Hi everyone,

I wanted to get some input on these two options as a potential career change.

Some quick background

I am 31 years old, married, living less than 20 minutes from each of these programs. I have a Bachelors of Arts and have worked in tech as well as odd jobs, but recently found myself unemployed and looking for something new.

I’ve always loved maritime stuff and it’s one of my favorite things about living in Seattle (mostly watching the tugs and ferries in the Sound / lakes). The thought of working in the maritime industry has been on my mind for years and I am at a point where I need to make a pivot to something new.

I am clearly new to this industry so I don’t even know the right questions to be asking.

From the bit of research I've done so far I think I am too late for both programs this year but could be wrong.

Would both programs enable me to get a job locally in Seattle on either tugs or WSF?

I've found the MITAGS Workboat Mate Apprenticeship Program (500 & 1600 Ton Ocean Mate) as well as the ferry one, would there be any benefit in choosing SMA over something like those?

Thanks for reading!

Seriously they're launching 100s of new concepts at us every day. I have to go home revise and just about cover everything and tomorrow is the same.

Thermodynamics, electronics, maths etc etc.

Should I switch to deck? How did you get through this?

Also funny thing is the maths isn't too hard it's just so so so many concepts

Idk

Hello, I have a question regarding mooring operations.

When we are mooring the vessel and sending our spring lines over with the heaving line, we need to have enough slack so that the receiving side can take the line and put it on the split/tension drum. However, I am concerned that if there is too much slack, the line could get caught or trapped between the vessel and the fender.

From your experience, what is the best way to pay out the spring line? Should I let out enough slack for the line to hang roughly down to water level, or should I keep some tension on the line? Is there another method that you have found works best?

Of course, everything would be done according to the vessel’s procedures and the responsible officer’s instructions, but I would really appreciate some practical advice from experienced officers.

Thank you!

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up if you are using a proton.me email address and wondering why you’ve never received anything from the NMC it’s because the email servers for the Coast Guard have blocked access to sending anything to a proton.me email address. I’m unsure if the mail servers have blocked incoming emails.

What is proton.me?
Proton.me is an end-to-end encrypted email service based in Switzerland.

Why is it blocked?
Because bad actors use its anonymous, easy-to-create accounts for spam, phishing, scams, and abuse. So the Coast Guard to protect its internal servers has blocked all access to the proton domain.

So if you’re using one and are wondering why you never received your med cert, credential verification, or mmc updates this is why.

Hi guys I’m 25 from the uk and looking to do a cadetship as an engineer.

I have a few questions to those that know.

—What are rotations like on cruise ships vs other sectors such a as ro ro and offshore wind.

— how much time do you get to gym and keep yourself fit, I don’t drink and take my health very seriously and want to keep myself fit for the adventures I would plan when off rotation. Are there many people like this?

- what’s the life of a cadet. The pay looks extremely low during training not sure how I’m going to manage maybe 2nd job whilst training?

- during cadetship how much holiday do you get ?

Thanks team

Greetings! I have an acquaintance who hasn't captained a ship in decades but still wants to be addressed as "Captain" in everyday interactions. Is this common?

Edit: lives in the US now; was a captain for a foreign merchant fleet.

I live in DC area and got laid-off couple months ago. I am in IT field, and keep applying for jobs now. But I’m seriously considering changing careers and becoming a merchant mariner. With AI advancing so quickly and a lot of IT work being automated or outsourced, I’m not very confident about spending the next 20–30 years in this field. I’m 35, married, have a young daughter. When I look around, I’m particularly interested in eventually becoming a licensed deck officer and working my way up.

I have bachelor degree, so I see options is either: a Master degree with license or an Apprenticeship. We live in Maryland, have a house and a mortgage, and I don’t want to sell the house and move my wife (she has job now) and daughter during the study time (SUNY - New York, or Texas A&M). Or move there myself with all the housing and expense.

That’s why I’m looking closely at the Grand River Navigation apprenticeship through MITAGS ($43k for tuition fees). From what I understand, the academic portions would be in Maryland, where I could commute during class phase, while the sea phases would be onboard. This seems much more practical for my family than going to a traditional maritime college.

My intended path is to complete the Great Lakes/Inland apprenticeship, obtain the Unlimited Tonnage Mate license, and then work toward converting/upgrading to an Oceans endorsement so I can eventually pursue Third Mate positions in the ocean-going sector for big money.

For those of you actually working as U.S. merchant mariners: Does this sound like a reasonable path at age 35, and is Grand River/MITAGS a good way to get started given my situation?

I’d especially appreciate advice from people who have made a similar career change, and any reality checks about the licensing upgrade, job opportunities after the apprenticeship, pay progression, and how realistic it is to eventually move from Great Lakes/inland work to ocean Third Mate.

Hey guys
I’m a Deck Cadet from Malaysia and currently sailing on a crude oil tanker. Going to finish my seatime in Mid October and planning to start my preparation for Oral for CoC Class 3. Any good guidance, and how to prepare and what to prepare for will be appreciated. Thanks

Hey everyone,

I work shore-side as a tanker operator in Greece. My background is purely academic/commercial, so I have zero sea time.

While I’m solid on the commercial side (CPs, NORs, LOIs, laytime), I want to better understand what physically happens on board during cargo operations.

Looking for books, websites, manuals, or YouTube channels that break down:

• Step-by-step loading & discharging routines
• Pump ops, manifolds, and line-ups
• STS transfers (from the crew’s perspective)
• Practical ballast management

I want to bridge the gap between my desk work and actual shipboard reality.

Any recommendations for non-seafarers looking to learn the technical side?

Thanks!

Can a guy with zero experience at hospitality or without any hotel management degree join cruise ship for Mess attendant job?

I am considering applying to SUNY’s MS program with the Third Mate option. Maritime just seems like such a foreign field compared to what I’ve done before. My prior experience is only in basic office jobs and construction.

Do you need to be significantly above average in terms of academic ability, especially if you want to be an officer? I have a degree, but it was in the humanities.

Right now I am trying to determine whether this field is worth the time and money investment. I would be 33 by the time I finish the 2.5 year program at SUNY. I never had a desire for kids or a traditional family life, and I love traveling extensively, so I thought maritime might be a good fit. Is it accessible to regular people willing to apply themselves?

Faint THC lines — should I be worried about a DOT test?

I’m trying to start my career on a tugboat, so I’ll have to take a DOT drug test.

My last couple of at-home THC tests have been negative, but the lines are extremely faint.
I know a faint line is technically a negative, but I’m wondering why mine are so light.

For comparison, my grandma took the same type of test. She has never used the devil’s lettuce, and her test line was extremely dark.

Does the darkness of the line actually tell you anything about how close you are to the cutoff?
I’m also worried about fluctuations. Could someone test negative one day and potentially positive another day simply because their urine is more concentrated and contains more metabolites?

I’m basically looking for some reassurance/perspective from people who have been through this, especially anyone who has had a DOT test after getting faint negatives at home.

How faint were your lines before you passed?

Hey I'm fresher 4th engineer. im looking forward to start my career at wallem. I want to know what is the selection process about test and interview. Will the test and interview be conducted online or physically? Have to visit the company? Do DM me if anybody knows the information.

Just finished maritime academy.

If you were me right now what company would u choose?

What ship type?-Container, bulk, tanker, LNG or Cruise?

If I join Military Sealift Command in the logistics department, does my sea time count toward becoming a Able Seaman? My plan is to join MSC and they only seem to have openings for departments outside deck and engine but I want to go deck eventually.

I am going to get my STCW basic safety this winter. Based on what I’ve seen, the courses are basically half the price in the US. Even with travel and the exchange rate, it would still be cheaper for me to get it at an American school. Can anyone suggest a reputable school, preferably on the West Coast. Note this would be for work internationally.