Maritime News

I have become aware of several employment opportunities in the past month that I would like to share with my readers.

Charter Boat Captain Positions

I was in contact with Oly Olson, owner of Tiki Charters, recently and he reminded me that he will be looking for Charter Boat operators and possibly deckhands for the 2010 salmon, tuna and sturgeon seasons. Minimum qualifications for operator requires an OUPV license (Master’s license preferred) with a near coastal route, fishing experience and excellent people skills. Oly owns several charter boats operating out of Astoria, Oregon. For more information contact Oly Olson at (503) 325-7818 or email tikicharter@gmail.com

Commercial Assistance Towing Positions

The following was emailed to me by one of my students:

“I’m looking for a relief captain and maybe one or two crew members for the upcoming spring boating season. This is a ON-CALL position and they MUST be local here in the Coos Bay/North Bend area for a fast response time to the Charleston Marina. I operate 24/7/365. I’m looking for a 100 ton Master (Under 100 ton OK), Near Coastal with Commercial Assistance Towing and TWIC for captains. Crew must be minimum AB Special and TWIC. Current CPR/First Aid and Diving Certifications are a plus! This is NOT A FISHING JOB. SAR experience preferred but not required. Contact Captain Benjamin J Rachor by emailing to benrachor@earthlink.net.”

Seamanship Instructor’s Position

I just had a conversation with an old shipmate of mine that teaches at the Tongue Point Job Corp Seamanship Center in Astoria, Oregon. It seems that they will be looking for an Able Seaman to work in their USCG approved Able Seaman Training Program in the near future. The ideal candidate should be a “boson” type; meaning that they have excellent seamanship skills, especially marlinespike seamanship skills, along with good leadership qualities. About 20% of this job involves classroom activities teaching seamanship skills to students, while the other 80% of the job involves hands-on application of seamanship skills overseeing and directing students in completing their assigned shipboard tasks. This is a very challenging job with the primary benefit of being home every night. The pay is $40,000.00 a year plus IBU (Inland Boatman Union)benefits. For information on how to apply for this job contact Pat Albers at (503) 338-4977.

Mate of Towing (Fast Track Program)

This is a great employment opportunity for licensed mariners looking to break out of the small passenger vessel fleet. Visit the Steven’s Towing Employment page for more information.

“Applicants with experience on passenger vessels and holding a 100 ton Mate License or better may qualify for the Stevens Fast Track Training Program. The program will determine if a qualified applicant has the talent to operate a towing vessel, train the applicant in an expedited process and upgrade them to proper licensing for manning towing vessels. During the Fast Track period the applicant will be on probation. He/She may be offered a deckhands job at deckhand rates and will be removed from the program if it is determined that he/she may not have the talent to operate a towing vessel.

An applicant must meet the following minimum requirements to participate in the program:

• The applicant must qualify for employment at Stevens Towing Company.
• The applicant must hold a valid 100 ton Mate License for Inland Waters or better.
• The applicant must have a minimum of two years experience on vessels over 50 tons documented.
• The applicant must qualify for an upgrade of his license to a 500 ton mates license of inland waters.”

Dayman/Oiler & Cook/Stewards Positions

This is a good opportunity for anyone looking to break into the towing industry. Sause Bros, an ocean towing company headquartered in Coos Bay, Oregon is looking to fill dayman and cook positions. View the Sause Bros Employment page for more information.

“DAYMAN/OILER:  The Dayman is a two-year (maximum) training position for the licensing of Mates or Assistant Engineers. This position performs duties as directed by the Master in either the wheelhouse or engine room as appropriate. Duties include vessel maintenance, loading of stores, and assisting crewmembers in the day-to-day operation of the vessel as level of experience and skills expand. Minimum Qualifications: One-year sea experience on any classification of vessel preferred. Need a valid MMD and TWIC card; an A.B. certificate preferred and QMED Preferred.”

“COOK/STEWARD:  The Cook/Steward is responsible for preparing and providing meals for all crew members daily at appropriate times. The Cook/Steward also maintains a high standard of cleanliness and good housekeeping in galley and food storage areas, and inventories, orders, procures, stows, and rotates stores as necessary. Minimum Qualifications: One-year sea experience on any classification of vessel preferred. One year documented cooking experience preferred. MMD Card and a valid driver license.”

Because of my focus on uninspected vessels and vessels of less than 200 tons, many of my students work in the small passenger vessel fleet and/or hold licenses of 200 tons or less. The biggest mistake regarding employment options made by this group of mariners is not getting their Able Seaman (AB) or Ordinary Seaman (OS) endorsement. These were previously known as a “Z-Card” or “MMD” (Merchant Mariner’s Document), but today they are referred to as endorsements that are placed on your MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential). This endorsement is required to work as a deckhand on most commercial vessels greater than 100 tons and many vessels less than 100 tons, even if you hold a license as Master or Mate. The best thing any mariner can do to find or keep a job in this economy is to keep as many employment options open as they can and getting an endorsement as either ordinary seaman or, preferably, Able Seaman adds an important employment option.

Crew and supply boats in the GOM (Gulf of Mexico) have always provided a good employment option for mariners with Master or Mate licenses of 200 tons and less. My son John was in Morgan City in mid November and he was surprised by the low activity among the crew and supply boat fleet located there; In fact the driver that drove him from his ship to the airport was a crew boat captain supplementing his income because of the lack of work. With employment opportunities tight in the GOM it is now more important than ever to ensure that your MMC is endorsed with everything you are qualified to do as a Merchant Mariner and that you have and keep all your mariner credentials in order.

One of the big employment constants in the maritime industry is that the mariner who gets the job is the one who is standing on the dock with his sea-bag in hand when the ship is ready to sail. In today’s world that sea-bag needs to contain the following three documents: a valid MMC endorsed with all your Merchant Mariner qualifications; a valid TWIC; and a valid Passport.

Click on this link for information on how to qualify for a Ordinary or Able Seaman Endorsement.

I came across this great employment opportunity for licensed mariners looking to break out of the passenger vessel fleet and into the towing vessel fleet. Visit the Steven’s Towing Employment page for more information.

Applicants with experience on passenger vessels and holding a 100 ton Mate License or better may qualify for the Stevens Fast Track Training Program. The program will determine if a qualified applicant has the talent to operate a towing vessel, train the applicant in an expedited process and upgrade them to proper licensing for manning towing vessels. During the Fast Track period the applicant will be on probation. He/She may be offered a deckhands job at deckhand rates and will be removed from the program if it is determined that he/she may not have the talent to operate a towing vessel.

An applicant must meet the following minimum requirements to participate in the program:

• The applicant must qualify for employment at Stevens Towing Company.
• The applicant must hold a valid 100 ton Mate License for Inland Waters or better.
• The applicant must have a minimum of two years experience on vessels over 50 tons documented.
• The applicant must qualify for an upgrade of his license to a 500 ton mates license of inland waters.

I just had a conversation with an old shipmate of mine that teaches at the Tongue Point Job Corp Seamanship Center in Astoria, Oregon. It seems that they will be looking for an Able Seaman to work in their USCG approved Able Seaman Training Program. The ideal candidate should be a “boson” type; meaning they have excellent seamanship skills, especially marlinespike seamanship skills, along with good leadership qualities. About 20% of this job involves classroom activities teaching seamanship skills to students, while the other 80% of the job involves hands-on application of seamanship skills overseeing and directing students in completing assigned tasks.

This is a very challenging job with the primary benefit of being home every night. The pay is $40,000.00 a year plus IBU (Inland Boatman Union) benefits. For information on how to apply contact Pat Albers; (503) 338-4977.