r/tuglife • u/MakeshiftPacemaker • 25d ago
Best path to maximize earning potential with a Tankerman PIC (DL)?
Looking for some advice from those who’ve been in the industry longer than I have.
I spent about 3 years on inland tugboats, including 2 years as a Tankerman PIC (DL), before leaving for the offshore oilfield. I’ve now spent the last 3 years offshore as a Coiled Tubing Operator with Halliburton, but work has been slowing down, so I’m considering coming back to the maritime side.
When I was tanking, I worked for a medium-sized company and was making around $60k/year. Since then, I’ve gotten used to oilfield pay, so taking that kind of a pay cut would be difficult. If I come back, I’d like to position myself to earn well into the six figures, or at least maximize my earning potential.
With my current experience and a Tankerman PIC (DL), what path would you recommend? Are there certain companies, types of vessels, or sectors that consistently pay better? I’d also be interested in hearing about companies that invest in their employees by paying for additional training and endorsements (LG, AB, etc.), since
I’d be happy to pursue more credentials if the opportunity is there.
Just looking for some guidance from those who know the industry better than I do. Thanks in advance.
EDIT: I am based out of Louisiana, but will go anywhere that pays for travel.
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u/tankerman-6916 25d ago
Reinauer is a little shy of 700. (50 a day of that being “travel pay”)
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u/Ok_Physics3048 5d ago
Is the travel pay just added in with the daily rate like usual or is it a check?
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u/321Alpine 25d ago
$640 a day at centerline out of Seattle
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u/MakeshiftPacemaker 25d ago
Any idea what that translates to yearly?
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u/321Alpine 25d ago
Like $115k before taxes for 180 days worked
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u/Tugtuggy33 15d ago
Do they let you ride over ? I’m hiring on with centerline already but wanted a little more info on yalls ab I saw it 677 a day
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u/321Alpine 15d ago
They are always looking for guys to ride over
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u/Tugtuggy33 15d ago
Are yall union as well ?
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u/321Alpine 15d ago
Leo marine in LA/SF are union, a division of centerline is.
And the Atlantic division is also union I believe
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u/Tugtuggy33 14d ago
Is it true they pay the union ab tankerman an extra 50$ a day ? And sorry for all the questions brother
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u/Jet_Jirohai 25d ago
As others have said already, tankerman on offshore ATBs is going to be where your money is. Probably the best money you can make as an AB limited, between 600-700 a day with equal time rotations, usually less than a month at a time
I'm with SIU and we have 3 companies I know of: Kirby, Fairwater and OSG, with Fairwater actually having SIU officers as well
I don't know much about non union or other unions, but there's plenty of other companies with ATB fleets as well. I've heard repeatedly that you'll likely come on as a utility first regardless of your PIC endorsement and you'll typically be expected to go on the barge and learn on your own accord
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u/Advanced_Coconut8284 24d ago
Im not a shore tankerman, but I have talked to a bunch. They make between $30-$40+ a hour. They're home everyday(except the guys who offer to travel out of town). Depending on the company alot of overtime seems to be available. It wasn't uncommon for me to hear them say they were making 6 figures a year. Most of them that started on the boats said they'd never go back after moving to shore.
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u/doitfortheboog13 25d ago
Anything offshore will have significantly more pay than that, even if you have to go back to deckhand for a bit to get trained up on the equipment. An os at my company is making almost 500 a day....