One route you also need to think about is joining the Navy first. 1, maybe you find you just don't like being at sea. 2, pick a job (called ratings) that give sea time that applies to your civilian merchant marine certifications. 3, GI Bill, if you do decide on going the officer route it will pay for everything including a living stipend. 4, Veteran's Benefits, VA loans and VA health care if you qualify. etc.
There's some pretty rough stories out there from new mariners about paying out of pocket for the minimum courses and spending months trying to find work. I don't know if it exists, but if it doesn't, someone should start an agency focused on finding new mariners work. Idk, maybe agree to a percentage of earned wages in exchange like agents in other industries.
I really liked the information from another video you did on credentials, that a deck guy can get a welding cirt, which is awesome because i like to weld but dont want to go to the engine department so thanks for all the info!!
Loving all of your content! I just got my MMC and I wish the coast guard didn’t change the MMC to a piece of paper instead of the booklet. Are you aware that they changed it? When you have to renew yours it’s going to look way different.
Hey dean, if you remember me I end up getting my MMC book, even after having the felonies I had, thank you for believing in me and telling me your story
Any advice on how to get a ship* if you paid out of pocket for your STCW and didn't go through Piney Point? I'm in the Tampa Bay area and the SIU Halls are in Jacksonville and Miami. When I drove up to Jacksonville the Union guy at the desk told me if I joined I'd have to sit in the Hall every day until I got a ship, and that as an OS zero seniority I'd likely be waiting 6 months or more to get a ship. Can't afford to sit on my ass for months on end. *Not interested in tug boat/ oil patch work.
@@SailorDean4 Thanks! Just looked them up...sadly, "You must have maritime experience. We do not have entry level jobs available such as OS jobs without experience."
@@lowkey1969Look into the great lakes, they have os jobs every year. The shipping season starts back up in March when the locks open back up. Interlake is a big company, grand river navigation is another ad American steamship company is another pretty big company on the lakes. That's my plan in a few years, start on the lakes, get some sea time and then try the oceans!
Look into the great lakes. They have os positions every year. The shipping season starts back up in March when the locks open back up so now is the time to apply. Interlake, grand river navigation, and American steamship lines are 3 companies off the top of my head. That's my plan in a few years, get on the lakes, get some sea time and then try the oceans
Do you still have content showing what the classes was like at SIU ? Like do you have the videos of y'all being in the pool or doing the CPR class or fire fighting class ? How long did it take to get approved for the SIU program ? I know you gotta fill out the application btw
I don’t have footage of the training I couldn’t have my phone at the time it took me a couple months to get approved and by the time I applied for the program my record was clean enough to get into the program
Is it hard to get jobs if you pay for training out of your pocket how long can you be on the ship and how much can you makel on a ship and how long can you move up to get a b book
Do you need a CAC card when going into SIU? I know it needed when you go with MSC. Doing my Dr running around right now process for my MMC am hoping by summer am on a ship.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video you put me on some good information about paying for my STCWs through ABC in Houston TX ❤
One route you also need to think about is joining the Navy first. 1, maybe you find you just don't like being at sea. 2, pick a job (called ratings) that give sea time that applies to your civilian merchant marine certifications. 3, GI Bill, if you do decide on going the officer route it will pay for everything including a living stipend. 4, Veteran's Benefits, VA loans and VA health care if you qualify. etc.
There's some pretty rough stories out there from new mariners about paying out of pocket for the minimum courses and spending months trying to find work.
I don't know if it exists, but if it doesn't, someone should start an agency focused on finding new mariners work. Idk, maybe agree to a percentage of earned wages in exchange like agents in other industries.
100% agree
I really liked the information from another video you did on credentials, that a deck guy can get a welding cirt, which is awesome because i like to weld but dont want to go to the engine department so thanks for all the info!!
I just became on OUPV/Master 25T last year. It was actually fun doing the courses, especially the navigation.
Great rundown what is needed to become a Merchant Mariner.
Loving all of your content! I just got my MMC and I wish the coast guard didn’t change the MMC to a piece of paper instead of the booklet. Are you aware that they changed it? When you have to renew yours it’s going to look way different.
Hey dean, if you remember me I end up getting my MMC book, even after having the felonies I had, thank you for believing in me and telling me your story
LETS GO
Any advice on how to get a ship* if you paid out of pocket for your STCW and didn't go through Piney Point? I'm in the Tampa Bay area and the SIU Halls are in Jacksonville and Miami. When I drove up to Jacksonville the Union guy at the desk told me if I joined I'd have to sit in the Hall every day until I got a ship, and that as an OS zero seniority I'd likely be waiting 6 months or more to get a ship. Can't afford to sit on my ass for months on end.
*Not interested in tug boat/ oil patch work.
Try 32 point manning it’s a shipping agency try groups like that they list jobs for mariners
@@SailorDean4 Thanks!
Just looked them up...sadly, "You must have maritime experience. We do not have entry level jobs available such as OS jobs without experience."
@@lowkey1969Look into the great lakes, they have os jobs every year. The shipping season starts back up in March when the locks open back up. Interlake is a big company, grand river navigation is another ad American steamship company is another pretty big company on the lakes. That's my plan in a few years, start on the lakes, get some sea time and then try the oceans!
Look into the great lakes. They have os positions every year. The shipping season starts back up in March when the locks open back up so now is the time to apply. Interlake, grand river navigation, and American steamship lines are 3 companies off the top of my head. That's my plan in a few years, get on the lakes, get some sea time and then try the oceans
Fantastic video
Testing at SIU Houston, TX on the 3rd.
Great video, thank you! Could you do a future video about options for mariners if your credentials expire?
Good idea
I have to get eye corrective surgery before I can redo my medical to get on the ships, apparently my eye sight is too bad
Hi Dean!
Could you tell me of companies that hire sailors for tugboat jobs.
Thank you for content!helpful
You need you’re twic first to get the mmc right ?
SIU is currently filling spots in 2026
Do you still have content showing what the classes was like at SIU ? Like do you have the videos of y'all being in the pool or doing the CPR class or fire fighting class ? How long did it take to get approved for the SIU program ? I know you gotta fill out the application btw
Also, since you use to be a felon did you have to get a waiver approved in order to do the merchant seaman
I don’t have footage of the training I couldn’t have my phone at the time it took me a couple months to get approved and by the time I applied for the program my record was clean enough to get into the program
Have you came across anyone who has had a felony that is joining the program@@SailorDean4
Hello great video but could you tell me the steps to become a merchant marine for the people who are not American citizens ?
Specifically Egyptians
Is it hard to get jobs if you pay for training out of your pocket how long can you be on the ship and how much can you makel on a ship and how long can you move up to get a b book
Is the Covid vaccine mandatory? and does one go around that?
I don’t believe it’s mandatory anymore
It was mandatory for me in 2023 on a cruise ship, I think it varies
Did you have to get a covid vaccine?
Do you need a CAC card when going into SIU? I know it needed when you go with MSC. Doing my Dr running around right now process for my MMC am hoping by summer am on a ship.
No you do not need one
*siiiiigh* this is gonna be the biggest pain in the ass.....
Also a school on Saipan
Which one? I live in Hawaii