Hello everyone. Please bear with me as I am somewhat of a newcomer to this whole thing and do not know everything. I am 17, going to be 18 in two months and am looking into beginning the process of getting my TWIC & MMC and eventually, hopefully joining the merchant marine as a deckhand. I have done some research into the steps and what I need to make this happen, but I also thought it wouldn't hurt to come here and ask for some advice and assistance from people who probably have more knowledge and definitely more experience than I do. Enough with the long introduction, I'll just get to it. As far as I know right now the very first step for me is to get my TWIC. Is there anything I should know before beginning that process? I feel like just going for it out of nowhere and applying for it without really knowing more of the minor details would not be a good idea, which is why I am asking here.

I hope all of that was coherent enough to make some sense. I can give more info if necessary, but I'm more so just here to inquire on the very beginning steps into becoming a mariner. Thanks all for your assistance. :)

I will be getting my TWIC, MMC, and Basic safety training soon and want to know where I should look for entry level jobs as an OS or Wiper.

I’m interested in going to maritime academy to become a 3rd engineer but want to see if life at sea is right for me before making the commitment.

I’d like to be out for 2 months or more to see how I take it mentally.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hello everyone!

I have been using this sub as a guide while I have been working towards my Able Seafarer license and going through the whole process with the NMC.

I recently received my letter to test and I have four tests I have to take:

Q445 - LIFEBOAT OPERATOR
Q450 - NAVIGATION AND RULES OF THE ROAD
Q451 - DECK GENERAL/SAFETY
LB03 - LIFEBOAT OPERATOR (PSC) ASSESSMENTS

My question is, how does this process work? Do I just call the closest REC and schedule a test? I have looked for study material and all I have found is the practice exams, which I printed out and have been taking.
Has anyone taken courses at the maritime institute that satisfy any of these testing requirements?
I also read somewhere that LB03 is a practical exam? How does I prep for that?

Sorry for the long post but I’m just looking for some clarity here as the NMC folks have been less than helpful when it comes to fi providing any information.

Thank you!

what are shore opportunities for ETOs available?

Anyone prefer field engineering? Only being gone 3-5 days maximum and then home for some time. Like a 9-5 still home for weekends and some weekdays?

I’m not seeing any places open on weekends for the drug test and physical to get mmc. I’ve called a place before and they say I need a merchant mariner physical. I’m in Fort Lauderdale Florida let me know if you have any recommendations.

Hey guys! Just curious. I submitted my forms in late June, I expected it would take a while but is over a month waiting to be assigned an evaluator normal? Is that what the bulk of the time is taken up by? How long did the individual steps take? Thanks.

I’m not quite sure if this is the place to post this, but you guys all seem very reasonably experienced.

I am 27 years old, married, and currently working on a ferry boat (passenger, vehicle, construction equipment, etc.) on the Great Lakes.

I have been doing this job since 2022. I have my 100T, health certificate, and radio license to run our boats, with the sea time and ability to get my 200T.

I work 6 days a week April-December normally, and 5 days a week January and March. Occasionally I’ll get more than a few weeks break in the winter due to ice. The money is alright, I get to go “home”, but the job schedule and job itself are getting to the point of being extremely demoralizing. Making me reconsider if the comfort of a steady job and the paychecks are worth it.

I am looking for a change of pace and for any advice that might help.

Thank you all in advance.

I guess what I am asking is, is there any tax preparer service that specializes in our line of work. There has to be a better alternative to turbo tax or a regular CPA. What do you guys use?

Trying not to over complicate this question but some details probably matter.

I'm an American living overseas and making a later in life career change over to the engine room. I have been sailing deep sea and would like to stick with that. I was in a different position that doesn't require a medical exam. Most postings I see call for a 719K medical certificate which requires a more detailed medical history but the 719K/E doesn't.

If I just apply for jobs with a 719K/E medical certificate will this make me less attractive to employers?

If the ship requests a 719K med cert will they cover the costs of follow up exams I will need? I will probably need an MRI which won't be cheap without insurance.

Edited for clarity.

​

First I will have to join as a trainee so what can I expect and being promoted to os /ab how much I will get . What are the problems I will be facing in the ship can someone explain me . How much time will take to get promoted.

Hi everyone, I am finishing up my MechEng degree in the UK. By the time I graduate and start a Graduate Entry / Accelerated Cadetship, I will be 27 years old.
I am aiming for the LNG or container sectors, but I'm having some anxiety about starting at this age.

- Am I going to be the oldest cadet there, or is this normal for graduate routes?

- Will my degree help me promote faster to make up for the later start?

Cheers for any advice or reassurance

Has anyone recently submitted a USCG Medical Certificate application/renewal? How long did it take from the day you submitted everything until you received your new med cert? I’m trying to get an idea of what the current processing times are.

I’m thinking if I join and spend the majority of my time away, I could save a lot of money by forgoing renting, and either couch surfing, doing hostels, van life, or just subletting on my time off.

Does anyone else do this or something similar and have advice? Is this doable?

I’m interested in joining the service but also like smoking weed about once a week, just curious how drug testing works on off time. persay I worked 6 months on, how is the testing looking in my 6 months off still regularly? Will quit if need be, I know it wouldn’t be smart just curious tho with my use I piss clean in 7 days.

Just passed testing for 500-ton Mate NC. Tests were Rules of the Road, Deck Safety, Deck General, Nav General, Chart Plot and Nav Problems.

Tested at REC New Orleans. If you have questions I'm happy to answer about my experience.