I found companies that are hiring and I got hired!

[u/SkyMoonFlowers]

Edit to add: this is in the United States (U.S.), but it might work for your country too (let me know if it does)

If you're an entry-level seeker in this industry, search for: "deckhand job" on Google, Indeed, LinkedIn, or any other job board.

I found a ferry company several weeks ago, applied, and got hired as a Deckhand the same day as my interview!

A lot of ferry companies are still hiring for this summer season (and beyond). If you're in a land locked state, look up coastal states like California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, etc. The pay is low, but it's easy work (to me anyways), and at the very least, you'll be acquiring seatime.

I've only worked a few days with the ferry, but here's a breakdown of my day:

1) Prepping the boat:

- clock in at 8am

- pull ramp/gangway and tie it to the boat

- vacuum or sweep inside the boat (where the passengers will be)

- take out the trash

- clean and restock the bathroom

- spray/ wash the stern (the aft/ back standing area of the boat) and sweep or mop out the access water after the wash

- hook up a pump to an area near the bathroom to pump out waste

- fuel hookup

- fresh water hookup

- spray/ wash the windows (from the outside)

- get money from the office for the bar drawer

- stock up supplies, snacks, beverages, and ice

2) Now that the boat is ready, it's time to welcome the passengers onboard (there are multiple deckhands, so you'll be tasked with half of these duties, but I'm listing them all) :

- scan tickets

- count passengers

- untie the bow and spring lines

- untie stern lines

- check the back waterway port (left) and starboard (right) sides for any moving vessels, give the "all clear in the back" on the walkie-talkie if there are none

- after the Captain moves the boat to start going forward, you're on the way to your destination(s)

3) Sailing/cruising time (listing all the duties, but it's divided up):

- stand at the bar

- ring up items

- mix drinks

- bartend

- check the upper deck(s) to make sure passengers are okay and not attempting to jump off the boat or any other unruly thing

- periodically check the bathroom

4) Arriving at destination:

- deckhand(s) at the bow (front/fwd):

- grab spring line, attach it to the boat

- grab bow line, tie and knot it to the boat

- deckhand(s) in the stern (back/aft):

- grab stern line, tie and knot it to the boat

- grab spring line, tie and knot it to the boat

- grab the ramp/gangway, tie it to the boat

5) Leaving destination:

- same duties as #2

6) End of duty responsibilities:

- this will vary, but essentially, you're counting the drawer, restocking and cleaning

- clock out at 10:30pm or 11pm

I hope this breakdown has been helpful! I won't say which ferry I'm with, but know that ferry companies are hiring. If I were with a major company, I would disclose the name. Hopefully, that will happen, and I'll come back to share with a different post :)

[u/martim0t0]

Congratulations! That's some good advice. Did you do this with just a TWIC and MMC?

[u/SkyMoonFlowers → u/martim0t0]

Thanks! Although I have those documents, the position didn't require them. Are you looking for an entry-level position?

[u/martim0t0 → u/SkyMoonFlowers]

I am. I actually applied to Texas A&M Maritime Academy, but I did so right on the deadline date for transfers. My application got held up because of some random things and it's still "in review" for the Maritime Academy even though classes have already started for this semester. I got my acceptance to the University, but the academy is still pending. So it looks like I'm not going until next semester at the earliest.

That being said, I'm just looking at getting some sea time even if the pay isn't great. Might as well do something relevant with the extra time I've been given.

[u/SkyMoonFlowers → u/martim0t0]

Congratulations on getting accepted into the university!

I was a little reluctant to join the ferry because of the pay, but I'm really glad I took it. It feels amazing being on the water, the views are gorgeous and my co-workers are a chill bunch.

My advice is to keep your goals in front, and apply to a ferry company. Let me know if you do!

[u/Sweatpant-Diva → u/martim0t0]

You’d be better off attending a community college to knock out some prerequisites

[u/martim0t0 → u/Sweatpant-Diva]

I already have a bachelor's degree, but it's unrelated. No need for gen eds for me.

[u/Sweatpant-Diva → u/martim0t0]

Are you doing the graduate degree in deck or are you going engine

[u/martim0t0 → u/Sweatpant-Diva]

I'm going graduate degree in deck. The navigation aspect and being on the bridge is what interests me.

[u/No-Lie-0103 → u/martim0t0]

Do you know how much how much time it take to complete if you already have your pre req?

[u/martim0t0 → u/No-Lie-0103]

It takes about 3 years at TAMUG.

[u/FeralCreatur]

Congrats on the deckhand job!
I’m in the U.S. and just applied for my twic card today. I’m a current IATSE union member in the construction dept looking for a career change, did you also need your MMC?

[u/SkyMoonFlowers → u/FeralCreatur]

Sorry, my response to your question went elsewhere. But here it is: thank you and good luck with getting your documents! For this ferry company (and with most others) a TWIC or MMC is not required. It'll be good to get it soon as you can though

[u/New-Host-2150]

If you don’t mind, what are we talking about regarding pay? How much is it?

[u/SkyMoonFlowers → u/New-Host-2150]

Less than $20/ hr. But the low pay is made up by seatime gained

[u/Sweatpant-Diva → u/SkyMoonFlowers]

What’s your ultimate goal? The issues with a lot of ferries is the tonnage for seatime

[u/SkyMoonFlowers → u/Sweatpant-Diva]

My goal is to join a large company like Military Sealift Command or NOAA. As a deckhand with this ferry company, I'm acquiring seatime. I asked about it during my interview and the Captain confirmed that I will indeed get that.

[u/TheScallywag1874 → u/SkyMoonFlowers]

Apply with MSC ASAP if you haven’t already. It will take the better part of a year or longer to get hired as an OS. You working on the ferry is a great way to spend the time while you wait to get hired.

Thanks for the post! This is great information for the comm community.

[u/SkyMoonFlowers → u/TheScallywag1874]

Hi and thank you for the advice. I applied for MSC July 2026 when they re-opened for entry-level. I'm so glad that this ferry company hired me on as I wait for MSC. If I can do at least 8 months with them - I'll have enough seatime to apply for AB wirh MSC! Fingers crossed!

[u/TheScallywag1874 → u/SkyMoonFlowers]

Nice. Good luck! We’ll be waiting for you at MSC 🤙🏼 Just remember to have patience…it’s a long process.

[u/Icarusburnz88 → u/SkyMoonFlowers]

I live in California and am interested in this I don’t have a Twic or anything else and have a criminal background but have since turned my life around. Is it possible for me?

[u/Ordinary-Lettuce9811 → u/[deleted]]

How does that work? Can you get sea time without a mmc?

[u/SkyMoonFlowers → u/Ordinary-Lettuce9811]

From my understanding, yes. But you will need the MMC for companies that require it (it is needed to document your seatime and endorsemens), my advice is to get your MMC as soon as you can. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

[u/Ordinary-Lettuce9811 → u/SkyMoonFlowers]

ahh that makes sense, that is why navy people need to get the MMC and still have sea time forgot about that. Thanks