My grandfather was a Merchant Marine Sailor from 1941-1943 according to his DD214. I also know that he served in the Atlantic (torpedoed), Pacific and Mediterranean, during WW2 after his Merchant Marine service.

How is that possible. I have his complete records from the USCG and what I believe to be his complete entries into the discharge book from the time he went to sea in 1913 to being put ashore in 1962. But not having time to sit down and do the research, I don’t know who he was sailing for. The USCG has pointed me to NARA. I’ve contacted them but haven’t heard back yet.

Any ideas who he was sailing for? Was the Wartime Shipping Administration separate from the Merchant Marine service?

Have my TWIC, MMC with STCW Basic Training and VPDSD, passport, as well as up to date STCW Med Cert.
No maritime experience but I’ve worked long hour-labor intensive jobs since high school a few years ago.
I’ve applied to at least 60 jobs across the country, obviously would prefer to stay in California but open to anywhere to get my foot in the door.
Any advice or companies to follow up with?
Thanks in advance

I just got out of the marine corps and am very interested in a maritime career hopefully in the engine department. I’ve done a decent amount of research but I am unsure of which route to take. I know about msc siu and the mitags but I’m wondering would if I just be better off going to a merchant marine academy and getting a degree then going from there? Also sorry if I posted this in the wrong place

I hear you work a lot as a merchant marine but there’s also the freedom of traveling the world. Is liberty common? What’s a day look like? Are you mainly on the ship like 24/7? I’m guessing it depends on the boat, but you guys have any good experiences off the ship? I feel like I’m due for a trip in South Asia and other lands where money goes farther and you can have fun

Hi,
I’m a Red seal journeyman millwright who has always loved the sea
I’ve been offshore as a mechanic on a couple of FPSOs and a couple of drilling rigs
But I’ve always loved coming out on the supply boats and wondering what my best course of action would be as to get a job on a ship
Thanks

Hey everyone! I’m 24 and trying to break into the maritime industry. NCL paid for my basic training and credentials, and VPDSD is the only certification I have left.

I’ve applied to several companies but haven’t landed an entry level position yet. I’ve been debating between IT and the Merchant Marine, but I’m leaning toward maritime because I want to build financial stability, save money, travel, and eventually relocate.

My main questions are:
What companies hire entry level mariners with little or no sea time?

Should I get VPDSD before applying elsewhere?

Are there any unions or hiring halls you recommend?

What is the work life balance like? Is it possible to meet people and enjoy your twenties while working at sea?

I’m willing to work hard and start wherever I can get my foot in the door. I’d appreciate any advice or recommendations from people in the industry!

Thank you!

I’d prefer to pay as minimal as possible which is why I’m doing military sealift command plus it’s a federal job. I’m open to anyone who’s had a better career path in another lane say the union or tugboats etc. I’m new to the industry.

Copied from a friend:

My pilot group, the Southeast Alaska Pilots’ Association, is holding an entrance exam next spring. With the increase in cruise ship traffic and the silver tsunami of retirements, we definitely need more folks.

Big questions first:

1. You MUST be a US Citizen.

2. You MUST have a minimum 1600T Master, Inland to apply.

3. But to make things more complicated, the state of Alaska requires that before becoming a licensed pilot (i.e. after you get accepted into the training program) you get Federal Pilotage for the entire region with no tonnage restrictions. Practically, this means you either already have some unlimited tonnage Federal Pilotage on your 1600, or you also have an Unlimited Mate or Master license (Inland is fine).

4. We do NOT offer any stipend, nor do we reimburse for any expenses. But, we also do NOT have a buy-in.

5. This training program is not for the faint of heart. It is hard, rightfully so, to get in and then stay in. But, this is, IMHO, the best piloting job in the world.

Email your questions to seapa.exam@gmail.com.

We'll ignore questions answered above or in this attached flyer.

(Because picking out details is an important skill for pilots.)

I’m currently on hitch. I just took my survival craft and now that’s left is my AB and Night watch for international waters. I plan on taking my classes in November. Do anyone have a rough estimate how long it’ll take to get back?

Can’t seem to log in. Tried every authentication method. Keeps telling me there is an issue. Wondering it there is something common and obvious that I’m missing?

Military sealift command covers your stcw training fees correct? Im planning on getting into the merchant marine industry via military sealift command. I got basically everything but still waiting on my MMC. How long did it take yall to get yours? Im at 3 weeks now, and when you got it how long did it take to get a job offer from the military sealift command?

Just wanted to ask a few questions in this subreddit. I have seen other subreddits related to the merchant navy but literally every post I see warns people to stay well away from this career. It seems a lot of those people are speaking from their experience being a seafarer from South Asia or other Asian countries, but it's hard to tell.

I have good A level grades but have found it difficult to secure apprenticeships in other fields in the past year, possibly from not searching hard enough or an especially competitive market nowadays. I've received an offer for an ETO cadetship from a well regarded shipping company, and I increasingly interested in the career. By the time I complete my cadetship I will be in my late twenties.

Initially I heard that there is a massive demand for engine/electrical cadets, but I also about companies hiring officers from countries with cheaper labour, and UK officers finding it more difficult to find secure jobs/ having to settle for less pay. Is this the case?

I'd call myself an ambivert and I think I can handle time away from family and friends, as long as I have contact with them through the internet. Are there any of you who also thought this was the case for them but was proven wrong by the reality? or on the other hand, affirmed and pleasantly surprised about how it was to deal with the isolation, if it even felt like that?

What is day to day life and structure like for an ETO on ship? I've seen descriptions of people working day shift hours, but also other people describing it as "12 hour shifts". What is the average day like? On busy days, is it stressful, is it fulfilling, is the reward worth the effort? What is it like decompressing after these days, and do you ever get to recover from this while still on ship? I am well aware of the fact that you will often be the only ETO on board, so if any issue arises you will have to respond to it, no matter the expected day structure you have.
What do you spend quiet/rest time doing on ship. Studying, lounging, using the gym, watching videos/ playing games?

Which contract rotations do you find work best for you? Do you find it's true that the pattern of long time on and off ACTUALLY gives you more quality time with your family, and is this more important to you than seeing them every day? Do you spend time off studying, relaxing, travelling, do the extra long breaks get mundane?

My biggest concern is what it would be like to find a partner/ maintain a relationship. I understand with patchy connectivity and long time at sea, it puts a lot of strain on relationships, and both parties have to communicate well and be realistic about expectations. I am in mid twenties now and It's something I am thinking about more, would anyone say that their life as a seafarer actually fared better in ways for navigating relationships and life with their kids?

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Can we directly join without going for course from marine academy?

Not necessarily electrical department but any other department

Getting ready for my appointment with my medical provider, I was going over my CG-719K, and obviously I need to disclose my ADHD because I'm currently RX'ed adderall that I take "as needed." My big question is: do I disclose my fairly mild depression episodes? They are noted in my medical file, and about 10 years ago I did take wellbutrin. I'm wondering how much I should disclose and how much they'll dig into my medical history. AI was 100% "should disclose" but suggested attaching a "provider clinical review" document signed by my physician that goes into causes, symptoms, and basically how it is of little or no concern to be able to do the job safely. Thoughts?

Hello everyone,

I am working on completing my MMC application and I am looking for advice. I live in a legal state and have used weed pretty regularly for the past 5 years or so. I currently work a desk job in the automotive industry and am tired of office work and looking for a change. My current job, which I have been at for two years, required a drug test. Despite my "best" efforts, weed showed up on my test as a diluted positive. However, I was still hired since I live in a legal state; management just advised me to be careful with my use and it has not been an issue at all since I started. I have since quit smoking but I am unsure if I should answer some of the questions on the CG-719B form truthfully. Particularly, disclosing my past use and failed drug test. I have seen pretty mixed messages on this sort of question on here so I am looking for more input. On one hand, the less the Gov't knows the better, and I don't want to hurt my chances of obtaining an MMC. On the other hand, I do not want dishonesty on this form to come back to bite me and ruin my chances either. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: to be clear, I understand that I need to quit weed use altogether, that is my plan. My question is regarding how I should go about filling out the MMC application.

I got accepted to the apprenticeship last November, just waiting on a class date. If I could take the vpdsd and stcw and submit it by December how long or useful would it be to then just sign up for my c book and get on a ship. Already have my original mmc twic and all that without endorsements

Im 26, and have never had a real relationship. Im bi so I technically have a huge potential dating pool, but I dont understand how people meet their partners while sailing, or how you could even try to start a relationship when you work half/majority of the year. I feel like Im getting older and older and it's already hard to meet people to begin with.

I tried meeting peeps on apps, and maybe ill meet up with them when I get home but they mostly fizzle out because of the time differences and long hours I work.

Ive found that sailors' relationships are mostly like this:

1. They met their SO before sailing

2. They met their SO while on the boat

3. Theyre on their 2nd, 3rd, 4th marriage, and either: a. Get a green card marriage or b: give up.

I genuinely feel hopeless with this. My job is federal, so I can only get between 4 months off a year as a rule, and can maybe stretch it to 6 months depending on how much OT I convert. I dont plan on sailing forever.

Was wondering if there are any young guys like me that can shed some light on how you met your partner and maybe help a bro out. Thanks.

I finally got all the required documents to join the union! Last Thursday I took a basic English test that was 40 questions. Easiest test you’ll ever take! Paid $515 to get bloodwork, physical, and shots (I have to schedule that.) In total I have spent about $3k in this entire process. If you plan on going to the union outside of the apprenticeship this isn’t cheap.

I’m starting with Kirby Inland on October 26 and heading to Houston for three weeks of orientation/training. This will be my first job in the maritime industry.

For anyone who’s been through their training recently, what should I expect? What are the days like, how physical is it, and is there anything you wish you’d known before arriving?

I’m also missing a winter jacket, rain jacket, and insulated coveralls from the packing list. Money is tight before I leave, so I’m trying to figure out what I absolutely need on day one. Would arriving without those cause a problem or get me sent home, or could I get them before my first boat assignment?

Any advice on must-have gear versus things that can wait would be appreciated. Thanks!

I’m dating a man who works in the maritime industry, and I care about him a lot. We’ve shared some really meaningful moments. He has said he has feelings for me and doesn’t want to lose our connection, but he has also said he isn’t ready to promise a relationship. More recently, he called me his girlfriend, which makes me wonder where we actually stand.
I understand that his work and the distance can make dating complicated. I don’t expect constant contact, but I do want clarity about whether we’re building something together.
For seafarers or people dating someone in this industry, how do you make a relationship work? What are reasonable expectations around communication and commitment? How do you tell whether someone needs time because of their lifestyle or simply isn’t ready for a relationship?