Tankerman Career Questions

I worked for SGS, but not as a tankerman. However I worked with tankermen all the time, so here goes -

This is not a typical job for college grads. It really has no upward career mobility. You basically monitor the loading and discharge of barges, operating the pump engine, compartment valving and for toxic cargos, the air return lines. A cargo transfer operations typically takes from six to twenty hours per barge and you may be responsible for multiple barges transferring at the same time.

You are also responsible for safety and environmental monitoring. Which means carrying big fire extinguishers to the barge dock.

The hours are tough as this work goes on 24-7. So you can forget about weekends, holidays, anniversaries, etc. You are also exposed to the weather as you may not leave the uncovered barge deck during cargo transfer operations.

If you travel with a tow, you will be living on the boat for weeks at a time and tow crews are not the most convivial company around.

If you want to get into oil and gas with a college degree, keep applying for office jobs in the sector, look at becoming a landman (handling royalties) or if you're hooked on working on the River, get a job as a petroleum inspector. SGS also hires inspectors and has offices everywhere. But whatever you do, don't pay $12k for any school. The big towing companies will train you OTJ and you can later study the USCG materials to take the test.

Thanks

Very insightful. So I guess my next question is :
What basic ceritifications, courses, endorsements whatever should I try and pursue to strengthen myself as a candidate in the O & G industry? Are there cheap classes that make a world of difference in how my resume looks?

I have applied for many entry level jobs offshore,onshore,office. Not much luck. FWIW I am willing to go offshore for the experience in order to move up.

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no one wants to hire college grads to work offshore, they know you will want to move up quickly.

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I can def see that perspective. I'm not trying to feel entitled to anything. I'd like to move up quickly, yes, but relative to what I'm doing. I don't expect it to happen overnight.

What company do you work for Whiz, if you don't mind me asking. And does it currently have similar opportunities to what's been talked about in here?

Yes. We are always hiring. Deckhand turnover is pretty standard in the industry. Seriously consider the fact that you will be away from home for about 240 days out of the year. Tankerman make around $245/day and wheelmen make around $475/day. Those are rough starting pay estimates. Deckhands don't make much; which should be incentive to bust arse and move on up. If you really feel like this is something you want to pursue, then go to www.blessey.com and fill out an online application. Great company, still private, excellent equipment, and wonderful employees.

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XII. Entergy Expenditure:

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BTW, not sure how much it matters, but I found this typo in the description of Deckhand on Blessey's site

Although I dont work as a tankerman,I work at a Dock facility in B.R. It seems like a tough business (Elements,Hours,Hazards of the job,etc). Not something I would recommend as it seems like it has a significant turnover and I think the pay is marginal at best.

For anyone else that was keeping tabs or interested in this "Marine Services" field...

I found this list someone had put together of companies in the area. Pretty informative
LINK

Besides being a mate or captain type position, what other advancement opportunities come from being a deckhand on something such as an offshore crew boat or supply vessel? Do people quickly move out of a deckhand position?

Also, will companies hire a deckhand without USCG credentials? and how does one obtain them once working if so?