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Random Quote: Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.
I am schooling now to get my 100 ton masters. I have some ideas as what I'd like to do like charter fishing and guide services. But I know there are tons and tons of other career options out there. Im just looking for some ideas as to what you guys and girls have thought at one time "man that would be a cool a$$ job!"
Background info:
22 years old, white, single, currently own a landscaping and lawn maintenance business but I am seriously considering selling out and will have no problems doing so to chase my dream of being on the water. I am willing and able to move to where I may be needed. Rather move to somewhere warmer than cooler but wouldnt we all.
Just give me some ideas as what you would wanna do or what you did.
I don't recommend it. During tough times/high fuel cost, non essential boating/ fishing is curtailed.
You can get the license but don't expect them to beat your door down looking for your newly acquired services. There are lots of very highly qualified boat captians out there now struggling.
You need a job that will ALWAYS be in demand, like auto mechanic. people need their car to get to work. Boat mechanics,salesmen,fishing captns are not all that busy...Food industry ,people have to eat.
Maybe get a truck CDL . You could then haul food or essential items.
I have a 100 ton license and it is worthless as tits on a boar hog, I am getting too old.
It is like getting a college degree , that does not mean you quit learning after you graduate.
If you must try it then the FL Keys offer year round fishing, slows in Aug and Sept.
However it is expensive to live here. Most young captains here in the keys start as a mate and learn the real techniques of fishing, some boat maintenance.
My son is a sucessful Keys fishing Capt. He gets inquires daily/ weekly about employment.Sorry..
Man, you couldn't be more wrong.
Pay for the job I described has DOUBLED in the last 7 years. Demand for qualified captains is at an all time high. Qualfied, experienced captains can now nearly dictate their pay & schedule. I don't know of any captains that I described as "struggling" on $125,000 + a year.
Quote:
You need a job that will ALWAYS be in demand,...Food industry ,people have to eat.
You could then haul food or essential items.
What do you think is in all those barges??? Non-essential items?
We like pushing thousands of tons of cargo for FUN!?
The last two months as I drive by Holiday Isle Marina in Islamorada ALL the boats are in the Marina at 10 am. Occasionally you will see 1 or 2 out. Similar at Whale Harbor and about 30-40% out at Bud n Mary's . I would call that pretty bad.
By ALL means go to LA. and push freight . I thought the young man was talking about being a FISHING Captain. Freight is freight however it is moved . Shipping is by far the cheapest per mile, so it should increase.
I am a retired airline pilot. My last 8 years was hauling freight ,mainly at night.
I hauled some things that I could not believe was going on an airplane , like Xmas trees to the Bahamas. Compared to Passenger flying freight was always near being overgrossed, like roses from Bogota, fish from Ecuador ,etc. However those boxes don't talk back about being 45 minutes late
or the turbulence. Airline pilot job today is just a glorified Bus Driver.
My best friend son works for Maersch and he has been continously employed for 20 years.
Reread the above posts as they are both spot on for the areas they represent.
There are many "cool" jobs in the marine industry BUT they all require large amounts of experience and a fair share of being at the right place at the right time.
A bit overly simplistic here I would look into a stint with the US CG, being paid while you gain experience, travel while your young and research your options.
There's always a water taxi driver in Annapolis or Baltimore - laugh as you might, but such requires a masters license. You won't earn a $100K your 1st year or any year thereafter, but the experience you gain and contacts you make can propel you into a far more prestigious position. Or a towboat operator with your local towboat operator.
No owner is going to handa 22 yr oldthe keys to a tug or yacht without documented experience and proven proficiency in operation and handling of comparable sized vessels. Don't be afraid to start at the bottom and climb the career ladder.
A tour of duty in the Coast Guard will give you a solid background and experience in the operation and handling of avariety of vessels ranging from a 25ft RHIB right up to 400ft Ice Breakers.
There's more to being a captain than just drivinga boat, get yourself some marine diesel classes, so you can troubleshoot and repair the powerplant if needed. Electrical classes will also benefit you.
__________________
"Never approach a dock faster than you can afford to hit it!"
Remember, once you get that 100 ton license still means you dont know everything. Do like the others have said and take EXXXTRA classes. It is like a highschool diploma once you get it they cant take it from you but you never stop learning either.
The offshore supply boat industry in south La. is wild. There is high demand for lics. Captains. 100-200 and lift boat operators. I obtained my 100 ton to charter weekend however a few of the other Captains I attended school with are doing well and have all the work they could ever dream of. Give me a e-mail and I will get you some info!
Ben, if you don't mind telling me, what kind of $ is involved in taking these classes? I've been thinking about this for a while. Also, where are you doing them? I'm kind of in your area.
If anyone thinks they can walk on with a 100T master ticket and go straight to the wheelhouse with no experience, they are crazy. And "I've been fishing for years" does not count as experience. You work the deck for a few years to get a mate seat, then after a few years as mate, you may get a master seat.
I'm not trying to be a negative nancy here, just realistic. I worked in the oilpatch for a few years on tugs. It's a great, exciting job. I loved it. But you have to put in your time before they let you touch the tiller.
If I were to do it all over again, I would go down in the engine room rather than up to the wheelhouse. Almost the same pay, but not nearly as much BS.
You live in Chesapeake I see, well here are your options:
1. The Spirit of Norfolk, start as a deckhand and maybe you will be a p/t capt before to long. ( i worked there for a long while)
2. Elizabeth River Ferry a few months of deckhanding and they will let you learn how to run the boat. (worked there as well as a capt.)
3. Tugs - start as a deckhand go get your 200 ton STCW, radar, and Steersman ticket then they may let your learn how to run the boat. (where i am now)
4. The GOM always needs some 100 ton capts. (try not to run over anything)
5. dont bother at rudee inlet i already have its a family affair...
6. go down to the Va and MD pilot stations next to the lesner bridge, they might need a pilot launch crewman.
You wont get a job on a yacht unless you like to stick your tounge up peoples asses and look like george clooney or are a girl with big tits. however my bitterness shouldnt keep you from pounding the docks of Ft Lauderdale or Miami or Ocean Marine here in Portsmouth. BTW you would need a 1600 ton or better to run a large yacht or the British CG's equivilent
Charter boats, maybe, but you have to be a mate for a long time and even then like someone said they are hurting pretty bad right now.
Good luck but dont expect to walk into a captains job, you will have to pay your dues!
All great idea's guys. Lots and lots to consider and think about. I dont expect to walk into a captains position unless I captain my own boat ( for chartering and guide services) which is always a very good possibility. Keep the ideas and comments coming.
Biggist difference from the engine room and the wheelhouse seat is liability. You take out a bridge with a towboat it will be tough to get anoughter job, you hurt or kill a passenger and the lawsuits will kill you. Wheel house comes with a lot of paperwork too these days
Help with 100 ton masters career options
