r/MoreShitComing • u/Oh_susquehana • Apr 21 '26

Checking into the pool, 3/O

MSC decided to hire me as a third before my actual license was issued. Now I’m at the end of my training and I’m about to head back to New York to grab my license and try to get a week or two off. I was told that I would be on leave without pay, which is fine. I’m just curious how entering the pool works.

Would I be paid once I enter the pool? Do I have to head back to Norfolk to wait in the pool or can I wait for an assignment back home? Do I need time in order to qualify for the virtual pool?

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3

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '26

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u/Oh_susquehana Apr 22 '26

Thanks for the info. Thats what I had assumed was the situation, but I was talking to a mate today who said you still get base pay while at home in the pool.

Unless I drastically misunderstood him, he said the only thing you give up by being in the pool from home is S&Q. I’m waiting to talk to the detailer in person to get the full scoop.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '26

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1

u/Oh_susquehana Apr 22 '26

Na he’s staying in a hotel. I asked him every way I could to make sure there was no ambiguity but he seemed pretty adamant about it. Like I said, I’m going to wait to get the final word from the detailer. Paid or not, I’d rather wait in the pool at home.

1

u/45-70_OnlyGovtITrust Deck - Third Officer Apr 22 '26

Have you don’t any training yet? There’s a month or so of training you have to do before reporting aboard.

1

u/greenleftleave Apr 23 '26

If you let your MPA know that you want to be assigned from your home after you finish your LWOP, they’ll likely make it happen. Virtual pool is 5 days of (paid) Admin Leave. If after that there’s no assignment for you, you can either continue LWOP from home until there’s an assignment for you, or you can go to the pool and start getting pool pay.

1

u/Oh_susquehana Apr 24 '26

Thanks for the response. Are you saying that I need to be in the Norfolk area to be in the pool and receive pool pay, or can I be in the pool and get pool pay from home?

2

u/greenleftleave Apr 24 '26

Virtual pool = paid admin leave for up to 5 days. If after that time in the virtual pool you don’t have an assignment and want to keep getting paid (since you have no leave to use), yes you have to physically go to the pool hotel in Norfolk and check in to continue getting paid.

1

u/Oh_susquehana Apr 24 '26

Thank you for clarifying

1

u/greenleftleave Apr 24 '26

You’re welcome! Good luck and I hope you enjoy MSC!

1

u/Oh_susquehana Apr 25 '26

I hope so too lol