The Merchant Marine Express

In the Merchant Marine Industry, there are cyclical periods where work is bountiful, and the union halls are busy with assigning jobs.

On the other extreme, there may be times when shipping jobs may be reduced for one reason or another and the lack of sea jobs may hurt just as much as if it were a shoreside job.

As a cadet, the evident stories from Instructors of their experiences with assigned work, and the lack thereof, during certain periods, in time did exist! In the years of the Vietnam War; just preceding Carter’s short reign of presidency, shipping was good. Then the spiral downward of maritime related work,in the mid eighties, and the withdrawal of the much needed appropriation of funds towards subsidies for shipbuilding, made for a bleak outlook for the maritime industry. One might presume that the reason for this would be the focus on the Cold War. But it would last for a good dozen years before the curse would lift by the mid-to-late nineties.
I had graduated the Maritime Academy in California in the beginning of a new Millennium, and the economy seemed strong, the strongest in over a decade. Most of the graduating classes in the recent years before me, had tons of jobs offered at their disposal. And most all of the cadets already knew what field of work, within the maritime industry, they were planning on settling into as prospective employers came in droves, onto academy grounds for interviews.In fact, our academy was touted of having a one-hundred percent placement success rate
This was no different for my Class of “00″ as most of us had more than one interview we’ve made arrangements to prepare. In March, just a mere month before graduation ceremonies would set us on our way into the endless reaches of any horizon we’ve ever seen, those interviews would be conducted, and employer’s decisions being assessed. But, similar to a verdict in a courtroom, a decision would need to be determined in a precipitous manner. In a short while, WE would soon be Officers in a professional setting.
Nonetheless, I ended up accepting a job with a government contract, one that would place me aboard ‘ocean research vessels’ destined to assist the Navy with all aspects of research! And it must have warranted a reward, in return, as the union would waive the four-thousand dollar initiation fee if I continued with the contract for a period of five years.
That being said, fast-forward six years later. Although I’ve received a vested accreditation with the union, and now considered a full book member in good standings..the economy has taken a turn for the worse. No longer are the lucrative positions available aboard some of the vessels that were just previously assigned missions to travel around the world, assisting the military in their various tasks.
Due, in part, to the recent economy and possible other factors that have funneled money away from the shipping jobs, now many of these ships are layed up and sitting in Ready Operational Status (ROS) but with a reduced crew. These crew members are only for the continued maintenance of such hulks that rest idle, in a deep sleep on a proverbial waterbed. And too, many mariners who were suddenly displaced from those jobs they once thought was a ‘permanent’ position and had no certain goals to fall back on…are now frantically searching for sea going work that has reduced from the previous glut of ships.
Not only has the economy affected land based jobs, but the seas aren’t the safe haven, many of us mariners have sought, for refuge, as once believed.
This is why in recent past, I’ve diversified my vital training to include the experience of oil tankers and commercial contracts. I also have tested for Second Mate after having been a Third Mate for a comfortable six years. In addition,the endorsement (read: bonus) I received by obtaining a 1600 ton Masters License after taking a seventy-question multiple question exam..would further establish credentials enabling me to work in a wider spectrum of Maritime related jobs. With this Master’s License of 1600 tons, allowing me to work aboard ships of that tonnage limit, at a position as far up the ladder as Captain.
You see, even in an era of uncertainty and limited prospects, one can seek other roads to success. Just taking that risk may set your course for smooth sailings!
Have a good day!

Tags: Michigan – Home Port