Maritime News

Maritime jobs are transportation based and when consumer products are not selling the industry suffers. In tuff economic times like this maritime jobs can be some of the first jobs lost and some of the last jobs gained back during the recovery. In this current recovery period maritime employment opportunities can be difficult to find, but certainly not impossible if you are open minded about the “what, when, where and how much” details of the job. If you are looking for employment in the maritime industry I recommend contacting Captain Kelly Sweeney at Maritime Headhunters. Captain Sweeney is a straight shooter that will get you sailing again with plans for future advancement.

• Captain Kelly Sweeney 
• Maritime Headhunters, LLC 
• ph: (360) 678-3350 
• fax: (360) 678-7086 

The really good news regarding maritime employment is the opportunity for advancement over the next few years. In the last two years over 100 licensed captains and mates from all around the nation have completed the one day radar renewal class at Columbia Pacific Maritime in preparation for their five year license renewal. Conversations with these mariners indicate that many of them are planning to retire before their license comes up for renew again (within 5-years) and over half plan on retiring after their next renewal (within 10-years). This means that in the next few years there will be opportunities for advancement from deck positions to mate and from mate to master for mariners holding the appropriate credentials. Now is the time to get credentialed up so that when these captain and mate jobs become available you have the Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) to qualify for them. Here are a few things to consider if you are interested in advancing in the maritime field.

First and foremost, every career minded mariner working on deck should hold an MMC as Able Seaman (AB). This credential is important for career advancement regardless of whether or not you hold a license. The Able Seaman Special rating requires 360 days of sea service experience on the deck of vessels and completion of the four Basic Safety Training courses and a Proficiency in Survival Craft (or Lifeboatman) course. Anyone that holds a license as master, mate or OUPV should have the sea service experience to qualify for this rating.

If you hold an MMC as AB and do not have a master or mate’s license get one. With the same sea service experience that was used to qualify for the AB rating can you can qualify for a license as Master or Mate. If you are working on a sea going vessel greater than 200 gross registered tons (GRT) you should consider completing the proficiencies for the STCW 95 Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW); RFPNW checklist / RFPNW sea service. These proficiencies can be signed off by the officer of the watch and turned into the Coast Guard to get the STCW 95 rating.

If you are working on or have experience working on a towing vessel you should consider getting the Apprentice Mate (steersman) license. This is one of three methods to advance to Mate of Towing and from there to Master of Towing. The towing industry in particular will be in need of captain’s and mate’s as these ship’s officers begin retiring in the next few years.

If you have your sights on a sea going job as master or mate of vessels over 200 gross registered tons you will be required to complete several courses to qualify for the STCW 95 rating of Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OCNW). These courses can be completed one at a time between trips as you have the time and money available.

Whatever you career choice is for maritime employment, now is the time to position yourself for the good jobs that will becoming available over the next few years. It is the mariner with the credentials in hand when the job becomes available that will advance to the captain’s chair.

The summer season is approaching quickly and if you don’t have your summer employment in place you might want to consider the services of a headhunter. A headhunter is a professional that looks for employment contracts for a fee. Some are sharks that sink their teeth deep into your paycheck and some have more reasonable fees.

Captain Kelly Sweeney of Maritime Headhunters falls into the class of headhunter that provides a good service at a fee that you can live with. It has been my experience that Captain Sweeney is a straight shooter who does not sugar coat the facts and takes good care of his people; meaning those that he finds employment for. Captain Sweeney (Kelly) is a cut above the average headhunter. If you are in need of work, give him a try. I do not believe you will be disappointed.

• Captain Kelly Sweeney 
• Maritime Headhunters, LLC 
• ph: (360) 678-3350 
• fax: (360) 678-7086 

I have recently become aware of several employment opportunities that I would like to pass on to my readers.

• Joe Kulavik of Eagle Charters is in need of a couple of guide boat operators with OUPV or 6-pack licenses. His Email address is jkulavik@comcast.net
• Oly Olson of Tiki Charters is in need of experienced ocean boat operators with good fishing skills, good people skills and who hold a valid near coastal license as Master 25 tons or higher. Contact Oly at (503) 325—7818 or email to tikicharter@gmail.com
• Sause Bros. is seeking Ordinary Seaman with boating and cooking experience to work on their ocean going towing vessels. Contact Lori Cordova at lcordova@sause.com for more information.
• Crowely Maritime is hiring cooks through the Inland Boatman’s Union (IBU) to work on their ocean going tugs. For information contact the IBU at (206) 284-6001.

If you have information on maritime employment opportunities please send me the information at dennis@columbiapacificmaritime.com so that I can share it with my readers.

I just got this email in. Joe Kulavik of Eagle Charters is in need of a couple of guide boat operators with OUPV or 6-pack licenses. His Email address is jkulavik@comcast.net

My web page is http://eaglecharters.com/ I am in need of two captain this year just purchased a Third lodge in Elfin cove . I am in Vancouver Wash for the next couple of weeks if you have any ideas. Thanks Joe

This just came in over email.

Dennis-

I thought I would pass it along. Crowley is looking for cooks through the IBU(hiring 10 more for some sealift projects this summer). And I know Sause Bros is looking for cooks.(a couple guys just quit).Just thought I would pass it along. Hope all is well Ill see you this fall for my first capt licence.

Jesse

Sause Bros

Crowely

Inland Boatman’s Union (IBU)

It is only a week until spring officially arrives and the summer maritime jobs are beginning to shake loose. Here is the latest employment outlook from Captain Kelly Sweeney of Maritime Headhunters:

A slow “A” season [Bearing Sea Pollock] in Alaska has put a damper on fishing and fishing related jobs, which hopefully will improve as we move into summer. Tourist-based licensed jobs are beginning to open up, from Alaska to Oregon, though the economy is still taking a toll on licensed positions in the private yacht sector. Some 100 ton operator opportunities have opened up in the Puget Sound area, but candidates must live locally or be willing to relocate. Interested captains are encouraged to contact Maritime Headhunters directly to find out more…

Captain Kelly Sweeney
Maritime Headhunters, LLC
ph: (360) 678-3350
fax: (360) 678-7086

Charter Boat Captain Wanted

Oly Olson, owner of Tiki Charters in Astoria, is looking for one or more charter boat captains for the upcoming fishing season. Minimum requirements are: USCG license as Master 25 tons with a near coastal route; Experience in ocean fishing and Columbia River bar crossings; Good people and customer relation skills. If you meet these qualifications contact Oly at (503) 325-7818

If you enjoy working with the public and have ocean fishing experience with Columbia River bar crossings, but do not hold a license as Master 25 tons or higher Columbia Pacific Maritime has USCG approved courses that can help get you the license you need. To qualify for the Master 25 ton near coastal license requires that you have 720-days of qualifying sea service experience, at least 360-days of the qualifying experience must have been on ocean waters, the remainder can come from any inland waters. The following are a couple of course options that will satisfy the USCG exam requirements for the license:

1. If you hold an OUPV license the three day Upgrade OUPV to Master 100 ton near coastal course will satisfy the exam requirements for upgrading the OUPV to Master 25, 50 or 100 tons near coastal. The tonnage limitation will depend on the size of vessels your qualifying experience was on.
2. If you do not hold a license the ten day Master 100 ton course will satisfy the exam requirements for an original issue of a license as Master 25, 50 or 100 tons near coastal. The tonnage limitation will depend on the size of vessels your qualifying experience was on.

Tugboat Positions

Sause Bros is advertising for Mate of Towing and Cook/Stewards positions

Stevens Towing is has a fast-track training program for those holding a Master 200 ton license with three-years experience on vessels over 100 tons.

With the average age of mariners in the towing industry nearing retirement there is going to be a continued and increasing demand for mariners holding licenses as Mate of Towing. There are three routes to a Mate of Towing license:

1. If you have 18-months of sea service experience that includes at least 12 months on towing vessels you may qualify for a license as Apprentice Mate (steersman) license. Gaining an additional year of experience on towing vessels while holding the Apprentice Mate license and complete a Radar Observer course and a TOAR you will be issued a license as Mate of Towing.
2. If you hold a license as Master 200 tons or less and have three years experience working as master under the authority of the license you can qualify for a Mate of Towing license by completing thirty-days on a route, a TOAR and the Apprentice Mate (steersman) course or exam.
3. If you hold a license as Master or Mate greater than 200 tons and complete thirty-days on a route and a TOAR you can operate any towing vessel within the authority of your license.

Oly Olson, owner of Tiki Charters in Astoria, is looking for one or more charter boat captains for the upcoming fishing season. Minimum requirements are:

• USCG license as Master 25 tons with a near coastal route
• Experience in ocean fishing and Columbia River bar crossings
• Good people and customer relation skills

If you meet these qualifications contact Oly at (503) 325-7818

I sent an email to Captain Sweeney of Maritime Headhunters to see if he had any good news on the employment front and this was the response. It has been my experience that Captain Sweeney is a straight shooter who does not sugar-coat his answers. If you want someone to give you a line of BS go somewhere else; Captain Sweeney tells it like it is.

Ahoy Captain Dennis!

“Commercial work for vessels less than 200 tons, especially tugs, is being affected by the seasonal slowdown in Alaska, but those interested in running charters should be aware that many employers are hiring now for summer work up north. Relief/rebuilding efforts after the earthquake in Haiti have already spurred an increase in West Coast shipping activity. A number of professional mariners registered with our service are currently on their way to the Caribbean.”

That’s the situation, now…

Thanks!

Smooth Sailin.’

Kelly

Captain Kelly Sweeney
Maritime Headhunters, LLC
ph: (360) 678-3350
fax: (360) 678-7086

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.”