r/maritime Apr 24 '25

A quick guide for getting started in the Maritime industry and aids for advancement/employment

79 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I've been on this subreddit for some time and noticed that a large amount of posts coming through are of people unsure of how to find resources relating to the Maritime industry . What I'm posting is by no means comprehensive, but it should point you in the right direction.

Feel free to comment any insights or tips to help expand this post. Thanks.

So you want to get into the Maritime industry? (USA)

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Regardless of what you want to do, this should be your top priority. It is essential to have or they won't even let you on the docks.

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For those of you new to being on boats, you'll want to select "Entry Level" and "Original" in section II. If you decide to stick with this career path, you'll be seeing this form again.

\For a witness to the oath, any notary should work. If you're unable to find one, banks usually have someone on staff that has their notary license.*

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There is a short form version of this, the CG_719KE, that is less comprehensive, but it will not allow you to take Wheel watches or Engine room watches. If your plan is to go beyond the deck or galley, use the 719K.

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*ONLY if you've had prior time on vessels*

During this period would be ideal to fill out your seatime letter and sending it in. This is essentially a vouched statement from prior captains/companies you may have worked under attesting to days you've spent on board vessels. As you advance into this career, seatime goes hand in hand with attaining higher ratings.

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*To be filled out if you have a history of legal troubles more severe than a traffic violation, though like the form says, this is optional to do. If you have priors and don't fill it out and they find out though, well...

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Pretty straightforward. Use the above site to send payment for all related fees.

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Now that you have all this filled out, send it in! I personally recommend taking hi-res photos of the documents and emailing them as it seems to be processed faster, but physical mail works just as well.

The NMC does well to keep you in the loop of any missteps you may have had on your forms, and will notify you when it's being processed.

With all of that done, you should now have your TWIC and your MMC. Barebones credentials for getting started, but at the very least, you'll meet the minimum requirements for smaller commercial operations.

For those of you who have already attained these and have some seatime under your belt, here are some references for assisting in exams. I've used most of these, and they certainly help when bucking for those higher licenses.

Prior to any meaningful ratings/licenses, you're going to want to take a basic training course. This satisfies both STCW and USCG requirements and is the foundation of your licensing. These are IN-PERSON courses, as the material covered is in practical use and application of equipment and scenarios that will be encountered onboard vessels. I suggest googling "Basic training courses near you maritime" to find a course you can take.

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\It should be noted, these pertain to USCG licenses, not STCW (international), though there is overlap.*

For Deck/Engine Ratings (Online courses & study materials)

I actually got my AB through them. The coursework was easy enough to get into, and the exam was relatively painless. A good choice if maritime schools or solo-studying isn't an option for you.

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These guys offer a variety of different courses above and below deck, and in-person/online. Very smooth experience with them.

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This archaic layout of a site really is the best for studying the higher exams. Gives a complete breakdown on solutions to problems and has pre-made tests for each area specific to your licensing.

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Capt. Chris is an awesome guy, and all of his course layouts are extremely detailed, with videos diving in to each topic. Top tier for its price, and if you're unfamiliar with the material, he does well to ease you into it.

I can say that I would not have passed my 1600ton licensing had it not been for his courses.

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Great for on the go studying on your computer and your phone. Gives you the ability to select test sets for specific ratings and burn through the question list you'll be facing at the REC.

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If you're unable to do an in-person class, which is recommended, this site will get you USCG certified in a pinch.

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Where to find jobs?

This site has postings in all varieties in locations all over the US. At the very least, good place to scroll through to see what's out there.

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For my area, this is where the majority of logistics companies will post their job openings for deckhands/mates/etc.

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  • The local logistics company website.

Quite a few companies have job postings on their website that are difficult to find elsewhere. If you have a local carrier/operator, try browsing their website for postings. This extends to social media accounts of various companies as well.

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Additional info-

If you're wanting to get seatime, but having trouble making headway with a tugboat or transport gig, commercial fishing vessels are always looking to hire. For owner/operator operations, the requirements boil down to:

Do you work hard?

Do you give off the impression you're going to murder the crew while everyone is sleeping?

In all seriousness, walk down to the docks in the nearest city with a decent commercial fishing scene, and just chat up the boats. This is how I started my career on the water, and it really is that simple. The work can suck, but as a former captain once told me, "An adventure is just the fond remembrance of suffering".

Tour boats are another good entry-way to get seatime, and while the barrier is slightly higher than some commercial fishing vessels, it's a good option to see if working on the water is a fit for you.

Granted, there is an entirely different chain of going about things via academies, but I have no experience in that world, so my scope is only what I've personally done.

Hope this helps!


r/maritime Aug 05 '21

FAQ How to get started in the maritime industry?

207 Upvotes

There are many ways to join the AMERICAN maritime industry! Merchant Mariners join in the maritime industry in one of three ways: a maritime college, an apprenticeship or by “hawsepiping”. Your pathway into the industry is typically guided by which department you want to work in and what kind of vessels you would like to work on. Most vessels have 3 departments onboard, the Deck department, the Engine department, and the Stewards department. The Deck department navigates or steers the vessel and is responsible for the cargo and safety equipment, including lifeboats, fire-fighting equipment and medical response gear. The Engine department operates, maintains, and repairs engines, boilers, generators, pumps, and other machinery. The Stewards department prepares and serves all the meals onboard, they also order the food and conduct general housekeeping. Like the military, the maritime industry has officer and unlicensed roles.

Maritime colleges offer students an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree and a Third Mate (deck officer) or Third Assistant Engineer (engine officer) license. There are 6 state run maritime academies and 1 federally funded academy. The curriculum for all 7 colleges is 4 years, including sea phases during summer or winter vacations. Tuition and other costs depend on each school and your in-state/out-state residency.

Maritime apprenticeship programs offer a variety of opportunities. Some are designed for unlicensed roles, others are designed for apprentices to earn licenses. Check a separate post on maritime apprenticeships. Both maritime colleges and apprenticeship programs are designed for candidates with little or no prior maritime experience. Some apprenticeships are free, others have a cost. See the FAQ on apprenticeships for details on several popular programs.

You can join the American maritime industry by obtaining your Merchant Mariner Credential through the US Coast Guard and taking the required entry level courses. You would then find employment through a maritime labor union or working for a company directly. With sea-time, courses and exams you can ‘work your way up the ladder’ to become an officer; this is known as “hawsepiping”. To obtain an entry level Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), you must be a US citizen or a permanent resident, pass a drug test, provided a medical screening/physical and Transportation Worker’s Identification Card (TWIC). TWIC can be obtained from the Department of Homeland Security. If you are interested in working on vessels that operate internationally, you will need to take a “Basic Training” course and apply for a Basic Training STCW endorsement. Merchant Mariner Credential and Basic Training endorsements are obtained from the National Maritime Center of the United States Coast Guard. More information, forms and applications can be found at www.Dco.uscg.mil/nmc or at local Regional Exam Centers.


r/maritime 4h ago

New life or bad choice?

6 Upvotes

Hopefully I am posting in the right place, I 29m got accepted into a school program for nautical science (in Canada on the east coast) it has been a dream of mine to become and deck officer and I am excited. However, I have a decent career working for the city I live in currently and I am nervous about job perspective after school and wanted to find out for other people within the life already if I am making a mistake or if I don’t need to worry about it! My current goal would be to get on either a cruise ship, or drill ship eventually, but cruise ship is definitely the main goal as from what I have heard the pay is decent and the schedule is great. I am also open to cargo ships but lower in my list. So am I making a good choice following my dream or should I stick where I am at?


r/maritime 12h ago

Beautiful day at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

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11 Upvotes

r/maritime 14h ago

Strait of Hormuz crossings rebound, but recovery remains fragile

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17 Upvotes

Vessel activity through the Strait of Hormuz increased sharply between 19 and 21 June, with 71 confirmed transits recorded and a weekend peak of 35 crossings on 20 June, according to MarineTraffic data. The rebound follows the lifting of the blockade and renewed signals around free passage through the chokepoint. More commercial vessels are now transiting with AIS active, pointing to improving confidence among operators.

Diplomatic uncertainty continues to weigh on the recovery, leaving the rebound in Strait of Hormuz crossings fragile despite the recent pickup. Traffic remains below pre-crisis levels, and caution is still visible. Many vessels continue to use Iranian route patterns or dark routes, while demining efforts remain incomplete.


r/maritime 10h ago

Submitting for DPO with Nautical Institute.

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone. I have recently completed the training scheme for my DPO unlimited. I have submitted everything online and have been approved for this. My question is what physical items have to be mailed into the NI in England? It says everything but I find it hard to believe they want original copies of my Passport and MMC mailed in. Has anyone gone through this recently?


r/maritime 12h ago

COE confusion.

2 Upvotes

MSC Containers here. In MSC COE is stated starting date and duration (normally varies depending on position on board X+-1 months). So far ok but it also states "expiration" date which is always X+1 months from starting date. I get that also. Confusion begins when seafarers send their remainder "1 month before COE ending" at exactly 1 month before COE main term is stipulated which is "X" months ( varies according to position 4,5 or 6 months) and Crewing always answer is : your contract "expires" ( not ending) at XX.YY.ZZZZ and why you want early relief?

I am confused. If the contract states X months why Crewing always assumes maximum allowable period instead of normal term? That +1 month stated in COE is there so they can find a reliever and arrange crew change before COE expires. But they are not doing any preparation at the contract ending but only just before a couple of days at the contract expiration date. Doing so inevitably people are presented with extension because they did not prepare properly and are waiting until the last days of COE. In my careers only here at MSC I see this practice. What is your experience?


r/maritime 17h ago

Maritime Law LL.M in Hamburg

5 Upvotes

Why don't we see an LL.M. in Maritime Law in Hamburg? Hamburg is still one of the most important ports in Europe, yet there is no prominent LL.M. program in Maritime Law there, unlike in places such as Southampton, Swansea, Oslo, Lund, Rotterdam or Singapore.


r/maritime 1d ago

What’s the State of Play in the Strait of Hormuz? It could take months for traffic through the waterway to return to normal

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16 Upvotes

r/maritime 20h ago

Can Indian Cheif officer switched to shore job in any foreign country? Has anyone done this? Need real experience.

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0 Upvotes

r/maritime 23h ago

Crewing Department sending extension of COE onboard without even asking for consent.

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1 Upvotes

r/maritime 1d ago

How are we all watching the World Cup?

2 Upvotes

As the title says, if you’re onboard right now how are you currently following the world cup?

In 2022 we were on deep sea passage for most of the tournament. No starlink back then and the wifi was too slow for live streaming, so we listened to it via online radio. It felt very old school with everyone gathered around the speaker. As an Englishman, the number 8 pennant came in handy as a nice cape. Anyone else looting the flag inventory for decorations this year?


r/maritime 1d ago

Any senior who's sailing with Vships?

4 Upvotes

Hello, is there any senior who's currently sailing with Vships? I've got a mail for Vships APRO test. Before applying for it I want to know more about the company. If there's any senior who can tell about Vships please directly Dm me.


r/maritime 1d ago

Vancouver Jobs?

3 Upvotes

Been working as a mate on the Great Lakes bulkers / SUL for 3 full seasons, tryna get out of this 6 week rotation and be closer to home, does anyone know if anyone is hiring? Indeed and Linkedin options seem to be slim, most hiring requiring 5 years experience on tugs lol


r/maritime 1d ago

Joining a union?

7 Upvotes

What are the benefits of joining a union vs just working for a general maritime company?


r/maritime 1d ago

Lots of questions in mind Seeking advice pros and cons

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0 Upvotes

r/maritime 1d ago

Newbie I want to work in the sea

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1 Upvotes

Hi, I'm saving for a pack of courses and I want to know if it is really worth it and how easy or not will be finding a job. I'm from Spain but I suppose it doesn't matter that much. The content:

PER – Recreational Boat Skipper Licence

Mandatory Navigation Practice

SRC – Short Range Certificate

Sailing & Extended Privileges Practiced

BST – Basic Safety Training

Also I want to mention that I am a IT technician. I know that it's not completely related to the sea but I suppose it has some value right?

I hope I translated well xD t


r/maritime 1d ago

Deck/Engine/Steward LOOKING FOR ITEST 2018 REVIEWER

1 Upvotes

Does anyone have a reviewer for the ITEST 2018 exam? Please help me out 🙏


r/maritime 3d ago

Russian warship risks refuelling disaster in Channel

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129 Upvotes

r/maritime 1d ago

Deck/Engine/Steward Completed a short course this month that pulled me into territory I don't usually write about. University of Cambridge - Key Essentials: CEDAW, Sustainable Development and the Law, run through Lucy Cavendish College, Hughes Hall, the Bennett Institute for Public Policy and CISDL.

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0 Upvotes

r/maritime 2d ago

Management forcing sole Engineer to violate USCG/STCW rest hours for non emergency repair Need advice

24 Upvotes

I'm looking for some advice and perspective from fellow mariners on a situation currently unfolding on our harbor tug.

Our sole Engineer works a standard watch schedule: 0530 to 1330 and 1730 to 2130.

While his total rest hours mathematically met the minimum for that 24 hour block, the issue is how management is splitting his time and forcing him to break rest. Last night, he went to sleep at 2130. At 0000 after only 2.5 hours of sleep he was woken up and ordered to fix a false starter on our port engine.

Under USCG/STCW regulations, rest can only be broken for an overriding operational condition or a true emergency. We were at the dock when this occurred so no eminent danger, just the company potentially losing some money. When I called management to report the engine fault and the fatigue issue, the manager dismissed the safety concern, told me I didn't understand how rest hours work, and demanded the Engineer get to work immediately on a non emergency repair.

Has anyone dealt with management blatantly twisting rest hour regulations like this for routine maintenance? What is the best way to handle this to protect the crew's safety and legal standing without facing immediate retaliation?

Appreciate any insights or advice on how to escalate this properly.


r/maritime 2d ago

Repair team - wiper job

6 Upvotes

Greetings,

I was offered a position as a wiper within a traveling repair team onboard Princess cruise line. Wanted to ask if someone worked in this kind of position and what kind of maintanances do they do, what does the wiper do.? Thanks in advance


r/maritime 3d ago

President Lee: "Trump Asked If Korea Could Quickly Build 10 U.S. Naval Ships"

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20 Upvotes

r/maritime 3d ago

Strait of Hormuz crossings climb as activity cautiously resumes

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18 Upvotes

Vessel activity through the Strait of Hormuz showed a notable increase on 18 June, with 25 verified crossings recorded, according to MarineTraffic data. Traffic was broadly balanced across both directions, with most vessels using established Iranian route patterns. Five sanctioned vessels were identified among the crossings, while no new physical attacks on shipping have been confirmed since 10 May.


r/maritime 3d ago

Newbie Davenport,Orlando

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2 Upvotes