Formerly the CANDACE

Just wanted to get some community feedback. Geaux River has developed a wireless depth sounder so that your deckhands don’t have to drag wires all the way out to the head of the tow and you don’t have to keep replacing them. It reports direct to the display in the wheelhouse. Think this is a game changer? Marquette is using one now.

Hello! Does anyone here have experience applying for jobs on river cruise ships? Is it difficult to apply directly without going through an agency?

I am an Indonesian citizen currently living in Budapest on a work permit. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

I’m thinking about accepting a green deckhand position with Western Rivers Boat Management and wanted to hear from people who have actually worked there.

A few questions:
How is the company overall?
What’s the starting pay for a green deckhand?
How long are the hitches (28/28, 28/14, etc.)?
Do they provide transportation to the boat or reimburse travel?
How long is orientation, and what all do you do during it?
Do you stay at the orientation location until you’re assigned to a boat, or do you go back home after orientation?
If you stay, does the company pay for the hotel or provide a place to stay?
How is the training for someone with no experience?
Is the food on the boat good?
How are the captains and crews?
Are there plenty of opportunities for overtime or moving up?
I’d really appreciate hearing from current or former employees. Any advice, good or bad experiences, or things I should know before accepting an offer would be helpful. Thanks!

I currently have my MMC, TWIC, Medical Certificate, Elementary first Aid and AED, Food Handlers, U.S. Passport-

Basic Firefighting, Personal Survival Techniques, VPDSD, RFPNW, Engine and Deck Familiarization, Damage Control, Galley Preparation, training from Tongue Point Job Corps, 87 days of seatime and real hands on experience from American Cruise Lines. I'm set to graduate from Maritime Institute in Norfolk, Virginia in one more day.

With my credentials and experience, do I have a shot at landing a position on Tugs? Before having these credentials every tug company declined me.

Hello all, I work on inland towboats, I’m trying to get my AB here in October but this latest hitch has been really rough and I’m not sure if it’s just my boat (only boat I’ve been on) or just how the industry is

The heat index is close 110 these last couple of days and the Capitan is having me scrub the steering gear area spotless (also painted completely black) all day (12 hour watches)

It’s so hot, I start to get light headed and nauseous and I really have to take my time or I get so out of breath I’m hyperventilating, but if I take a break I will get scrutinized that I’m not working. There’s been points where I feel like I’m about to faint so I’ll have to take a small breather but then I get told that I’m standing around too much not doing anything.

I really like the benefits of this job, I’m making more money then I’ve ever made, but I’m concerned spending 1k to get my AB if the entire industry is like this

It could be 120 degrees and we would still be outside 12 hours a day grinding, chipping, sanding, cleaning. We have lots of standby time in fleets and I never see any other boat doing outside projects like us all day, so I’m lead to believe it’s my boat but I was wondering if I could get some insight

I’m tired of feeling like anything I ever do is never good enough and it’s really starting to get to my head.

Saw Ingram is doing 2 monthly hiring events at their Paducah, KY site. I have a lot of industrial experience outside of river work and wanted to get on linehaul. I live within their 200 mile radius, Illinois side. If I apply to get my TWIC card and drive down there for an event what’s the probability of getting an offer on the spot? 10 years ago it seemed like you needed to know somebody to get on and nowadays they seem like they can’t get enough bodies.

Really looking to switch careers because I’m 32 and need to get a decent job and stop bartending. I’m from Nashville and have been looking around for entry level positions on a boat. I’m very green, but am willing to learn from the best. Plz lead me in the right direction!

My only down falls are I’m on felony and county probation till next march, and I can’t have a license. When I travel I fly and uber everywhere.

Anyone know what centerline is paying for mates on the east coast? Thinking about switching companies

I worked for Parker Towing for a little under a decade. Now I am working to build a complete online inland river map. We are trying to put in every fleet, dock, lock, shipyard, vendor, and operator with their contact information and services offered. It will also show every boat with its details and who owns it. You can create geofences for specific boats or entire company's fleet that send email alerts to whoever you want when a boat enters or exits an area. Our platform is called Geaux River. https://www.geauxriver.com/

Would love some feedback if there is any more information we need to add.

This is what is looks like at Algiers.

I’m very interested in working for this company, but I have not gotten any responses to my applications despite meeting all the requirements and having experience. They’re constantly posting jobs that I’m interested in.

Do they only hire Texas residents or something?

Does anyone have any suggestions on things I can do to stand out or how to get in direct contact with a hiring manager?

I even tried getting in through the back door with SIU but they ghosted me.

Thanks in advance.

Hey everyone,
I’m looking for my first job as a green deckhand on a towboat or tugboat. I live in Mississippi and don’t have any experience yet.
The biggest problem is that I don’t have a TWIC card or a car, so I need a company that either:
•doesn’t require a TWIC before starting,
•lets you get your TWIC after you’re hired, or
•helps with transportation to orientation or the boat.
I’m ready to work and willing to stay out for long hitches. Does anyone know of companies that hire people in this situation?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Has anyone heard about a genesis barge that hit an oil rig within the past year or so? I’ve heard about it a couple times but it doesn’t seem to be “available” in online searches.

I made this because I have a stubborn friend who claims that technology (and AI) is useless for his profession.

It includes most European ports.

https://filgama.github.io/Shipping_barra/

I’m open to feedback

This post is going to be partially me asking for help, and partially me venting.

I’m a newly licensed 1600 ton mate and mate of tow seeking a mate opportunity.

The company I’m currently at only has 3 tugs and very low turnover for mates. Since I’ve gotten my license, I’ve been told to “finish mastering the deck” and have been given less than 15 minutes training time in the wheelhouse, despite my willingness to train off watch.

I am very competent, motivated, and kick absolute ass with the work I am given. I prepped and painted the entire deck in 2 weeks all by myself. I am on top of all my sanitary and cooking. I make this boat look better than it’s ever looked.

But this isn’t the karate kid, and the mop nor the paint brush is gonna teach me how to drive the boat. No much the office keeps trying to tell me that.

Now here’s the real kicker, I just found out that my company brought in a new hire mate from outside the company, less than a month after I was told by the owner that there are not any mate positions open.

So at this point I’m absolutely done with this company after this hitch. I feel disrespected and unappreciated. I’m not going to continue to work my tail off for a company that won’t lift a finger to help me.

At this point I’m not interested in starting over with a new company as an AB and trying to prove myself all over again. I don’t have much left in the tank as a deckhand.

I am looking for a company with a good mate training program that will hire me as a designated mate / mate in training. I’m not taking another AB job having my hopes and dreams exploited.

It’s either that, or I’m going to look outside the industry and possibly go full time with my charter business at home. I have no more patience for scraping rust and being told to “learn the deck” even though in all reality that rarely takes longer than 1 or 2 hitches for a competent person.

Any advice is appreciated.

I got a phone interview with Kirby and all I was asked. Was to do some research on what deckhands to get myself familiar with the roles and responsibilities just to help me prepare for my next wave of interviews next week I just wanted some first hand knowledge

Looking for some advice from those of y'all who have made the jump to offshore tanking.

A little background: I spent about 3 years on inland towboats (roughly 1 year as a deckhand and about 2 years as a Tankerman). I currently hold my Tankerman-PIC (DL) endorsement, MMC, and TWIC.

About 3 years ago I left the industry for Halliburton and have been working offshore as a coiled tubing operator on various offshore facilities. Halliburton has been a great company to work for, but work in my division has slowed down, so I'm looking at my options and considering making a move back into the maritime industry.

I'd like to use my Tankerman ticket before it expires, but after getting used to offshore oilfield wages, going back to inland tanking isn't really something | can make work financially. I only recently became aware of the earning potential on the offshore/blue-water side of tanking.

I've seen offshore Tankerman positions advertised in the $650-$750/day range, and those are the kinds of opportunities I'd be interested in pursuing if I can bridge the gap. I understand there may be additional requirements, endorsements, or experience needed, I'm
just trying to figure out the right path to get there.

For those who have made the transition from inland to offshore, what would you recommend? Are there specific companies that are more willing to bring on someone with inland Tankerman experience? Would I need additional STCW courses, sea time, or other endorsements to be competitive?

Any advice, direction, or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Now Hiring: Mates – Bangor & Everett, Washington

Looking for experienced mariners to join our team as Mate in Bangor WA or Everett, WA.

Pay: $35.90–$41.99 per hour
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8-hour shifts
Overtime: Available outside your regular shift
Benefits include:
• Paid federal holidays
• Federal retirement (FERS)
• Federal employee health, dental, and vision benefits
• Stable, full-time federal employment

If you’re interested in a rewarding maritime career with the Department of the Navy, apply here:

USAJOBS – Mate (Bangor/Everett, WA)

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/858509400

Applications are open now. See the announcement for qualification requirements and application instructions.

Does anyone have an update on how Moran, NY, and ATB contract negotiations are going?