One thing to add leaving for Greener Pastures, Is don't burn the bridges you had and the previous Company. This goes for all types of Jobs not just on board a ship. Always leave on good terms. because You never know what might happen in the future. You may have to go back to the same company. or Your old boss might become Your new boss down the road. Plus it is just the correct thing to do.
Depends on how the burning is done, and why. It isn’t simply correct. The act of leaving itself is enough for some to consider the bridge burned. On your part. Other bridges are unsafe, or composed of something unethical. Like innocent flesh. It might be correct to burn such bridges. Not for nothing though. And leaving roads open gives room for unexpected good to find you, or you it.
Good day Chief! :D In my opinion nowaday the salaries have decreased quite a lot as same as conditions on board... A part of my family sailed in Norwegian companies when Spanish seafers were so present in the Merchant Navy in general... It isnt unethical to show salaries because it´s a shame that a company pay 300 dolars to a wiper for example... These companies must fall in shame for that. I guess we were at the same time in Tarragona when you had the reparation of a main engine hahahaha Cheers from Spain a 2nd eng.
Chief, Thank You! You would make an excellent "teacher" at whatever seafarer's school was ever lucky enough to have you sign on. RUclips "authors", like yourself, provide me the opportunity to travel the world and explore all the different careers I've never experienced. You are a blessing to those that seek to learn and experience all the wonders of our world. Again, Thank You!
Chief Makoi has taught at the Philippines Merchant Marine Academy. He has a whole playlist on the PMMA: ruclips.net/p/PLMOppBKhtQYquyLQWeR0VEagZUv0p6tzN.
Great vlog as always! I know in Norway when we ruled the waves there was to types of sailors. The first type jumped from ship to ship and different companies every single journey. Then you had the other type that stayed with eather the same company or ship or sometimes both, for years. Like you now working for MTM for a lot of year. You had sailors who worked for WWL for 30+ plus years. A friend of mine is a friend of the Captain of M/V Tønsberg. There are only half a dozen Norwegians left in int trade now. Sad, sad, sad. Be safe!
Hi Chief, I'm a Australian 🇦🇺 Seafarer & regardless of nationalities of other Seafarers i've sailed with with where all paid the same Wage/Salary,no such thing as Race or Inferiority on our coast.The Higher ranks are paid the highest.Unfortunately the F.O.C companies are a pack of greedy assholes,all the Oil & Gas companies care about is profit they make.More they make the companies still don't want to spend it...Scabs!.
On the Great Lakes we were paid by the hour. As soon as you stepped on board you were paid for 56 hours (or whatever was left in the week) and anything after an 8 hour work day was over time. Companies are so short handed these days even hired as relief chances are you’ll stay on the same boat all season. Usually late March to end of January depending on ice.
I suspect the Great Lakes boats/ships fall under US/Canada labor law because you can't register under a flag of convenience, so much less interesting. International ships are where the law/terms get interesting.
Thanks for another informative and knowledgeable film, Chief. I fully understand your reticence for discussing salaries. But we already know how seafarers are paid - the same way they always have been: a fraction of what your training, experience and dedication are worth, and a whole lot more than any shipowner/ship manager thinks you’re worth. ‘Twas ever thus!
Please chief, can you make a video of how seafarers receive medical attention on the way And seafarers medical privileges in general. Thanks, from a number one Fan
The contracts start and end with the passing through of Philippine Immigration? That's great, but it makes me think that there must have been a lot of abuse of OFW Seafarers that led to the creation of that law. Another informative video, Chief!
Chief. How are taxes figured? If you come from one country and work on a ship with a different flag are you taxed from you countries tax system! or the flag you are working unders tax system?😊
If your contract is only for 6 months, then 'Leave,' isn't really a concern, is it? I guess there's leave for being hurt, or a medical procedure. Maybe. It's good to see you getting your new ship whipped into shape! New paint and repairs, she'll shine soon! Have a great life Chief, be safe, and always, God bless!
@@eliasl.6902 Pretty sure OP is talking about vacation leave or other non medical time off. That when you are on a ship for 6 months you aren't worried about those types of leave
@James Lanning. Of course 'Leave' is a concern. When onboard ship you work 7 days a week, and there is nowhere to go during your time off. So after 6 months of 7 days a week, you need a rest, and to be with your family etc. Typically your contracted rate of pay would include xx.xx per hour and you would accrue 'Leave Pay' at say 10 days per month served. So after 6 months you would accrue 60 days of leave. On leaving the ship after 6 months, your final pay would be 8 months, in order to cover the 60 days leave you have earned. Then as your 60 days off was coming to an end, you would contact the company again (or another company) for another posting. Source: 18 years as AB in UK Merchant Navy.
Excellent video. As far as revealing wages I don't think relevant to the video. If you are doing the job just for money you're probably not going to be a happy person. I was a welder for 33 years, I did it because I liked it and was good at it. Good pay or not, it's about the job.
Hello Chief Makoi...Does age play a factor in getting a job on the ship?? If they practice these unethical practices of hiring older people....it is a cause for job discrimination!!! Even when the older gentleman or lady is in perfect health.....Why would the company deny them a decent living? Where else can they go.....Beg on the Street....Land in Jail all due to the company's decision of not giving them a decent chance..... C'mon Chief Makoi....Do you know where I'm coming from?????? Happy Sailing....Chief Makoi!!!!!!! George Stouraites
Great video as always Chief. I really feel like I missed the boat “ no play on words intended “ on the whole merchant marine experience in my youth. My father was a M.M., but growing up in NYC, left few opportunities to join the merchant marines back in the 80s. Your videos are a nice consultation. Thank you for posting.
I started my maritime career in Sea Scouts in Jersey City @ 14yrs old. Continued the love w/various assignments in the USCG as an MK3 and went commercial after my hitch. I❤’d NY way back when John Lindsey was Mayor. Today, not so much. Good Luck Brotherman.
Dear Chief Makoi. As experience sailing with my country Ship Flag MISC for coupler of year 25 year ago. A lot of sweet and chalenging as Engine crew very momorable for my entire life. I always watching, thinking & remember all you story and experience from cadet till you high rank as Chief Engineer and you explanation very good knowledge for new youngers as need to be a Soilor...keep always updated a good experience and explanation for Seafarer life...Thank you Chief Makoi...
I would want the Pinoy seafarers to get top dollar. I see that they are far and away the highest percentage group of shipping in the whole world. What language is mostly spoken on your ship, Ilocano, Visayan, or Tagalog for commonality? Is there a city or province where most come from? Did you attend Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific? Can you please speak to FOC ships and how shitty they are? I love your explanations! I hope you are well, and your ship is behaving!
The reason "Pinoy" seafarers are the most prevalent, is because they are the cheapest, but still of acceptable quality as far as training is concerned. I mean no disrespect by this comment, it is just a fact. Most global voyaging vessels are FOC these days for the above reason.
Just wondering why these companies don’t try to rotate the same crews on the same ships. You would thing that having a intimate understanding-of a specific vessel would have lots of benefits. Great video,
This sort of job could gives you access to bad deals in the back of your company. You could transport drugs and share profits with your companions into the ship. When people leave the board all the time it's much more complicated, you see?
Much of the same reason retail stores will schedule employees with inconsistent schedules instead of "A team B team" type schedules, keeping the employees themselves unorganized prevents them from discussing their contracts with each other, namely their pay (this creator is an idiot for thinking its unethical to share pay, that's a stigma created by employers to keep their employees in the dark so they can underpay everybody), it prevents organization and unionization, and of course prevents "underworld" activities such as theft/deal or using the business as a front under the owner's nose. In fact part of it with the ship is very much to _prevent_ intimate understanding of the specific vessels they're on, if you're on the same ship every contract then you'll be more likely to modify the ship for the long term in ways the owner didn't approve. It might be as small as popping a Starlink antenna on the monkey island, or making permanent modifications to the engine, or putting in smuggling holds to smuggle contraband or even people between countries. The ability to maintain a consistent crew has loads of benefits that you see, but for the most part those are benefits of the crew themselves and not the company or owner of the vessel. They see no benefit from doing this, but there's a load of risks associated with it that they don't want to take.
Chief sana po magkaroon din po kayo ng video about dun sa mga na repat due to medical reasons especially yung mga napauwi under contract. Maraming Salamat po 🙏
Not a question about salaries, but I’m curious how you accumulate a retirement? Does total time with one company do it? Or is it through a professional association or union?
On American flagged vessels, retirement is administered by the unions such as the Seamans International Union of North America (SIU) or the International Organization of Masters Mates and Pilots (MMP). Contributions to the pension funds are made by both the seafarer and the ship owners based on hours and wages earned.
How can a seafarer break a contract (jump ship) to go with another company (offering higher pay) ? Once you're on a ship (physically) aren't you stuck there for the duration of the trip? It's not like a 9-5 office job in which you just don't come in to work tomorrow. Also, what happens if there's a medical emergency? I assume there's no medical doctor on a ship. How do you get a seaman to a hospital??
In the case of being in the middle of the ocean, you kind of don't, though from what I know most ocean crossings aren't quite as labor intensive as the times near port where you're a helicopter ride away from the ER.
Always enjoy your videos, Chief. A lot of what you said makes me feel glad that I stayed in a Union for 33 years and am now retired with a pension and health care. Not needing, but eligible for social security and not taking 401k money either. Retired at 56 and cruising the world and happy. Love your videos Chief.
Interesting indeed! Though I'm not a ship guy, I still find your topics (of basically your life) very informative, of course having an interest in most engineering (& things associated with it) certainly helps. I do have a mate who is very much like me (pretty handy with fabrication & repairs) who works on ships as the go to "Mr. Fix It" guy, it certainly give me an insight into his life aboard too! Cheers from Oz !!
Great information. While your job description is very different from mine the basic flow of it is strangely similar (I work in live entertainment and travel the world setting up, running shows and taking them down and moving on to the next city). The contracts, when we are payed from, the travel and hotels. Also the day to day jobs, and finding time for maintenance and up keep of equipment. Thank you for sharing all the this.
In your experience, do many Americans work in the merchant mariner industry? Seems as though most of the mariners I see are from just about every country except the US. I've also been on a couple of cruises and noticed most of those staff members are also non-American. I chatted one person up who was in the entertainment sector, in her opinion, she said there were very few Americans because it was one of the only countries that charges it's citizens income tax on wages earned off shore.
This is mostly true. US Sailors do get charged income tax on wages earned offshore. American sailors also tend to get paid more compared to other nationalities. That dissuades a lot of companies from employing Americans.
There is the Jones Act that says ship moving cargo from us ports to us ports has to be US crewing and US owned fine line there a foreign company makes US subsitarity to meet the US restrictions still us crew.
This is also company dependent as third and second mate I often got a choice of ship and also had flexible leave if I asked to come back early or stay on leave longer it would usually be accommodated but I worked for a small company
When my father was a small tanker captain for Mobil Oil, they would pay for all of his expenses to and from the ship. You might have to personally pay for airfare, etc, but you would then submit a reimbursement voucher and the would pay you by either check or direct deposit. He lived in Florida and would fly up to NJ. He was considered an employee and received health insurance, vacation pay, etc. Generally with holidays they would receive an extra days pay. Usually that means 12 hours. 6 hours on, 6 hours off, etc.
Your video was interesting. Before I retired several years ago, I was a seafarer myself. I had a chief’s license and a radio-electronics officer license as well. Fortunately, I belonged to a union, and they did a good job negotiating the contracts I worked with. Over the years I worked for many different companies and the pay would vary quite a bit. We always got a good health insurance plan and a pension plan as well. Any required training was always paid for by the union including travel and lodging. Travel to and from the ship was always paid for by the union and if I had a long overseas flight of more than 6 hours mostly the company would pay for a business class seat on the airplane. Usually, I worked about 90 days on then 90 days off and my vacation pay was always part of the check I received on signoff. I would always email my dispatcher about when I was ready to work again, and I would be put on the list for a job. For most of my working years getting a position on a ship wasn’t a problem. Sometimes the dispatcher would call me if some unusual short-term job showed up and I often took it. My last five years I always worked on the same ship traveling the same route opposite another seafarer that was in his last years before retirement too. Now I’m collecting my pension and stopped traveling and can just watch your RUclips videos. The seafarer’s life was fun for me and because of the pension plan managed by the union and financed by the companies I worked for my retirement is comfortable. Keep up the good work. Working on ships isn’t a very well known job but would only be a suitable one for about 20% of the workers out there.
Food and board is included in your contract, ie the company pays. A crew menber would then ask the Chief Steward or purser etc, for a "Cash Sub" on a weekly basis, in order to pay for sundries such as toiletries, chocolate bars, drinks etc, and this is deducted from his salary.
Well Chief you are the only seafaring channel I watch and you never let me down. I do read a LOT of books on the old days of sail. I just wonder what the poor devils who have just been impressed and dragged aboard HMS ????? to quite possible die through scurvy, falling or a 32lb cannon ball might think. Thank God those days are over.
The World of big ships and merchant sailors is one of a kind. Through your videos and others us land bound folk get an insight into life at sea. And no doubt has inspired a few to join your ranks. I agree with you about not discussing specific wages. How long is a piece of string. I work construction and have done for over forty years. I can take a job that pays Carpenters so much per hour. Unfortunately on the building that experience is not often rewarded. If you are newly qualified you know little but can get the same pay. On site the older guys are the go to but at no benefit to them. I have often thought we should have interim testing and ranking systems. There are supervisor positions but now these require a separate license and are of limited number. At least your industry has more structure to it.
You should ALWAYS discuss your wages with your coworkers, knowing the rate they're willing to pay a newbie allows for better negotiation for even the top earners.
Very informative. When I belonged to maritime union here in the USA, I worked for one company assigned to one vessel. We were considered permanent employees of the company and pay would be begin the day you traveled to the vessel. All travel arrangements were made for you. Based on our union contract we accrued vacation pay (leave) on a basis of 20 days for every 30 days worked. Our contracted time on board was minimum of 60 days and max of 90. Since we as officers were permanent employees we could work out our own schedules with our reliefs as long as it fell within the 60 to 90 day parameters.
An enjoyable video as normal, I appreciate what you said about wages but overall does working on an oil/chemical tanker or any other dangerous cargo ships pay better than "normal" cargo ships?
Im a 2nd year student and have already a company waiting for me which is MISUGA a Japanese company. They said that our contract will be 15 years, my question is. Can I go home or take a leave while the contract is still going on or Can I not go home until the 15 year contract is done?
Different nationalities get different pay most of all For example the US minimum wage is about six times the Philippines minimum wage. There's obviously other employment standards for other nationalities as well, but the amount the company pays you is going to heavily depend on your nationality.
"I find comparing salaries ... unethical" No, comparing salaries is the moral standard, refusing to compare salaries allows companies to take advantage of people by keeping them in the dark about what they're actually worth. Sharing information about your salary is how employees can actually control the market, and can only ever benefit employees. It's illegal in most sane countries for an employer to prevent you from discussing your salary. You might find it unethical to compare salaries, but it's objectively unethical to not inform yourself and your coworkers about how companies are treating you. Who knows, you might think you're being paid above the average and don't want to discuss your salary because you think your coworkers are paid less, but the reality is most of the time even the best earners will be able to negotiate for better salaries with the knowledge shared by your coworkers. ALWAYS share your salary, ALWAYS. You're being unethical by siding with the company to keep everybody in the dark, and underpaid.
Good evening chief Makoi, much greeting from Venezuela, i never have seen any vessel from your company MTM i work to BSM. My question is the following, how much does a seafarer receive for loyalty bonuses when he come back to another contract???
Kay Ganda noon system sa Norwegian ships. Pag may vacancy tawagan ka ng consulate o embassy. Pagpasado ka sa physical examination bibigyan ka na ng contact. Kung ano ranggo at simula na ng suweldo. Normally one moth notice Kung gusto mo ng bumababa. Kung ano suweldo,benefits ng Norwegian Ganon din sa iyo. At pagkatapos ng ilang taon puede mag apply ng work permit sa lupa at after few years apply ng citizenship. Nangyari sa akin. Ngayon matagal ng retired....
As a seafarer for last 20 years I learned that 1. Companies from Europe (Norway, Dutch) are the best. They are more considerate and treat their crew as human. 2. Companies from Asia are the worst. They treat crew like slaves. While companies from Japan are in-between.
Thanks for the informative video I really enjoy watching your videos. My grandfather was a 2nd refrigeraton mate on the President line in the 1940s my grandma made him quit because the war started. I have all his postcards from around the world,and a lot of beautiful things that he bought. Thanks again and I will look forward to more videos
Lol a funny thing is…you talked about other seafarers on RUclips…I thought you were the only one! Well, you are the only one we subscribe to. You have such an interesting job! Nice job on the drone too, we only just got one and it is a nice thing to add to videos. The only one we really uses it on a lot so far is our Skeleton Coast video. It’s a little scary flying it over water isn’t it? Nice video and we will be waiting for the next!
...no, not particularly informative. Really did little more than skirt information viewers are most interested in, namely, money. Could certainly have given various Philippine companies/ships rates, salaries, overtime, (if any), etc etc, for particular ranks and shipboard jobs, all information which you are privy to as befits your position/rank. In short Sir, you screwed the pooch. Too bad, coulda, shoulda been a much better vid. Big thumbs down.
Sir chief,what if someday you will be appointed as MARINA's administrator what else can you recommend or improvements to make our industry more competitive and productive Worldwide?
Chief, I really admire you! Just noticed you have a star that appears, occasionally, next to your right (starboard) eyebrow when you make certain expressions. Just noticed after watching most of your video's - can only be seen in certain lighting conditions, but it is there & very obvious. Must be a good sign!
You never mentioned Sunday at sea pay, the difference between a Company man, and a man from the pool. I left in the year 2000 and we were on month on and month off system and if you jumped ship I doubt you would get back to sea except on a tramp vessel. And your contract was for up to two years. On Fishing vessels it was one trip on at a time.
contracts should start when seafarers emigrate, like Philippines, so they are covered by insurance for accidents and injury during travel. Good Philippines. Salaries: definitely fishing is the hardest job, but much shorter trips, but horribly dangerous, and also full of slavery, flags of convenience and employing people from a 'third world' or 'developing' country despite being from a rich country to cut money paid in wages
I must have been liked and respected. Who knew? I could have who I wanted, get rid of who I didn't want. Work my station and shift anyway I wanted. And only answered to my division chief directly. You lived me or wanted to see me dead. And, no, I was as far from a suck-*ss as you could get.
Sir I always like to watch your video about engine, sir if you read my MSG then pls suggest me how I join again' to ship bcoz i discontinued for 9 yrs ,last time I worked in engine about 4 yrs
Great vid chief as always very informative. As a young man I used to dream of being a seafarer but life tends to sort out who dose what now I can only imagine what I might have missed, can't grumble I have done loads of other stuff but I can still be a little envious of the new lad (apprentice)that gets to work under you he will have a great and fair mentor keep up the good work
Hi, Always watch your video's here in UK, especially as I have plenty of time, as now retired, never been to sea btw. Do you come to the UK ? how often? just curious.
bang,izin bertanya,sistem kontraknya gmn y?apakah selesaia satu kali kontrak,setelah istirahat,bisa naik lagi di perusahaan yg sama?dan apakah umur 40bisa menjadi pelaut pemula,teri a kasih
I used to be involved in offshore crew movements and often the terminal operator did not have access to the vessel. What exactly goes happens when a tanker for instance comes alongside, sometimes its an hour or more to get the "umbilical's" connected! This was true for on signers and off signers.
Thanks for the informative video. Totally unrelated to this, but do you think there is any chance one day you could do a video comparing conventional propulsion (engine straight shaft to the propeller) vs azi-pods (or equivalent), with the engines acting only as giant generators?
I totally agree with you Chief. Salary should not be and will never be a topic that should be discussed in public or even with anyone else except with your wifey (maybe). I really hate it when someone is asking you how much do you earn for a living. That is none of their business.
Strongly disagree on discussing specific numbers for ethical reasons, if anything I'd argue it's the opposite however you're free to not choose to do so, I just don't understand the ethical argument but would like to hear why you consider it so
Discussing salaries helps employees. Not discussing salaries only helps companies and their possible unfair salary discrepancies. Any big corporations don't want anyone discussing any salaries as it only serves employees, thus, it should be ethical, not unethical to speak about salaries.
One thing to add leaving for Greener Pastures, Is don't burn the bridges you had and the previous Company. This goes for all types of Jobs not just on board a ship. Always leave on good terms. because You never know what might happen in the future. You may have to go back to the same company. or Your old boss might become Your new boss down the road. Plus it is just the correct thing to do.
💯👍
Depends on how the burning is done, and why. It isn’t simply correct. The act of leaving itself is enough for some to consider the bridge burned. On your part. Other bridges are unsafe, or composed of something unethical. Like innocent flesh. It might be correct to burn such bridges. Not for nothing though. And leaving roads open gives room for unexpected good to find you, or you it.
Don't burn your bridges behind you.
Don't burn your bridges ahead of you.
And, be nice to your coworkers. You never know who might one day be your boss.
Bridge burning is so much fun though :(
Good day Chief! :D
In my opinion nowaday the salaries have decreased quite a lot as same as conditions on board... A part of my family sailed in Norwegian companies when Spanish seafers were so present in the Merchant Navy in general... It isnt unethical to show salaries because it´s a shame that a company pay 300 dolars to a wiper for example... These companies must fall in shame for that.
I guess we were at the same time in Tarragona when you had the reparation of a main engine hahahaha
Cheers from Spain a 2nd eng.
Chief, Thank You! You would make an excellent "teacher" at whatever seafarer's school was ever lucky enough to have you sign on. RUclips "authors", like yourself, provide me the opportunity to travel the world and explore all the different careers I've never experienced. You are a blessing to those that seek to learn and experience all the wonders of our world. Again, Thank You!
He was I think
I agree with your comment very well said sir
Great video congratulations
Chief Makoi has taught at the Philippines Merchant Marine Academy. He has a whole playlist on the PMMA: ruclips.net/p/PLMOppBKhtQYquyLQWeR0VEagZUv0p6tzN.
Effectively, as chief engineer, he teaches his subordinates a lot, I would assume.
Great vlog as always! I know in Norway when we ruled the waves there was to types of sailors. The first type jumped from ship to ship and different companies every single journey. Then you had the other type that stayed with eather the same company or ship or sometimes both, for years. Like you now working for MTM for a lot of year. You had sailors who worked for WWL for 30+ plus years. A friend of mine is a friend of the Captain of M/V Tønsberg. There are only half a dozen Norwegians left in int trade now. Sad, sad, sad. Be safe!
Hi Chief,
I'm a Australian 🇦🇺 Seafarer & regardless of nationalities of other Seafarers i've sailed with with where all paid the same Wage/Salary,no such thing as Race or Inferiority on our coast.The Higher ranks are paid the highest.Unfortunately the F.O.C companies are a pack of greedy assholes,all the Oil & Gas companies care about is profit they make.More they make the companies still don't want to spend it...Scabs!.
Very interesting video as always and big thumbs up. Safe travels Cheif Makeoi
On the Great Lakes we were paid by the hour. As soon as you stepped on board you were paid for 56 hours (or whatever was left in the week) and anything after an 8 hour work day was over time. Companies are so short handed these days even hired as relief chances are you’ll stay on the same boat all season. Usually late March to end of January depending on ice.
I suspect the Great Lakes boats/ships fall under US/Canada labor law because you can't register under a flag of convenience, so much less interesting. International ships are where the law/terms get interesting.
So I have chance to hide from my wife and keep the bills paid :)
@@Fossillarson I’ve been married for 40 years now only because I’ve been underway for 20 years of it…..
And the bills got paid.
@@privateer177666 lol that's awesome:)
I’m looking to get hired. What companies need people?
Thanks for posting chief, I'm glad you are back in a place to upload video, smooth sailing ⛵️
Thanks Chief always a pleasure and very informative 👍🇨🇦 Stay safe
Great to see a new video! Where are you in the world currently? Also, any chance Starlink is coming to your ship?
Great to see another video, Chief! Very interesting set of information, thanks and be well and be safe!
Retired OFW here...offshore Chevron Angola and Nigeria....28 days on / 28 days off....ingats Chief !
hey my daughter wants to know more about the command structure on a ship. like what would happen if captain was incapacitated? love your vids chief gl
Thanks for another informative and knowledgeable film, Chief. I fully understand your reticence for discussing salaries. But we already know how seafarers are paid - the same way they always have been: a fraction of what your training, experience and dedication are worth, and a whole lot more than any shipowner/ship manager thinks you’re worth. ‘Twas ever thus!
Very professional all the way and I would consider it a privilege to work with you but I am a landlubber. :-)
Please chief, can you make a video of how seafarers receive medical attention on the way And seafarers medical privileges in general.
Thanks, from a number one Fan
The contracts start and end with the passing through of Philippine Immigration? That's great, but it makes me think that there must have been a lot of abuse of OFW Seafarers that led to the creation of that law. Another informative video, Chief!
Good vid, Chief. Thanks.
Very interesting information, Chief.
Someone state salary “ranges” and the country your from. This would be very interesting.
Chief.
How are taxes figured? If you come from one country and work on a ship with a different flag are you taxed from you countries tax system! or the flag you are working unders tax system?😊
If your contract is only for 6 months, then 'Leave,' isn't really a concern, is it?
I guess there's leave for being hurt, or a medical procedure. Maybe.
It's good to see you getting your new ship whipped into shape! New paint and repairs, she'll shine soon!
Have a great life Chief, be safe, and always, God bless!
What do you mean ?
@@eliasl.6902 Pretty sure OP is talking about vacation leave or other non medical time off.
That when you are on a ship for 6 months you aren't worried about those types of leave
"leave" is the time period between the end of one contract and the beginning of the next one lol
@@ke6gwf That might spell out "Permanent Leave!"
@James Lanning. Of course 'Leave' is a concern.
When onboard ship you work 7 days a week, and there is nowhere to go during your time off. So after 6 months of 7 days a week, you need a rest, and to be with your family etc.
Typically your contracted rate of pay would include xx.xx per hour and you would accrue 'Leave Pay' at say 10 days per month served. So after 6 months you would accrue 60 days of leave.
On leaving the ship after 6 months, your final pay would be 8 months, in order to cover the 60 days leave you have earned.
Then as your 60 days off was coming to an end, you would contact the company again (or another company) for another posting.
Source: 18 years as AB in UK Merchant Navy.
Excellent video. As far as revealing wages I don't think relevant to the video. If you are doing the job just for money you're probably not going to be a happy person. I was a welder for 33 years, I did it because I liked it and was good at it. Good pay or not, it's about the job.
But when you realize that the wage he's paying isn't enough to live on in America he'd probably turn off most his viewers.
Thanks, Chief Look forward to more videos. Hurry up LOL, take care.
Hello Chief Makoi...Does age play a factor in getting a job on the ship??
If they practice these unethical practices of hiring older people....it is a cause for job discrimination!!!
Even when the older gentleman or lady is in perfect health.....Why would the company deny them a decent living?
Where else can they go.....Beg on the Street....Land in Jail all due to the company's decision of not giving them a decent chance..... C'mon Chief Makoi....Do you know where I'm coming from??????
Happy Sailing....Chief Makoi!!!!!!!
George Stouraites
Great video as always Chief. I really feel like I missed the boat “ no play on words intended “ on the whole merchant marine experience in my youth. My father was a M.M., but growing up in NYC, left few opportunities to join the merchant marines back in the 80s. Your videos are a nice consultation. Thank you for posting.
I started my maritime career in Sea Scouts in Jersey City @ 14yrs old. Continued the love w/various assignments in the USCG as an MK3 and went commercial after my hitch. I❤’d NY way back when John Lindsey was Mayor. Today, not so much. Good Luck Brotherman.
@@privateer177666 Thank you, and good luck to you also brother 👍
Dear Chief Makoi. As experience sailing with my country Ship Flag MISC for coupler of year 25 year ago. A lot of sweet and chalenging as Engine crew very momorable for my entire life. I always watching, thinking & remember all you story and experience from cadet till you high rank as Chief Engineer and you explanation very good knowledge for new youngers as need to be a Soilor...keep always updated a good experience and explanation for Seafarer life...Thank you Chief Makoi...
I would want the Pinoy seafarers to get top dollar. I see that they are far and away the highest percentage group of shipping in the whole world. What language is mostly spoken on your ship, Ilocano, Visayan, or Tagalog for commonality? Is there a city or province where most come from? Did you attend Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific? Can you please speak to FOC ships and how shitty they are? I love your explanations! I hope you are well, and your ship is behaving!
*FOC = flag of convenience.
The reason "Pinoy" seafarers are the most prevalent, is because they are the cheapest, but still of acceptable quality as far as training is concerned. I mean no disrespect by this comment, it is just a fact.
Most global voyaging vessels are FOC these days for the above reason.
Just wondering why these companies don’t try to rotate the same crews on the same ships. You would thing that having a intimate understanding-of a specific vessel would have lots of benefits. Great video,
This sort of job could gives you access to bad deals in the back of your company. You could transport drugs and share profits with your companions into the ship.
When people leave the board all the time it's much more complicated, you see?
Much of the same reason retail stores will schedule employees with inconsistent schedules instead of "A team B team" type schedules, keeping the employees themselves unorganized prevents them from discussing their contracts with each other, namely their pay (this creator is an idiot for thinking its unethical to share pay, that's a stigma created by employers to keep their employees in the dark so they can underpay everybody), it prevents organization and unionization, and of course prevents "underworld" activities such as theft/deal or using the business as a front under the owner's nose.
In fact part of it with the ship is very much to _prevent_ intimate understanding of the specific vessels they're on, if you're on the same ship every contract then you'll be more likely to modify the ship for the long term in ways the owner didn't approve. It might be as small as popping a Starlink antenna on the monkey island, or making permanent modifications to the engine, or putting in smuggling holds to smuggle contraband or even people between countries.
The ability to maintain a consistent crew has loads of benefits that you see, but for the most part those are benefits of the crew themselves and not the company or owner of the vessel. They see no benefit from doing this, but there's a load of risks associated with it that they don't want to take.
really interesting and admire your views on salary information
Another great video Chief,
Hello from Australia
Chief sana po magkaroon din po kayo ng video about dun sa mga na repat due to medical reasons especially yung mga napauwi under contract. Maraming Salamat po 🙏
Is the salary paid all in once when disembarking, or is it at a monthly basis? If it is the first it must be hard.
In France we try to brake the secret of the salaries. Because at last it's bad for workers and good for companies only.
Appreciate the explanation
Not a question about salaries, but I’m curious how you accumulate a retirement? Does total time with one company do it? Or is it through a professional association or union?
Self control and financial planning!
It's possible to set up your own retirement accounts and put money into it directly lol
On American flagged vessels, retirement is administered by the unions such as the Seamans International Union of North America (SIU) or the International Organization of Masters Mates and Pilots (MMP). Contributions to the pension funds are made by both the seafarer and the ship owners based on hours and wages earned.
Chief, Please do a segment on passenger travel on merchant vessels. Thanks. DG
WISH I WAS 20 YEARS OLD ! WENT 2 SEA ON A TRAMP STEAMER ! ( 60 Years ago )
Thank you chief
Chief, big fan. How about a video on your path to becoming a Chief Engineer or as we say in the Navy "CHENG".
Chief Makoi made a video of that a while back, see the link below m.ruclips.net/video/hnjZqHUPHhI/видео.html
Good morning Chief MAKOi 😀 Fantastic video as always 👍🏻 Straight taking as always with some great information. RIP Queen Elizabeth 😢🏴
How can a seafarer break a contract (jump ship) to go with another company (offering higher pay) ? Once you're on a ship (physically) aren't you stuck there for the duration of the trip? It's not like a 9-5 office job in which you just don't come in to work tomorrow. Also, what happens if there's a medical emergency? I assume there's no medical doctor on a ship. How do you get a seaman to a hospital??
In the case of being in the middle of the ocean, you kind of don't, though from what I know most ocean crossings aren't quite as labor intensive as the times near port where you're a helicopter ride away from the ER.
Always enjoy your videos, Chief. A lot of what you said makes me feel glad that I stayed in a Union for 33 years and am now retired with a pension and health care. Not needing, but eligible for social security and not taking 401k money either. Retired at 56 and cruising the world and happy. Love your videos Chief.
Interesting indeed! Though I'm not a ship guy, I still find your topics (of basically your life) very informative, of course having an interest in most engineering (& things associated with it) certainly helps. I do have a mate who is very much like me (pretty handy with fabrication & repairs) who works on ships as the go to "Mr. Fix It" guy, it certainly give me an insight into his life aboard too! Cheers from Oz !!
Great information. While your job description is very different from mine the basic flow of it is strangely similar (I work in live entertainment and travel the world setting up, running shows and taking them down and moving on to the next city). The contracts, when we are payed from, the travel and hotels. Also the day to day jobs, and finding time for maintenance and up keep of equipment. Thank you for sharing all the this.
Very informative and well explained.
Thanks Chief I greatly appreciate your content!
In your experience, do many Americans work in the merchant mariner industry? Seems as though most of the mariners I see are from just about every country except the US. I've also been on a couple of cruises and noticed most of those staff members are also non-American. I chatted one person up who was in the entertainment sector, in her opinion, she said there were very few Americans because it was one of the only countries that charges it's citizens income tax on wages earned off shore.
This is mostly true. US Sailors do get charged income tax on wages earned offshore. American sailors also tend to get paid more compared to other nationalities. That dissuades a lot of companies from employing Americans.
There is the Jones Act that says ship moving cargo from us ports to us ports has to be US crewing and US owned fine line there a foreign company makes US subsitarity to meet the US restrictions still us crew.
Missed seeing you and your videos, you always put out a good video and entertaining with your crew mates..
This is also company dependent as third and second mate I often got a choice of ship and also had flexible leave if I asked to come back early or stay on leave longer it would usually be accommodated but I worked for a small company
When my father was a small tanker captain for Mobil Oil, they would pay for all of his expenses to and from the ship. You might have to personally pay for airfare, etc, but you would then submit a reimbursement voucher and the would pay you by either check or direct deposit. He lived in Florida and would fly up to NJ. He was considered an employee and received health insurance, vacation pay, etc. Generally with holidays they would receive an extra days pay. Usually that means 12 hours. 6 hours on, 6 hours off, etc.
Your video was interesting. Before I retired several years ago, I was a seafarer myself. I had a chief’s license and a radio-electronics officer license as well. Fortunately, I belonged to a union, and they did a good job negotiating the contracts I worked with. Over the years I worked for many different companies and the pay would vary quite a bit. We always got a good health insurance plan and a pension plan as well. Any required training was always paid for by the union including travel and lodging. Travel to and from the ship was always paid for by the union and if I had a long overseas flight of more than 6 hours mostly the company would pay for a business class seat on the airplane. Usually, I worked about 90 days on then 90 days off and my vacation pay was always part of the check I received on signoff. I would always email my dispatcher about when I was ready to work again, and I would be put on the list for a job. For most of my working years getting a position on a ship wasn’t a problem. Sometimes the dispatcher would call me if some unusual short-term job showed up and I often took it. My last five years I always worked on the same ship traveling the same route opposite another seafarer that was in his last years before retirement too. Now I’m collecting my pension and stopped traveling and can just watch your RUclips videos. The seafarer’s life was fun for me and because of the pension plan managed by the union and financed by the companies I worked for my retirement is comfortable. Keep up the good work. Working on ships isn’t a very well known job but would only be a suitable one for about 20% of the workers out there.
Did you mention Mess bills, and other living costs deducted from the salaries?
Food and board is included in your contract, ie the company pays. A crew menber would then ask the Chief Steward or purser etc, for a "Cash Sub" on a weekly basis, in order to pay for sundries such as toiletries, chocolate bars, drinks etc, and this is deducted from his salary.
Good evening from Samchuk Thailand
Well Chief you are the only seafaring channel I watch and you never let me down. I do read a LOT of books on the old days of sail. I just wonder what the poor devils who have just been impressed and dragged aboard HMS ????? to quite possible die through scurvy, falling or a 32lb cannon ball might think. Thank God those days are over.
Pay varies by nationality? Wouldn't that be considered discriminatory?
Labor laws and taxes are different for each country.
@Gary Cameron. No, because ships are generally crewed by one nationality.
What currency are the salaries paid?
Always good content Chief
The World of big ships and merchant sailors is one of a kind. Through your videos and others us land bound folk get an insight into life at sea. And no doubt has inspired a few to join your ranks. I agree with you about not discussing specific wages. How long is a piece of string. I work construction and have done for over forty years. I can take a job that pays Carpenters so much per hour. Unfortunately on the building that experience is not often rewarded. If you are newly qualified you know little but can get the same pay. On site the older guys are the go to but at no benefit to them. I have often thought we should have interim testing and ranking systems. There are supervisor positions but now these require a separate license and are of limited number. At least your industry has more structure to it.
You should ALWAYS discuss your wages with your coworkers, knowing the rate they're willing to pay a newbie allows for better negotiation for even the top earners.
Very informative. When I belonged to maritime union here in the USA, I worked for one company assigned to one vessel. We were considered permanent employees of the company and pay would be begin the day you traveled to the vessel. All travel arrangements were made for you. Based on our union contract we accrued vacation pay (leave) on a basis of 20 days for every 30 days worked. Our contracted time on board was minimum of 60 days and max of 90. Since we as officers were permanent employees we could work out our own schedules with our reliefs as long as it fell within the 60 to 90 day parameters.
What about taxation on the wages?
An enjoyable video as normal, I appreciate what you said about wages but overall does working on an oil/chemical tanker or any other dangerous cargo ships pay better than "normal" cargo ships?
Yes. Big difference.
Good afternoon Chief MAKOi😬 pwede po ba mag ask sa mga software applications na ginagamit sa Engine Department? Thanks po sa Response 😀😀😀😀
Im a 2nd year student and have already a company waiting for me which is MISUGA a Japanese company. They said that our contract will be 15 years, my question is. Can I go home or take a leave while the contract is still going on or Can I not go home until the 15 year contract is done?
Curious: why do contract stipulations get based on nationality? Do certain nations get preferred status over others? Thanks Chief!
Different countries have different labor laws, so it depends on how protective a country is of their seafarers.
Different nationalities get different pay most of all
For example the US minimum wage is about six times the Philippines minimum wage.
There's obviously other employment standards for other nationalities as well, but the amount the company pays you is going to heavily depend on your nationality.
Hallo Pare, this was really nice vlog. This is challenging topic - but I really like this one! Kiitos, Danke, Tack, Salamat and Thanks.
"I find comparing salaries ... unethical"
No, comparing salaries is the moral standard, refusing to compare salaries allows companies to take advantage of people by keeping them in the dark about what they're actually worth. Sharing information about your salary is how employees can actually control the market, and can only ever benefit employees. It's illegal in most sane countries for an employer to prevent you from discussing your salary.
You might find it unethical to compare salaries, but it's objectively unethical to not inform yourself and your coworkers about how companies are treating you.
Who knows, you might think you're being paid above the average and don't want to discuss your salary because you think your coworkers are paid less, but the reality is most of the time even the best earners will be able to negotiate for better salaries with the knowledge shared by your coworkers.
ALWAYS share your salary, ALWAYS. You're being unethical by siding with the company to keep everybody in the dark, and underpaid.
I have a question: how much do seafarers make? ;)
🤣😂😅
Good evening chief Makoi, much greeting from Venezuela, i never have seen any vessel from your company MTM i work to BSM. My question is the following, how much does a seafarer receive for loyalty bonuses when he come back to another contract???
Chief please make a video about how to starting a Engine, and boiler. For us students, THANK YOU CHIEF!!!!!
Kay Ganda noon system sa Norwegian ships. Pag may vacancy tawagan ka ng consulate o embassy. Pagpasado ka sa physical examination bibigyan ka na ng contact. Kung ano ranggo at simula na ng suweldo. Normally one moth notice Kung gusto mo ng bumababa. Kung ano suweldo,benefits ng Norwegian Ganon din sa iyo. At pagkatapos ng ilang taon puede mag apply ng work permit sa lupa at after few years apply ng citizenship. Nangyari sa akin. Ngayon matagal ng retired....
As a seafarer for last 20 years I learned that
1. Companies from Europe (Norway, Dutch) are the best. They are more considerate and treat their crew as human.
2. Companies from Asia are the worst. They treat crew like slaves.
While companies from Japan are in-between.
Thanks for the informative video I really enjoy watching your videos. My grandfather was a 2nd refrigeraton mate on the President line in the 1940s my grandma made him quit because the war started. I have all his postcards from around the world,and a lot of beautiful things that he bought. Thanks again and I will look forward to more videos
Always keep safe chief
Lol a funny thing is…you talked about other seafarers on RUclips…I thought you were the only one! Well, you are the only one we subscribe to. You have such an interesting job! Nice job on the drone too, we only just got one and it is a nice thing to add to videos. The only one we really uses it on a lot so far is our Skeleton Coast video. It’s a little scary flying it over water isn’t it? Nice video and we will be waiting for the next!
...no, not particularly informative. Really did little more than skirt information viewers are most interested in, namely, money. Could certainly have given various Philippine companies/ships rates, salaries, overtime, (if any), etc etc, for particular ranks and shipboard jobs, all information which you are privy to as befits your position/rank. In short Sir, you screwed the pooch. Too bad, coulda, shoulda been a much better vid. Big thumbs down.
Thank you Chief. I love your show.
Sir chief,what if someday you will be appointed as MARINA's administrator what else can you recommend or improvements to make our industry more competitive and productive Worldwide?
Chief, I really admire you! Just noticed you have a star that appears, occasionally, next to your right (starboard) eyebrow when you make certain expressions. Just noticed after watching most of your video's - can only be seen in certain lighting conditions, but it is there & very obvious. Must be a good sign!
You never mentioned Sunday at sea pay, the difference between a Company man, and a man from the pool. I left in the year 2000 and we were on month on and month off system and if you jumped ship I doubt you would get back to sea except on a tramp vessel. And your contract was for up to two years. On Fishing vessels it was one trip on at a time.
contracts should start when seafarers emigrate, like Philippines, so they are covered by insurance for accidents and injury during travel. Good Philippines. Salaries: definitely fishing is the hardest job, but much shorter trips, but horribly dangerous, and also full of slavery, flags of convenience and employing people from a 'third world' or 'developing' country despite being from a rich country to cut money paid in wages
Good explanation Chief, but as I’ve said “Your Soul my belong to Jesus, but you Ass is mine” 😂😅😅
Always wanted to go into maritime work. Unfortunately I got type 1 diabetes when I was 20, making it outright impossible.
Need to get back out been over a year since I was on open ocean
I must have been liked and respected. Who knew? I could have who I wanted, get rid of who I didn't want. Work my station and shift anyway I wanted. And only answered to my division chief directly. You lived me or wanted to see me dead. And, no, I was as far from a suck-*ss as you could get.
Sir I always like to watch your video about engine, sir if you read my MSG then pls suggest me how I join again' to ship bcoz i discontinued for 9 yrs ,last time I worked in engine about 4 yrs
Great vid chief as always very informative. As a young man I used to dream of being a seafarer but life tends to sort out who dose what now I can only imagine what I might have missed, can't grumble I have done loads of other stuff but I can still be a little envious of the new lad (apprentice)that gets to work under you he will have a great and fair mentor keep up the good work
Hi, Always watch your video's here in UK, especially as I have plenty of time, as now retired, never been to sea btw. Do you come to the UK ? how often? just curious.
It was interesting to learn about your Contracts Thanks for sharing
bang,izin bertanya,sistem kontraknya gmn y?apakah selesaia satu kali kontrak,setelah istirahat,bisa naik lagi di perusahaan yg sama?dan apakah umur 40bisa menjadi pelaut pemula,teri a kasih
Ok chief,appreciate your diplomacy,but for me ,none of your business and rude to ask,but that just me,also have more food segments
I used to be involved in offshore crew movements and often the terminal operator did not have access to the vessel. What exactly goes happens when a tanker for instance comes alongside, sometimes its an hour or more to get the "umbilical's" connected! This was true for on signers and off signers.
Thanks for the informative video. Totally unrelated to this, but do you think there is any chance one day you could do a video comparing conventional propulsion (engine straight shaft to the propeller) vs azi-pods (or equivalent), with the engines acting only as giant generators?
If you have a contract and break it by joining another company aren't there some penalties involved?
Does the lgbtqia community get leniency on ships rules? Like wanting to wear a banana hammock instead of coveralls?
Do you or your family receive benefits such as 401k, retirement or medical benefits?
Chieeeeef magandang araw po, ba ka pwedy po ma ka apply ng cadetship po? 🥺🙏 Salamat po.
I totally agree with you Chief. Salary should not be and will never be a topic that should be discussed in public or even with anyone else except with your wifey (maybe). I really hate it when someone is asking you how much do you earn for a living. That is none of their business.
Strongly disagree on discussing specific numbers for ethical reasons, if anything I'd argue it's the opposite however you're free to not choose to do so, I just don't understand the ethical argument but would like to hear why you consider it so
Discussing salaries helps employees. Not discussing salaries only helps companies and their possible unfair salary discrepancies. Any big corporations don't want anyone discussing any salaries as it only serves employees, thus, it should be ethical, not unethical to speak about salaries.