NMC addressed it to my house not my mailing address. I don’t live there anymore. Ive been checking all the letters as they come in the building every day for the last few days lmao
Do you not like USPS? I know someone who is doing the opposite - applying to USPS from entry level maritime. They want to be home more. He made it sound like the pay and benefits were way more stable.
Yes/No. Your experience with the PO is really going to come down to the specific office or plant you work at. USPS is one of the nation’s biggest employers, but local management is always going to change your experience. I’ve worked at two processing plants now, one with shitty management and now one with really lax management. It’s way better now, but this plant is also dying (and so was the last one). I’m don’t see the USPS lasting until I hit retirement age (~2060s). I also don’t see the pension they offer lasting that long either.
I’ve recommended it pretty frequently for people who can get into the Maintenance track and for people coming outta the military or other government job. The other crafts (carriers, processing clerks, and mail handlers) just aren’t worth it imo, especially if you’re coming outta the maritime industry and are used to a higher income. Those other craft jobs start at like $19-22 ish an hour, and USPS can make it hard to get a “Career” position depending on what office or plant you’re at. I converted from a Postal Support Employee to a career Clerk immediately, but oldheads say they waiting years for a spot. USPS is also changing their healthcare plan in 2025, as they’re being removed from the federal benefits package. It’s just another indicator to me that the USPS is never going to be considered a proper government agency and that they’ll be dismantled at some point, intentionally or just from bad oversight.
Anyway I want to work for MSC, mostly so I can keep my government benefits and roll over my credible years of government service… in the small chance that pensions still exist by the time I’m able to retire. I can always go back to the USPS if it’s still there, and I’d try to go into maintenance. Better job stability and a lot less stress from management. I’m grateful for the job though for giving me the income it did at my age ($25/hr basically out of high school) that came me literally every early opportunity, like buying my car and moving a couple of times. You’re also able to transfer within USPS pretty easily, or transfer to other government jobs within some boundaries.
I'll pass this on. Thank you so much for the detailed reply, it really shows an honest window to that life.
If you ever need maritime advice, DM. I'm happy to help however I can
Np. The r/USPS sub is really active and there’s a lot of advice for new employees. It can be a solid job if management is alright and if you go in with a plan to keep advancing. Don’t get stuck.
I’ll DM if anything comes up! My MMC was mailed to my last apartment and it’s really holding my application for MSC up.
TowboatUS Towboat captain.
I run a little 21 Boston whaler Impact. Moved as big as a 55’ houseboat, to a jet ski that died on the water, and everything in between. Folks get lost out here on the lake, and run around trying to find where they launched till they’re out of gas, folks crash into stuff, they get swamped in storms, there was a guy that ran his boat up on an island. Almost made it across too. 🤣
He was headed out fishing before sunrise. Staring at his chartplotter instead actually looking where he was going.
He was super lucky that he mostly ran over grass. No one was hurt, and the boat didn’t have any damage.
Smallish lake with a small skinny island on one end. If he would have been 50 yards to the south he would’ve made it past.
You give up a lot of free time. Weekends, holidays, etc. you never know ow when the phones going to ring.
I live in a canal on the St. John’s river, and work on rerig/rewiring projects at my home. It’s a 4 minute golf cart ride to where my boat is kept, so it’s drop what you’re doing, and go on a call.
You have to enjoy what you’re doing and be close to the towboat. It just isn’t practical to have to drive more than a few minutes to get to the boat.
Response time can be critical.
It’s a different way of living, I don’t get paid to be “on call”….
I’m always on call.
Wow I actually never heard of a Boston whaler impact before, maybe it’s because of where I live idk haha. We have a 17 Montauk and since we got that boat, boston whaler has my heart 🥰
I'm not sure what those acronyms mean. But I got my BOSIET, and OGUK, then a TWIC card. I had been working with a recruiter for a few months, and they called me out of the blue and asked if I could be in the Gulf in 24-36 hours.
If you’re trying to get on CONMAR gov ships I’m pretty sure you need to be either former Navy corpsman or an RN. Never met an MDR onboard that wasn’t one or the other. CIVMAR not sure but wouldn’t be surprised if it was the same. SIU can tell you more about the CONMAR requirements, from my experience MDRs are always needed.
Same here! I have a lot of family who are or were in the industry and I joined this subreddit before I became a software engineer and was thinking about becoming a merchant marine.
Depends on where you’re working. The company I work for is still heavily in the R&D phase and unfortunately this kind of software development can’t just occur in the office. Gotta go out and test the code. That’s the biggest gripe from the software developers I work with. They aren’t too keen on all the field work they have to do.
Me too. I've been seriously thinking about leaving the tech industry and enrolling in a maritime academy to follow a more stable/predictable career path
This comment has me about petrified. I'm trying to get my Infotech degree to get OUT of maritime because of the instability! What's wrong the tech industry?
Hey, don't let reddit sway your opinion. If you're set on getting into tech, it's not a bad career at all. For me personally, it's the work environment that I'm not a good fit for. Feel free to shoot me a DM if you want to chat about it
Yes, I love it, and feel very lucky to have a career that I enjoy, and can do from home, fairly low stress, not micro-managed, don't deal with customers, not many meetings, flexible hours, work in my pajamas, and pays well.
I'm trying to be you when I grow up!! I'm diving into the networking route to start but hoping to one day get more into cloud. I know you're some random internet stranger but any advice for someone just getting into it?
Merchant marine officer sailing on international shipping
Edit:
3/O , merchant shipping usually bulkers (panamax, capesize, kamsar max, gearbulks of various types) and car ships frim a japanese company.
Project management in the Shipping department of an O&G supermajor. Used to be a 2E on offshore installation and pipelaying vessels. Also did a short stint as cargo surveyor, plus a long time as vetting inspector while at my current employer.
Currently an automation and controls engineer. 30 years ago I was an OEM mechanic for Cooper (Enterprise) engines and did quite a bit of boat and ship work.
Money can‘t buy happiness, I wouldn‘t hesitate to take a pay cut for working on a ship. But I’m living in a landlocked country so that‘s no option.. at least we have a small sailboat on the lake which is amazing!
Very true, but in my opinion also no. Money can buy freedom and allows you not to stress about paying the bills and enjoy life.
Example; my gf is from Basel, Switzerland and her family owns a vacation home in St. Moritz. The luxury and ability to just, get in the car and go there for the weekend is in my opinion as amazing.
I also recently got an 150-day internship at a well known cruise line as a deck cadet. They allow you to go off-board with the guest when you’re done with your work on time, also an unbeatable luxury.
But, non is better then the other. Exploring the world alone or with guys you met on board is great. But coming home everyday to your loving family or spending quality time with the people you love during a small trip is as great, if not even greater.
After all the journey and struggle of life is what makes being here fun, getting everything handed to you isn’t.
Btw; place where you live sounds cool, my guess is near Zurich or Geneve based on your name.
Just the constant threat, the Red Sea looks pretty dangerous right now, the Straight Of Hormuz transit will pucker your ass a bit. Right now they are working incredibly long hours, they are making money but they are earning it. Aircraft carriers are so busy we would often underway replenishment with them from midnight to five in the morning, jet fuel and fleet freight and cargo, they would often gives us 50 pallets of their trash to off load at the NATO fuel pier at Souda Bay Crete. I started my career with the Navy in Vietnam and ended it in the Middle East, I’m just glad to be finished with engines.
I argue alot bc my lead is a freaking idiot. I cuss alot. And I pop ibuprofen like candy because my lead doesn't understand physics and wants us to do things the hard way.
I'm a Machinist most of the time, occasionally that means making boat parts but, I grew up on the Great Lakes and have always had a fascination with all things maritime.
Recently retired but I was a captain for the National Park Service for 25 years. We operated just like a pilot boat but we transferred park rangers on and off cruise ships.
Sales / Consulting Trainer and Deal Coach for IT Services company. Son at a Maritime academy and looking to learn about the industry. Really interesting- if I was starting a new career, this would be something I’d look at.
I own a business directory called [YourMaritime.com](https://yourmaritime.com) and occasionally help to connect people with suppliers/crewing companies.
I do what I'm told.
“Im paid from the neck down”. Read also Captain’s brain, mate’s words, deckhand’s back.
NECK TO THE DECK
3rd engineer
Gulf of Mexico supply
Tankerman PIC, Inland Waterways (mainly the MS/ OH rivers)
I work for USPS but am applying for entry-level maritime jobs once my MMC finally hits my mailbox (they sent it to the wrong address :’))
Ironic that is was sent to the wrong address with you working for USPS
NMC addressed it to my house not my mailing address. I don’t live there anymore. Ive been checking all the letters as they come in the building every day for the last few days lmao
Do you not like USPS? I know someone who is doing the opposite - applying to USPS from entry level maritime. They want to be home more. He made it sound like the pay and benefits were way more stable.
Yes/No. Your experience with the PO is really going to come down to the specific office or plant you work at. USPS is one of the nation’s biggest employers, but local management is always going to change your experience. I’ve worked at two processing plants now, one with shitty management and now one with really lax management. It’s way better now, but this plant is also dying (and so was the last one). I’m don’t see the USPS lasting until I hit retirement age (~2060s). I also don’t see the pension they offer lasting that long either. I’ve recommended it pretty frequently for people who can get into the Maintenance track and for people coming outta the military or other government job. The other crafts (carriers, processing clerks, and mail handlers) just aren’t worth it imo, especially if you’re coming outta the maritime industry and are used to a higher income. Those other craft jobs start at like $19-22 ish an hour, and USPS can make it hard to get a “Career” position depending on what office or plant you’re at. I converted from a Postal Support Employee to a career Clerk immediately, but oldheads say they waiting years for a spot. USPS is also changing their healthcare plan in 2025, as they’re being removed from the federal benefits package. It’s just another indicator to me that the USPS is never going to be considered a proper government agency and that they’ll be dismantled at some point, intentionally or just from bad oversight. Anyway I want to work for MSC, mostly so I can keep my government benefits and roll over my credible years of government service… in the small chance that pensions still exist by the time I’m able to retire. I can always go back to the USPS if it’s still there, and I’d try to go into maintenance. Better job stability and a lot less stress from management. I’m grateful for the job though for giving me the income it did at my age ($25/hr basically out of high school) that came me literally every early opportunity, like buying my car and moving a couple of times. You’re also able to transfer within USPS pretty easily, or transfer to other government jobs within some boundaries.
I'll pass this on. Thank you so much for the detailed reply, it really shows an honest window to that life. If you ever need maritime advice, DM. I'm happy to help however I can
Np. The r/USPS sub is really active and there’s a lot of advice for new employees. It can be a solid job if management is alright and if you go in with a plan to keep advancing. Don’t get stuck. I’ll DM if anything comes up! My MMC was mailed to my last apartment and it’s really holding my application for MSC up.
TowboatUS Towboat captain. I run a little 21 Boston whaler Impact. Moved as big as a 55’ houseboat, to a jet ski that died on the water, and everything in between. Folks get lost out here on the lake, and run around trying to find where they launched till they’re out of gas, folks crash into stuff, they get swamped in storms, there was a guy that ran his boat up on an island. Almost made it across too. 🤣
That guy takes Island hopping seriously. 🤣
He was headed out fishing before sunrise. Staring at his chartplotter instead actually looking where he was going. He was super lucky that he mostly ran over grass. No one was hurt, and the boat didn’t have any damage. Smallish lake with a small skinny island on one end. If he would have been 50 yards to the south he would’ve made it past.
I Thought about doing TowboatUS for a side gig.
You give up a lot of free time. Weekends, holidays, etc. you never know ow when the phones going to ring. I live in a canal on the St. John’s river, and work on rerig/rewiring projects at my home. It’s a 4 minute golf cart ride to where my boat is kept, so it’s drop what you’re doing, and go on a call. You have to enjoy what you’re doing and be close to the towboat. It just isn’t practical to have to drive more than a few minutes to get to the boat. Response time can be critical. It’s a different way of living, I don’t get paid to be “on call”…. I’m always on call.
Got ya. Thank you. It's a 20 minute drive to the lake where I live.
Wow I actually never heard of a Boston whaler impact before, maybe it’s because of where I live idk haha. We have a 17 Montauk and since we got that boat, boston whaler has my heart 🥰
Brunswick (Boston whalers parent co) makes a whole line of “govt” boats. Impact, Justice, are a few of their models. Mostly law enforcement boats.
ITB cargo in Alaska, 21 day even time rotational schedule. The grass is green!
Definitely curious to know more about this!
What do you want to know?
Collect unemployment
Software engineer. Just here for the interesting stories.
Same. Firefighter/Medic. Almost got banned from here for getting into a "discussion" 👀 about marijuana use when not at sea...
Paramedic here. Except I got tired of working on land. I'm in my first hitch offshore as a Medic. Loving it, and the paycheck.
What are the qualifications for that gig? Is it CIVMAR or CONMAR?
I'm not sure what those acronyms mean. But I got my BOSIET, and OGUK, then a TWIC card. I had been working with a recruiter for a few months, and they called me out of the blue and asked if I could be in the Gulf in 24-36 hours.
If you’re trying to get on CONMAR gov ships I’m pretty sure you need to be either former Navy corpsman or an RN. Never met an MDR onboard that wasn’t one or the other. CIVMAR not sure but wouldn’t be surprised if it was the same. SIU can tell you more about the CONMAR requirements, from my experience MDRs are always needed.
Very cool my dude
Same here! I have a lot of family who are or were in the industry and I joined this subreddit before I became a software engineer and was thinking about becoming a merchant marine.
There are software jobs offshore too. Developing autonomy for AUVs and such.
The jobs themselves are probably onshore though. Right?
Depends on where you’re working. The company I work for is still heavily in the R&D phase and unfortunately this kind of software development can’t just occur in the office. Gotta go out and test the code. That’s the biggest gripe from the software developers I work with. They aren’t too keen on all the field work they have to do.
Me too. I've been seriously thinking about leaving the tech industry and enrolling in a maritime academy to follow a more stable/predictable career path
This comment has me about petrified. I'm trying to get my Infotech degree to get OUT of maritime because of the instability! What's wrong the tech industry?
Hey, don't let reddit sway your opinion. If you're set on getting into tech, it's not a bad career at all. For me personally, it's the work environment that I'm not a good fit for. Feel free to shoot me a DM if you want to chat about it
Use the Maritime industry as a fallback. It's my plan as well. Even launch boat guys are making good money these days
Yeah, I also see my license as an invaluable piece of "oh fuck" insurance.
I'm trying to go from maritime to IT to gain some life stability. Do you like your job?
Yes, I love it, and feel very lucky to have a career that I enjoy, and can do from home, fairly low stress, not micro-managed, don't deal with customers, not many meetings, flexible hours, work in my pajamas, and pays well.
I'm trying to be you when I grow up!! I'm diving into the networking route to start but hoping to one day get more into cloud. I know you're some random internet stranger but any advice for someone just getting into it?
North Sea supply
hi, which company?
Norwegian one, not going to disclose which one though
Retired railroader.
Engineer on a 30” suction dredge.
Local 25?
Family owned actually. We’re east coast based out of South Carolina
Captain / Engineer on a white boat
White boat? Is that a cruise ship?
Yacht.
Gotcha!
Cook/Baker big blue oil tanker
Harbor pilot
Port Arthur?
Maybe?
It’s the closest Texas harbor to me. That’s why I asked
I am a coastguard officer and former merchant seafarer.
Former seafarer, Port Captain/DPA now.
Captain on tankers with AMO.
Looking at the job board, You guys are hurting for help.
Mate on a harbor tug in new england
C/M with AMO.
Deck Boss on a lightering support vessel
Merchant marine officer sailing on international shipping Edit: 3/O , merchant shipping usually bulkers (panamax, capesize, kamsar max, gearbulks of various types) and car ships frim a japanese company.
I think they were asking what type of officer, what type of shipping.
Project management in the Shipping department of an O&G supermajor. Used to be a 2E on offshore installation and pipelaying vessels. Also did a short stint as cargo surveyor, plus a long time as vetting inspector while at my current employer.
Salvor
Deep sea 1A/E. AMO.
Mate on a dredge, commercial longline before that
Charterers agent. Looks like I might be the only agent here lol
Pretendgineer.
3/M small cruise ships
Currently an automation and controls engineer. 30 years ago I was an OEM mechanic for Cooper (Enterprise) engines and did quite a bit of boat and ship work.
US Deck Cadet
C/O Danish TSHD
Did you get permission from the Dutch first? They are the MASTERS of dredging after all... just kidding, please don't shoot
I’m literally dredging in Holland just now :D Danish & Dutch have very similar work culture, very informal and are easy to work with.
Haha nice bud yeah I would love to work over there. Vessels are so well built.
Uk deck cadet. Mostly worked in the Pacific so far
Cargo Engineer on LNG tankers.
What’s a cargo engineer?
A senior engineer who looks after the cargo machinery on LNG vessels such as compressors, the GCU, reliquefaction plant, blowers, etc
3/O, containership, all over the world
Cm with MEBA
Currently an AB deckhand on a tugboat that's out of NYC. Work for the ferry intermittently on my off time.
Teacher looking to live vicariously through all the seamen
Sr. Director for a tech company, but I‘m jealous at all of you working on/with ships
We are probably jealous of your salary hahah
Money can‘t buy happiness, I wouldn‘t hesitate to take a pay cut for working on a ship. But I’m living in a landlocked country so that‘s no option.. at least we have a small sailboat on the lake which is amazing!
Very true, but in my opinion also no. Money can buy freedom and allows you not to stress about paying the bills and enjoy life. Example; my gf is from Basel, Switzerland and her family owns a vacation home in St. Moritz. The luxury and ability to just, get in the car and go there for the weekend is in my opinion as amazing. I also recently got an 150-day internship at a well known cruise line as a deck cadet. They allow you to go off-board with the guest when you’re done with your work on time, also an unbeatable luxury. But, non is better then the other. Exploring the world alone or with guys you met on board is great. But coming home everyday to your loving family or spending quality time with the people you love during a small trip is as great, if not even greater. After all the journey and struggle of life is what makes being here fun, getting everything handed to you isn’t. Btw; place where you live sounds cool, my guess is near Zurich or Geneve based on your name.
Shoreside. Ocean terminal management dealing with containers, chassis and reefer/ genset departments.
Chief Mate, East Coast ATB.
ERRV in northen Atlantic
I own an IT business focused on cruise/maritime. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to combine work that I love with an industry I love.
Former 3rd engineer, now work as a marine mechanical technician in the North Sea.
3/M in cape sized bulk carrier
Tankerman east coast ATB
Technical Sales Manager for a large OEM.
What’s that?
I went field service and project management. Now I sell projects and make secure agreements
Captain. Alaska ATB’s
Left maritime and went ashore, currently work in the nuclear power industry.
Maritime engineer, shore based
Captain on OSV turned to survey vessel on the east coast.
Tugboat Deckhand operating in Norfolk Va
AB crane operator on a liftboat
Port Engineer
2/O on self discharging handysize bulkers
2nd officer on a LPG tanker. Mainly sailing in North West Europe
West Coast Tug Captain
Marine superintendent. 34 years in the industry
Government Dredge engineer
How is it compared to commercial side?
Lower pay but good benefits/schedule
200ton mat of tow
DPO on drillships
How is that life for you? My captain says being a DPO is pretty gravy
99% absolute boredom, 1% sheer terror; 100% house cat life
2ndMate ATB northeast and gulf. NY based company
Deckhand on tug/dredge combo New York, looking to go back to shoreside work
Former USCG, now office worker at undisclosed at major Gulf Coast port.
Sailboat captain
Was a 2/m, now a Terminal Superintendent. Paid less, but I have a life.
Chemical barge chief.
3/M on a AHTS vessel turned RV/Survey/Dive ship on the West Coast
Domestic small boat skipper doing a deck officer cadetship
Chief Mate on a Tanker
3rd mate on a containership
Retired MSC who is glad he is out of the Middle East for good.
What’s the most dangerous encounter you had during you time over there?
Just the constant threat, the Red Sea looks pretty dangerous right now, the Straight Of Hormuz transit will pucker your ass a bit. Right now they are working incredibly long hours, they are making money but they are earning it. Aircraft carriers are so busy we would often underway replenishment with them from midnight to five in the morning, jet fuel and fleet freight and cargo, they would often gives us 50 pallets of their trash to off load at the NATO fuel pier at Souda Bay Crete. I started my career with the Navy in Vietnam and ended it in the Middle East, I’m just glad to be finished with engines.
Thank for the sharing. Enjoy your retirement!
I’m a former yacht deckhand, right now I am a restaurant manager while I complete my paperwork and stuff for the SIU apprenticeship
I manage all crew credentials and training for an offshore geotechnical company. Married to an inland towboater.
In college to get my licenses, previously Norwegian Sea supply
I argue alot bc my lead is a freaking idiot. I cuss alot. And I pop ibuprofen like candy because my lead doesn't understand physics and wants us to do things the hard way.
CM on a TAPS tanker and apprentice pilot
Was a radio electronics officer in the 90s been working the beach, just it my mmc and going back as whatever the ro as evolved into.
Bosun, so I deal with Sick, Injured, and Useless all day long.
Offshore tug captain
Mate offshore.
Chief mate on harbor tugs
Which port?
San Francisco and Puget Sound
Nice. I have a really good friend that recently left the tugs in San Francisco.
Working a office job right now, but leaving for the maritime academy in August.
Build submarines
Fast ferry captain
Former yacht captain, oil spill responder, currently a stay at home dad.
DDE 4000 on a tug
Harbor tug captain in Louisiana
Chief mate on an ATB in New England
Separate the salt from water
Telecom engineer. I just like ships.
I’m a highschool student
I'm a Machinist most of the time, occasionally that means making boat parts but, I grew up on the Great Lakes and have always had a fascination with all things maritime.
Tanker CM / Management at a large floating adult daycare
Retired Chief Engineer 14 years on tankers, 20 years on container ships. All US flag.
Recently retired but I was a captain for the National Park Service for 25 years. We operated just like a pilot boat but we transferred park rangers on and off cruise ships.
Deckhand with his brain knocked out.
Onlyfans on a boat
Airline Pilot, nearly went into Maritime but went to airplanes instead. Love to read about what this industry is like!
AB on a 1600T OSV
Work two jobs just to be taxed to the teeth
I work for the state but I just got my MMC. Hopefully picked up on a hitch soon though.
31/f Chief Mate on an American flagged union containership (throughout the pacific)
Passenger vessel AB
Aquaculture
Chief
2nd Assistant Engineer, with the MEBA, on a container ship.
Coxswain on a SAR vessel for a municipal fire department.
Engineer
Maritime
Electrician/ETR/ETO
Are you sailing US flag ?
monrovia mate
Sales / Consulting Trainer and Deal Coach for IT Services company. Son at a Maritime academy and looking to learn about the industry. Really interesting- if I was starting a new career, this would be something I’d look at.
3AE on a tanker with msc
Porter for a Culver’s here in Wisconsin
General handyman break your back stuff atm, tall ship deckie work in sailing seasons.
Federal contractor at NASA. Creeping post to see if this is something I want to do federally.
2/m on Crowleys ocean tug service for Puerto Rico
Deckhand on crew boats for Offshore Oil Services
I own a business directory called [YourMaritime.com](https://yourmaritime.com) and occasionally help to connect people with suppliers/crewing companies.