Looking for a career in transportation with good pay, incredible job security, free room and board and a chance to “sea” the world? Check out the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Though the U.S. is heavily dependent on overseas imports, most of the big container ships and tankers serving our ports are not American. But under federal law, any shipping between U.S. ports must be on vessels owned, built, flagged and staffed with U.S. crews.
Although there are only about 200 U.S. vessels that meet those “Jones Act” criteria, they all need crews. So how do you break in to this biz? There are two routes:
Going to school: Locally we have two Maritime Academies: one operated by the State University of New York is in the Bronx, under the Throgs Neck Bridge. There’s also the prestigious federal Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point NY and similar four-year schools in Maine, Massachusetts and California. You’ll graduate with a bachelor’s degree ready to serve at sea starting at the level of third mate.
Hawsepiping: This is the harder way to get aboard. You start basically as an apprentice (ordinary seaman) for 365 days at sea doing things like cleaning toilets and literally “learning the ropes.” Then you take a Coast Guard exam and after another 180 days service you become an Able Seaman.
After another year you take a test for your Mate’s license. Then you can “touch the mahogany,” using the tiller on the bridge to steer the vessel, always under guidance of a captain. You then work as a mate...
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