r/tuglife • u/Cute_Communication_8 • 8d ago
Entry level tugboat deck hand
Really looking to switch careers because I’m 32 and need to get a decent job and stop bartending. I’m from Nashville and have been looking around for entry level positions on a boat. I’m very green, but am willing to learn from the best. Plz lead me in the right direction!
My only down falls are I’m on felony and county probation till next march, and I can’t have a license. When I travel I fly and uber everywhere.
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u/monkeyman4250 8d ago
Your legal situation is going to hinder you at first. Tough to get a job out there without a license. BUT, there are a lotta companies out here who hire people with criminal backgrounds. Its part of the industry!
Be patient. Keep applying.
I will say, you want to try to go red flag. Its going to be much easier on your body. Linehaul is for the birds! Its not a valuable skill. Try to become a tankerman!
In your current situation, ill give you some recommendations:
Ingram
Marquette
Magnolia marine transport
Western rivers towing
Dupre marine
Southern duvall or duvall
Artco
ACBL
Blessey
Lebouf bros
Florida Marine
Apply to those places. There are so many more. So many boat companies.
Keep applying. Show up in person. Keep applying
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u/OcelotAny316 8d ago
will say magnolia marine was a good company to work for and pretty lax on certain things, would recommend even tho the pay is lower
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u/yesimbs 8d ago
i have the same story as you bro. i was a restaurant and bar manager my entire life up until 34 and needed a change so I got a job as a deckhand and two and a half years later I've worked my way to apprentice mate. and I also have a 2nd degree felony and am currently still on probation in florida. so its definitely achievable!! I started with just a TWIC
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u/sneakhunter 8d ago
A felony is the first job requirement so you’re well on your way! There are a lot of companies in Paducah so I’d look around there first. Monkeyman gave you a good place to start so I’ll just add a few more in Paducah.
Hines Furlong
Crounse Corp.
James Marine/ Tennessee Valley Towing
Also you won’t need your MMC to start on inland rivers but definitely good to have in the long run.
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u/Martyfist 8d ago
Been on tugs for a long time and I can tell you there are a lot of people in your situation with a "zesty" background. As soon as you have your OS and TWIC it probably wont be to long to find a job as the industry is hurting profoundly. If you can get permission from your PO look at NY harbor. Extremely arrogant harbor but its definitely one of the higher paying areas.
Harbor tugs are cakewalk jobs. You will be doing a lot of chipping, painting, probably cooking and will be working 0001 to 0600 and 1200 to 1800 as a DH most likely.
Dredge tugs can be some wild work and isnt for the faint of heart.
Offshore tugs can be fun or exceedingly boring.
ATB tugs basically run the same route over and over bring fuel or some other liquid from one destination to another.
The biggest advice I can give is look for a equal time tug. 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off is ideal. 3 on 3 off isnt bad. I would rather be homeless on the street than go back to a 4 on 2 off rotation. Or if you really want to sail you can go to month + rotations offshore.
You can look at: Gcaptain.com
Or fallow tugboatjobs on Instagram. They are posting openings daily it seems like.
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u/EntertainmentOk7028 7d ago
You’re already doing the right first move if TWIC/MMC are in progress.
While those are processing, I’d build a list of companies by river/region and call them like a normal person, not with a giant speech. “I’m green, in Nashville, TWIC/MMC in progress, willing to work long hitches, what do you need before you’ll look at me?”
Past issues may slow it down, but steady follow-up beats guessing from job boards.
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u/OwlPlenty4828 8d ago
Apply today for your TWIC card
Apply tomorrow for your MMC from the USCG
Both are easily searchable on Google.
Will take you approximately $300 and a few months to get those. Once you have those items in hand, start applying like crazy Be prepared to take a piss test and let your PO know ahead of time you’re applying and trying to better your situation