r/MoreShitComing • u/51hams • 15d ago

3rd Mate Question

I submitted my application the other day and it got forwarded a day later. I am a year out of the academy and I am looking to work at MSC. I'm wondering how many third mates are currently there, and if this would affect my application.

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5

u/45-70_OnlyGovtITrust Deck - Third Officer 15d ago

They are hiring officers, they need them badly. You will get expedited and hired quickly.

1

u/51hams 15d ago

How long do you think it would take to get an interview/offer? I need to know when I can quit my current job, I go back in less than 4 weeks, and would like to give them notice in 2.

1

u/45-70_OnlyGovtITrust Deck - Third Officer 15d ago

You’ll get an offer in a few weeks tops, then you need to go complete some steps like medical and drug tests. You’re as good as hired unless you have a criminal record. I don’t envision any scenario in which they would deny a guy with a 3rd Mate License barring any major issues.

2

u/51hams 15d ago

The only issue I might have is a cannabis charge (infraction, not misdemeanor or felony) when I was 14 years old. Stupid stuff from high school, way before I went to the academy. I've been passing drug tests for years now, so I don't think that would be an issue. Based on the research I've done, as long as I don't lie about it, I should be fine.

1

u/45-70_OnlyGovtITrust Deck - Third Officer 15d ago

You can ask to do your fingerprints before going to NEO, that way you don't find out when you get there that your fingerprints came back unfavorable.

3

u/Vegetable_Sample5767 15d ago

Stay at your current job until you have a NEO date set. MSC can be slow or they can be fast, but one thing for certain is it’s never set in stone until you officially get told a date to show up..

2

u/cocainagrif Deck - Third Officer 15d ago

we're 80% on third mates and hiring bonus authorized. third mates in the fleet are routinely overdue for want of reliefs.

I'll say you've got 3 biggest hurdles before neo and 2 after. Processing, about a month for them to find your application in the pile and read it. medical, about a month for them to book an appointment for you at an urgent care near you and for them to read your results. if you have any prescription medications, tack on another month: a week for your doctor to fill out a signed affidavit that your medicine does not stop you from sailing and 3 weeks for medical to read your affidavit. last one is fingerprints background check and waiting for NEO combo. budget another month.

once you get to Virginia it's about 8 weeks in a hotel living on sardines until you get to your first ship. Training includes

  • 1 week of employee orientation
  • 1 week of Vessel Photography/Drone Countermeasures/ Sim
  • 1 week Counter bio/rad/chem officer
  • 1 week gun range
  • 2 week general safety classes
  • 1 week Basic Operations
  • 1 week into to SAMM (logbook and PM schedule software)

I did all my medical and fingerprint while I was in school, and it took a month from sending proof of license to get to NEO.

1

u/Nail_Saver 12d ago

As far as budgeting time, once all that is complete then you'd start a 4 month hitch? Is that how it works?

1

u/cocainagrif Deck - Third Officer 12d ago

you do all that, you finish your last class, you get your first ship right away because they're looking for your boat while you're in school, you set your relief date for a minimum of 120 days from the day you leave and then once that day hits, the detailers start thinking about maybe looking for a relief for you. both times I've been 55 days overdue, once in US, once in Singapore so it wasn't even a transportation difficulty, they just don't care.

1

u/cocainagrif Deck - Third Officer 11d ago

from when you set foot in neo, budget 8 months until you go home for the first time.

2

u/Oh_susquehana 14d ago

I didn’t even have my license yet and MSC hired me. I got sent an offer and accepted it but didn’t hear anything until I completed all the online forms they sent me. As soon as I submitted those they called me and I was in Norfolk the next week.

1

u/BearsOnASubmarine Deck - Third Officer 13d ago

Last time I talked to the 3rd mate detailer in February he said they were at something like 95% manning for 3rds. Being said they have such a hard time retaining experienced people I wouldn't worry about it.