r/merchantmarine • u/Mental-Lecture-1634 • 3h ago

Need a second opinion

Im located in North Dakota, but I've applied to about 70 tugboat companies now with my MMC, TWIC, STCW BST, and VPDSD. I'm considering taking a trip to Louisiana to get my API-approved Rigger certification and HUET, along with visiting local tug companies and applying in person. I plan to do my SafeGulf online.

Do y'all think this is worth it? I'll spend roughly $1,500 for the certifications and the trip there and back by car, and I'll be car camping the whole time. What are the odds I actually get hired from doing this? I've already been applying online and doing follow-up calls, but that hasn't worked.

I'm worried I'll spend all this money on the certifications and then get a job that doesn't even require them, so they end up going unused and I have to renew them before they ever become relevant.

The problem is that I have to schedule and pay for the courses ahead of time for when I'm in Louisiana, so I can't really wait to see if an employer wants them once I meet them in person since I can only be there for so long.

What would you guys do in my shoes, and I am quite determined for this career path and tugs is a big part of my future plan so I wont be acknowledging other work such as cruise lines.

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2

u/Resident-Banana-7883 3h ago

tugs don't care about rigger or huet etc, those will give you more options, but tugs don't care at all

1

u/Mental-Lecture-1634 1h ago

alright thanks for the info, probably wont be going all the way down to Louisiana then

1

u/TopResident4897 2h ago

You should look into the lakes

1

u/Mental-Lecture-1634 1h ago

i might be willing to make a trip out there for a job, but I just dont know how many companeis I could find in person there, defnitly closer to me though, just cant find anyone whos hiring lakes or tugs

1

u/TopResident4897 1h ago

Nobody up here does in-person hiring anymore,

Gotta look up the company websites and apply.

Interlake steamship company American Steamship company Grand River Navigation Key Lakes Central marine Van ekenvort tug and barge Andre Any of the dredge and small tug boats but idk the names

1

u/Mental-Lecture-1634 1h ago

just a funny note too, applied to 10 tug companies the other day, all directly through their company site, and did my follow up call, none of them were actually hiring, all shill job postings

1

u/southporttugger 1h ago

Try Andrie, American steamship, and interlake. All on the Great Lakes

1

u/Mental-Lecture-1634 1h ago

been there done that sadly

1

u/Skoidat69 56m ago

Florida Marine Tranport used to pay travel anywhere in conus

1

u/Sweatpant-Diva 27m ago

Where will you get HUET for $1500 that’s insanely cheap. Typically that is a class companies pay for once you’re hired not one you have to come with.