Discover the Trusted Source for Expert Maritime Advisory since 2007

 

Work on the water. Travel the Country or the World. Live on board SHIPS and other various types of vessels with absolutely no expenses. No experience required. Male or Female. Everyone starts out as an Entry Level Mariner except those with previous Shipboard experience. Veterans who served in the the Navy or Coast Guard for example may have qualifying sea service and can enter this field with ratings and as a result receive life changing wages.

Fun Fact

The successful mission of any Ship requires that everyone from the Captain to the Dishwasher do there job. If just one entity breaks down the ship cannot complete its mission.

The U.S. Merchant Marine is a unique occupation that many will say that once you have experienced it you will not want to do anything else. The freedom of making a great living while traveling and working on the water with quality time off is like no other.. Work eight months out of the year and get paid a years wages. Take advantage of temporary shortages of Rated and Licensed U.S. Mariners and move up quickly .If you have a culinary degree or Military Cooking experience, or an extensive cooking background (verifiable) then you have an excellent opportunity. Shipyard Workers make this an easy transition. If you worked the Shipyards your a great candidate for this field. Be the Sailor!

The U.S. Merchant Marine is one of the hardest fields to break into. In most cases it requires assistance from someone in the field who is willing to take you through the process and help you achieve this. My father helped me and I helped my son. There are also Maritime Academies that once you have completed the four year course you graduate as a Maritime Officer.

I'm a retired Merchant Mariner and have assisted many people with getting into this unique occupation. I created this rare service in 2007 and have shown how the road less traveled can be the best traveled. Many of my clients are living this dream and some have even retired as officers. My first client was a female swim instructor for the YMCA. She took a chance and recently obtained her Engineers license working for the State of Alaska Ferry System. This may not be for everyone but for those who have the desire to travel and make a great living doing so, and can get along with all types of personalities then this is may be your career.

Veterans have the best opportunity to make this Transition and will receive Preference in both this service and employment.

As a Mariner you can work alongside the Navy on Naval Supply Ships in the Department of War. Oceanographic ships are great jobs that travel to great places and pay well. Tugboat jobs will keep you closer to home.  Work in the Gulf of America on Crew and Supply Vessels running supplies to oil rigs. These are short rotations. You can Work and live in Alaska on the Marine Highway System. You can work and live in Hawaii on our only International  American Flagged Cruise Ship we have in this country. There are also opportunities working for The American inland Cruise lines. These are all Mariner positions that are obtainable. There are Maritime Training Schools that will house and feed you while you go through real shipboard training, and when completed you come out as a Rated Mariner. There are opportunities on the Great Lakes and the rivers of the U.S. Working on Oil Tankers that pay top wages.

Cost / Fees (see fees page)There is no other Career or trade out there that doesn't require you to go in debt to obtain. This can be obtained by anyone. Before you invest in becoming a Truck Driver give this some consideration. Its much less an investment with a much better payoff. Go to the Fees tab on this site for a breakdown of the Credentials and fees to obtain this.

There is no age limit. If you can pass a general physical and work with no limitations you can ship out well into your senior years. I have many clients that started in there 60s and 70s.

There are several ways to enter this field. You can go through a Maritime Academy and upon completing a four-year program you will graduate as a Licensed Officer / Mariner. There are also one-year apprenticeship programs available that if selected, and upon completion, (usually 8 months) you will receive job placement. OR with my assistance, you can obtain the required credentials / ratings and employment without going to an academy or apprenticeship program. Work your way up a short ladder. WE call it a Hawsepiper in the Merchant Marine. One who started at the bottom and worked there way up will always get respect in this field.

This is a Second Chance Industry. If you made some mistakes in life this occupation will allow you to have a thriving Maritime career with no boundaries. There are waiting periods for many convictions. If you have paid restitution and enough time has passed you can do this. Call me for questions or concerns.

Alternative to joining the Service. This is another option to serve your Country by working as a Mariner for the Department of War.

Previous shipboard experience / Prior Military Shipboard Experience You can transition that experience into ratings in the U.S. Merchant Marine. My service assist with all Ratings, Training and Certifications. Work eight (8)! months a year making over $100,000!

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 qualifying sea time.

Duty assignments that transition: 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!

Veterans With Disabilities
You can obtain a 10-point preference working with the Department of War and other federal Maritime companies like NOAA for example.. 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.

Active Military / Veterans Receive Hiring Preference

Once you obtain your rating 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 and find out there mission and rotation.. 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 America, the rivers, and great lakes and offshore, Tugboat jobs keep you home. 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 on any type of vessel!.

U.S. Merchant vessels have nice living conditions. You will have your own stateroom and bathroom.  Tugboats and supply vessels may require you share a room. Ships and small vessels have a crews lounge. All ships have a workout room some are elaborate and some are basics. All have Internet access. Laptops are advisable to bring while shipping. Food is provided and is prepared towards your dietary needs. Its what you want and all you can eat.

How you are paid when on a vessel will vary. Some pay daily rates, and some pay hourly 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 $50,000 a year, then you will actually make around $100,000 or more with your overtime. It is easy math to see that the $ is in the OT.

Base pay at a daily rate varies from $200 to $425 or more. Rated Mariners $425 and up. In one year you can become rated.

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

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! Know the ships sailing board!

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!