in the rivers, and on the Great Lakes. Inland work usually requires a thirty to sixty day hitch.
Many ships have single room accomodations with the exception of cruise ships. Entry level Mariners should be prepared to share a room. Most all ships have a crews lounge with a library of movies and books. Most all ships have an excercise room. Some are simple, and some are elaborate.
As a Mariner your room, food, laundry, bedding are provided. While you are on board a ship if you should be in need of medical attention it is provided. The only thing you need on board a ship are personal items. lap tops and DVD players are nice to have on board with you. Some ships may have satellite access allowing you the use of the internet.
Most companies offer vacation pay when you have completed a rotation on one of their vessels. Direct deposit, with the option of cash withdraws, on board, are how most companies pay you.
There are three departments on a ship. Deck Department, Engine Department, and Steward Department. Entry level positions are as follows; Ordinary Seaman (Deck dept.) Steward Assistant / food handler (Steward dept.) Wiper (Engine dept.)
The Deck Department / Ordinary Seaman works outside doing maintenance on the ship like chipping, painting, docking /undocking, moving cargo and standing watches. The Engine department / Wiper, works below in the engine room doing maintenance and repairs. The Steward Department/ SD, works inside the vessel, maintenance, ships supplies, food preparation. If you like to cook, and have previous experience, you can obtain a cooks position as an entry level Mariner. If you have a Culinary degree you can move right into a top paying chief cook position.
After six months of sea time you may qualify for a rating / endorsement, and move up the ladder, and into a higher pay scale. With a rating /endorsement you can have more control of your travel and shipping. For instance I don't like cold weather, so I would only ship somewhere warm!
Entry Level Mariners starting pay will vary from $4000 to $8000 monthly. This includes working overtime. Yes ! I do have some clients who are making $8000 a month with overtime ! I can guarantee that there will be overtime on your ship since you are expected to work seven days a week when on the ship / vessel.
Some companies pay a salary plus overtime, some pay an hourly rate plus overtime, and some companies pay a daily rate period. A rating / endorsement will increase your wages. A rating is acquired through Sea time / Ship Experience.
People always ask me if they are guaranteed a job once they get there credentials. My answer is, with my help, and your motivation, you will succeed, and enjoy a very unique occupation that once qualified, and experienced, will give you the experience of working, and living in various locations around the world !
There are many opportunities in this field requiring no previous experience. I have clients that ship out as soon as they obtain there credentials, and some it may take several months before they get a position on a vessel. If you follow my instruction, and give a genuine effort, you will succeed !
As a Merchant Mariner you will enjoy quality time off that most people never get to experience with there busy schedules. You will also be able to save money since room and board are always provided. There are not many jobs that allow you to do that !
Give me a call, and we will determine if Sailing is right for you! I am a Licensed Consultant, I charge a fee of $1,200 to help you obtain credentials, ratings, and assist in obtaining employment. I teach you this business. I require a $650.00 deposit, with the balance due of $550.00 when you have your credentials, and we are actively seeking employment. I will not be able to assist you, if you are not eligible to obtain the credentials. I can determine that by having a short conversation with you, and asking a couple of questions.
The fees to obtain all your credentials will be approximately $1,400, Here is how it breaks down;
1) Merchant Mariner Credential = $140.00.
2) Physical and Drug screen = $120.00.
3)Transportation Clearance = $140.00
4) Passport = $140.00
5) STCW95 basic safety traing = $700 to $900.00 depending on where you go to take the course.There are a few companies that offer the safety training class once your hired. Most do not, and If your serious, and want to get a job without delay, then you do the training. If you want to try for employment without it, be prepared for it to take longer to obtain employment .
If you are eligible for a rating, and want to obtain the rating, there will be additional fees required for obtaining that rating. I always recommend you get the rating if you qualify, and can afford to do so. If you don't have the finances to obtain the rating at this time, then obtain entry level credentials for now , go to work, and obtain the rating at a later date. Your sea experience never expires. . Many companies will assist with obtaining ratings after you've become a permanent employee with them.
Here's my background;
I have been a Mariner for eighteen years. I started my career working for Military Sealift Command / Department of Defense in 1980. I joined the Seafarers International Union in 1991. In 2002 I attended the S.T.A.R. center for Deck Officers training in Toledo Ohio. I finished my career working as a Bosun for American Overseas Marine. A Bosun is the highest unlicensed Merchant Mariner Deck position . I started this Maritime Consultant service in 2007. I've been very successful in helping people obtain careers in this field. I have an impressive reference list upon request, that I update regularly .
Entry level Mariner positions are very obtainable! Rated Mariners are in demand! If you would like to use my service, I will make sure you have everything you need to succeed in this industry. I will be there to assist you throughout your sailing career. This is a real opportunity for someone looking to get into this unique field. This is a rare service that I offer.
Gene Scandurra @ 904-891-6330 or GWISDOM2@AOL.COM
LICENSED DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA # 1000038846
Hours of operation
Monday thru Saturday (9am to 9pm) EST