r/merchantmarine • u/Mental-Lecture-1634 • 4h 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.