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This site offers the opportunity to obtain a career as a Merchant Mariner in the United States Merchant Marine. See the World and Country.  No Experience required, Male or Female. Veterans Transitioning from Military to Mariner will receive hiring preference.

Becoming a U.S. Mariner is a unique way to make great money while traveling on the water. This is not just a job it is a lifestyle that once you have experienced it you may not want to do anything else. TAKE NOTE: The new regulations have made it easier to move up into a rating in the U.S. Merchant Marine and in just one year you can be making $100,000 + with time off. There is no other opportunity like this. There is no job that offers so much and requires very little to get started and to move up. Your sacrifice for leaving home is well compensated.  What it does require is a minimum investment for credentials, a Maritime Consultant fee along with an optional 5-day training class and motivation. So, before you spend the big $ on truck driving training or whatever trade school you may be considering getting into take look at what I am disclosing and offering. A few paychecks is all you need to achieve this, no debt required. Be informed and read this site in its entirety (4 pages/tabs) before calling me.

Work alongside the Navy on Naval supply ships with the department of defense. Oceanographic ships are interesting jobs and pay well. Tugboat jobs keep you closer to home. Work in the Gulf of Mexico on crew and supply vessels, these are short rotations. You can Work and live in Alaska, See Hawaii while you work on American flag cruise ships.

There is no previous experience required to enter this field. Male or female can obtain the necessary credentials and employment in the U.S. Merchant Marine.

There is no age limit for U.S. Merchant Mariners. If you can pass a general physical and work with no limitations you can do this well into your senior years. I have many clients that started in there 60s and even 70.

There are several ways to enter this field. You can go through a Maritime Academy and upon completing a four-year program, graduate as a Licensed Mariner. There are also one-year apprenticeship programs available that if selected, and upon completion, (usually one year) you will receive job placement.

With my assistance, you can obtain the required credentials and employment without going to an academy or apprenticeship program. You would enter this field as an Entry-level Mariner or a Rated Mariner.

This is a Second Chance Industry. Most all convictions have a waiting period for obtaining Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) If you made some mistakes in life this occupation will allow you to have a thriving Maritime career with no boundaries.

Previous shipboard experience either through military service or other vessel experience may transition into ratings in the U.S. Merchant Marine. My service assist with all requirements for ratings. Training and Certifications.

In most cases you can have all credentials required to obtain an entry-level position inland and abroad within 60 days from initiating the process.

Ratings will require additional (short) training. Entry Level Mariners start at the bottom and work your way up. It is on-the-job training! Make excellent wages while you move up the ladder and into your desired position on a ship.

Prior Military
You can enter this field with hiring preference. There is no previous sea experience required to enter this field. You can move up very quickly and acquire ratings through sea time in a particular department.

Prior Navy or Coast Guard
Your sea experience / duty assignments may transition into ratings as a U.S. Merchant Mariner. If you served in either the deck or engineering departments, you may be sitting on a treasure of sea time.

Duty assignments, such as BM, OS, EN, BT, DC, CG, QM, RD, SM, TT, GS, GSE, GSM, GM, HT, MK, MR, QM, DS, HT and MM, will transition. Good cooks are always in great demand! Where are all the Chefs!

Veterans With Disabilities
You can obtain a 10-point preference working with the Department of Defense and other federal Maritime companies. If you’re able to work without limitations, this is a great opportunity.

How you were discharged from the service is not relevant when it comes to obtaining the credentials, ratings, and employment as a U.S. Merchant Mariner. Merchant Mariners are civilians and don't fall under the same rules of the Military.

How an OTH discharge MAY affect you is in obtaining hiring preference. These are usually handled on a case-by-case basis. You have a great opportunity to make this transition.

For anyone interested in doing this type of work, be prepared to travel. This is a traveling job! You have to be able to leave home for months at a time.

When you obtain higher ratings, you will have more control over your time away and your preferred location in the world. You can also include your spouse in your travel experiences.

There is no way to know how long you will be gone until you are hired by a Maritime company. You could be expected to ship for up to four or more months at a time with some companies. You will be on a rotation.

If you prefer not to be away for that long of a period, then you work on inland waters, such as the Gulf of Mexico, the rivers, and great lakes. These are generally short rotations.

I will say this, when just starting out, you don't want to turn down any opportunities, so be prepared to leave home for an undisclosed amount of time.

U.S. Merchant vessels have nice living conditions. In most cases you will have your own stateroom and  bathroom. Ships have a crew lounge with books and movies usually available for use. Most ships have a workout room. Laptops are advisable to have with you on board. Many ships have satellite access / Internet. Food is provided with choices and as much as you want. You can gain weight if you’re not careful!

How you are paid when on a vessel will vary. Some pay daily rates, and some pay hourly or a base salary. You work seven days a week on a vessel, so there is always going to be overtime!

Basically, you will at least double your base salary with the overtime. If a company lists that their base salary is $30,000 a year, then you will actually make around $60,000 or more with your overtime. It is easy math to see that the $ is in the OT.

Base pay at a daily rate as ENTRY LEVEL Mariner varies from $200 to $280. Rated Mariners double that and more.

Direct deposit is how most companies will pay you. Most companies offer vacation pay when you’re in between rotations. Most offer benefits for permanent employees and their families.

When you’re on a ship and off work (your working day is done), you can go ashore and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Go see the sites, and enjoy yourself. Just be back for work on time the next day! That's what is great about this job!

You also get periods of time off. Most people never get to enjoy a month or two off at a time. Also, as previously stated, this job is one of the few jobs that will help you save money since everything is provided!

There are three departments on most ships.

The Steward Department:
Any entry-level Mariner can qualify for this department. If you have cooking experience, cook jobs are plentiful and in demand. This department maintains the interior of the ship, cleans, takes care of ship supplies, and of course, food preparation.

Be prepared to have to start in the Steward Dept. with some companies. You can transfer to the Deck or Engine Dept. from within.

The Deck Department:
Entry-level jobs in this department are ordinary seamen or deckhands. The Deck dept. maintains the exterior of the ship, like chipping and painting, for instance, stand navigational watch on the bridge, assist with cargo movement, and is responsible for getting the ship to its destination.

The Engine Department:
Entry-level jobs in this department are wipers and engine utilitymen. The Engine Department takes care of the engines and all mechanical equipment on board.

The way you move up in rating and pay scale is through sea time in a department. The engine room has the most ratings, and you can move up very quickly. In just six months of sea time, you can obtain your first rating and double your income.

This not just a job, its a good time !