WORKING ON A CONTAINER SHIP | LIFE AS A MERCHANT MARINER

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 พ.ค. 2021
  • From the end of 2019 to the beginning of 2020 I spent 77 days working on a container ship as a watch standing AB.
    #Containership #merchantmariner #siu
    Desert City by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
    Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
    Artist: incompetech.com/
    Jalandhar by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
    Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
    Artist: incompetech.com/
    Sailors Lament by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
    Artist: audionautix.com/
    INSTAGRAM:
    / franta.joe

ความคิดเห็น • 2.8K

  • @twimine
    @twimine ปีที่แล้ว +3379

    I like how he said “something about a virus - I am sure it is nothing - lol”

    • @jiggscasey1874
      @jiggscasey1874 ปีที่แล้ว +433

      It was nothing

    • @Spyke-lz2hl
      @Spyke-lz2hl ปีที่แล้ว +140

      I remember thinking the same thing back then. Man oh man…

    • @Spyke-lz2hl
      @Spyke-lz2hl ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@lilbigmoney9148 Except over a million people have died, but whatever, I guess none of them were close to you so you don’t care. Cool.

    • @stephanromeo684
      @stephanromeo684 ปีที่แล้ว +155

      I lost a couple friends to it 😪

    • @stateradio115
      @stateradio115 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@jiggscasey1874 Whether or not you believe the virus was a hoax, it is retarded to say it was "nothing" when all the world's economies slowed down, entire countries were locked down, and million of people (some with preconditions albeit) died.

  • @b-man1232
    @b-man1232 ปีที่แล้ว +2385

    This is why I love TH-cam!!! I have never been on a cargo ship, probably never will...but, I can still live vicariously through you! So damn cool

    • @scottgibson6735
      @scottgibson6735 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      I went on a cargo ship from Jacksonville.to Guatemala I was listed as super cargo.
      Super cargo,is basically the cargo owners representative.
      The cargo included 52 British sports cars that my father,and another investor had boughtThere was a representative for the other buyer to.we had the run of the ship,and bridge.The crew was mostly Filipino.The captain,and officers were
      German,but they all spoke good English.The Captains wife was onboard.She was hot,and knew itShe liked sunbathing in a little bikini, that really wasn't worth the effort,since it didn't really.cover anything.she was easy to talk to on most subjects.She worshipped her husband,and wouldn't . Thank you for the vhear anything bad about him

    • @Randallsixx13
      @Randallsixx13 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I agree!

    • @JOovshak82
      @JOovshak82 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      Right!!!! I like watching people riding trains across the U.S. Can't afford it so I'll just travel through someone else 🍺🤘🧀

    • @supahfly_uk
      @supahfly_uk ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Well said, It's why I watch people in wing suits or flying jets lol.

    • @jasmith1867
      @jasmith1867 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Living vicariously sums up most of my youtube experiences.

  • @Art930
    @Art930 หลายเดือนก่อน +23

    Female senior citizen here. Wish when I was a young woman that I would have had the opportunity to do a job like this. The most adventure offered was being a teacher or secretary. Thanks for posting these videos - I get to live vicariously.

  • @xcheyx
    @xcheyx 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +126

    As a person who moves the containers in and out of ports/ramps, your hard work does not go unnoticed! We appreciate y’all ❤ without you we can’t do what we do

  • @mikestone9129
    @mikestone9129 ปีที่แล้ว +456

    Interesting video. Before I went in the army I was in the Navy. Something about be at sea, miles from land, especially at night that makes you feel small and insignificant. It can be so peaceful one minute, and horrifying the next. Loved it.

    • @EinundzwanzigPanzer
      @EinundzwanzigPanzer ปีที่แล้ว +3

      What did you do in the navy and what did/do you do in the army, and why did you switch?

    • @jasonmoyer9492
      @jasonmoyer9492 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Lol, I was a Cav Scout for 8 years in the army then went merchant marine. I come from a navy family to. I was born on a navy base in rota Spain. But I enjoyed being out on the ocean. I've never seen so many beautiful sunrises or sunsets or the red moon. Don't see that on land

    • @cvgodd1432
      @cvgodd1432 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      So true, the ocean is like a big monster than can be beautiful and scary af at the same time. I just think how many people lost their lives in these oceans and what mystical creatures are at the bottom.

    • @762gunr
      @762gunr ปีที่แล้ว +1

      *Army *navy.........prick.

    • @lilacscentedfushias1852
      @lilacscentedfushias1852 ปีที่แล้ว

      Mike I have a friend who did that

  • @michaelorfanos7416
    @michaelorfanos7416 ปีที่แล้ว +139

    My father was doing the same job, from Greece and jumped ship in New Orleans. He met my mother in Mass, also Greek and joined the army and served. Elvis was in his platoon. My father didn't know who he was. They were in Germany together. I asked him if he ever spoke to Elvis and he said yea but didn't like his music because he only listened to Greek music. He also said he was better looking than him, LOL!!!

    • @KerryOConnor1
      @KerryOConnor1 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      underrated comment here folks

    • @chemoboy-dannypheleps9234
      @chemoboy-dannypheleps9234 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      gosh dang

    • @michaelorfanos7416
      @michaelorfanos7416 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      @@chemoboy-dannypheleps9234 It's all true, They also went to Korea for a short time but no fighting.
      I was born when he came home.
      He also told me about when he was 10 years old and in Greece during WW2 living on the island of Skopelos. It is not far from Athens. He said he sat on the rocks by the sea and watched the German ships trying to sink Greek subs. When he saw oil the people got ready to save the Greek sailors and they saved many. He also said that the normal Germans under occupation were very nice and all were alerted if a Nazi was coming.
      My dad said that he hated the Nazi but the normal Germans or later Italians were all very friendly.
      My Grandfather was part of the underground but mostly stole wepons to blow up in the water to stun fish so they could all survive.
      My Dad still has a scare on his face from being slapped be an SS officer for not leading his horse on a path to the upper village. We say MONO PATHY in Greek. History is wonderful and we should all be wise to not allow our freedoms to be taken away again.

    • @JS-hp1ow
      @JS-hp1ow ปีที่แล้ว +3

      How did he smell? Apparently he was a really smelly guy.

    • @straycat1081
      @straycat1081 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      While stationed in Germany in the '90s, I had a haircut by a barber who claimed to have cut Elvis' hair. I believe Elvis was stationed at Ray Barracks in Friedberg, GE.

  • @nicevideomancanada
    @nicevideomancanada ปีที่แล้ว +130

    I often imagine being shipwrecked on a deserted island with 24,000 Containers full of stuff. One could write an on going t.v. series where the castaways open up some more containers every episode and find interesting stuff they can use on their island paradise

    • @MahiTanMazy
      @MahiTanMazy ปีที่แล้ว +7

      That's a good idea tbh

    • @davesynth3860
      @davesynth3860 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Play the game Stranded Deep-you’ll make that a reality.

    • @nelliesfarm8473
      @nelliesfarm8473 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Sounds good to me ..except I'd like my dogs with me too 😂

    • @nicevideomancanada
      @nicevideomancanada 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Ok, you can come with your dogs too. ;-) there will probably be lots of dog food on board. @@nelliesfarm8473

    • @user-vf6oq4tu4p
      @user-vf6oq4tu4p 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      How much can you make a month on that job?

  • @MidtownSun
    @MidtownSun 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +29

    Dude. Not just the production-value, but the individual shots .. the editing and how you pieced your story together with the visuals…. SOMEONE needs to convince you to do this full-time!

    • @MidtownSun
      @MidtownSun 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I have a direct link to the merchant marine life (Mass Maritime,Maine Maritime, Kings Point, etc) and the pride you guys have in what you do; how the general public has no clue what it takes to keep an engine room running across the Atlantic. But your skills in visual storytelling need to be utilized off the boat, my friend. As much as I enjoyed seeing this and all of the work you put into it (it shows), I want to see you use these talents outside the bridge. You’ve got the talent - use it!

    • @JoeFranta
      @JoeFranta  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I appreciate that!

  • @Phoenixesper1
    @Phoenixesper1 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    "Happy 2020 everyone"
    If only he had known....he'd never have gotten off that ship! LOL

  • @torbenlarsen331
    @torbenlarsen331 ปีที่แล้ว +356

    I guess I was lucky to work as engineer on a bulk carrier in the seventies. I worked for the Danish company Torm Lines. I remember how we always spent at least 4 to five days in the same place. In the South of Italy close to Pompey we stayed for two weeks, so I rented a car and drove to Pompey and also Naples. We sailed for orders allover, not like a container ship which sails constantly on the same destinations.
    I have sailed from Constanza in the Black Sea to Salvador in Brazil and of course la Plata River too, not to mention all ports on the US east from coast Corpus Christi to Duluth.
    In Europe from Narvik, Norway to Italy.
    As officer I had signed a contract which meant 12 months on board and then 10 weeks vacation with salary and pocket money. It was such a great experience.

    • @joeskis
      @joeskis ปีที่แล้ว +7

      you've been to the great lake they call Gitche Gumee?

    • @torbenlarsen331
      @torbenlarsen331 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@joeskis I have been to Thunder Bay, in December. I think we were the last ship to leave Thunder Bay, because they had already begun to remove the seamarks. It was very cold when we came to Chicago with lots of snow.
      But some years before I hitched hiked across Canada from Montreal to Vancouver. On the way back I jumped a CP train and a RCMP saw it but he couldn't catch-up with my spinning legs. I did 800 miles with that train.

    • @torbenlarsen331
      @torbenlarsen331 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @Endofstory you're right, we were very lucky. I later worked for the Ministry for Environmental Protection here in Denmark 🇩🇰, where I had a fleet of smaller vessels to taken care of.

    • @torbenlarsen331
      @torbenlarsen331 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@KISSHOOTERS6969 you can contact Maersk Lines they have their own education system.

    • @paleamigo8575
      @paleamigo8575 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      That sounds awesome! Congratulations on a rewarding career.💯

  • @FishGalleon
    @FishGalleon 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    What did 77 days pay give you?

  • @NorthPaddle
    @NorthPaddle 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +28

    I live in Alaska, where virtually everything gets here on container ships. I see them every day at the port but it was great to see a little insight from a guy doing the job. Thanks for posting. 👍🏻

  • @SWExplore
    @SWExplore ปีที่แล้ว +210

    Yep, Joe, I know that I'll never likely be on a container ship, but you brought us along, and for that I am grateful!

  • @BruceMilpitas
    @BruceMilpitas ปีที่แล้ว +90

    I worked on a container ship in 1985-1986 for 12 months. Loved the experience. I got to passed the Suez Canal 12 times. Unfortunately we didn’t have TH-cam or digital cameras at the time. Your video brought back lots of memories. Thx.

    • @crishnaholmes7730
      @crishnaholmes7730 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Do you miss it

    • @BruceMilpitas
      @BruceMilpitas 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@crishnaholmes7730 Very much.

    • @crishnaholmes7730
      @crishnaholmes7730 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@BruceMilpitas ok

  • @Dandarez073
    @Dandarez073 ปีที่แล้ว +108

    One of my biggest regrets in life is not going to the maritime academy after high school, I went to the open day, but ended up choosing not to go because I didn't feel like moving to Vlissingen at that time.
    This just makes me feel the itch again... I'm 36 and work on a farm now, but I guess it's never too late to switch it up.

    • @JoeFranta
      @JoeFranta  ปีที่แล้ว +48

      For sure Dan, I switched careers at 31. Never too old brother

    • @xmzru
      @xmzru ปีที่แล้ว +5

      don't give up on your dreams! I believe in you sir!

    • @OmmerSyssel
      @OmmerSyssel 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Unless you have specific technical qualifications, it's pretty much upwards career change. Majority of basic jobs are long taken by cheap Asian and Eastern European sailors.
      Even on Officer level occupations are becoming scarce...
      Ask around among Ship agencies with a good reputation. If you can afford the break, hope for the best and try it

    • @xmzru
      @xmzru 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@OmmerSyssel Should I still pursue this career? I just graduated high school (I'm in the us) and was planning to go to a maritime academy to be a deck officer. what you said is giving me second thoughts...

    • @charleneparis6695
      @charleneparis6695 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

      It's never too late!! 2 weeks before my 38th birthday, I started work on an inland chemical tanker (and I'm a female, Scottish Expat, mother of 2 nearly adult teens. I've been living in NL for 13 years) I'm doing BBL opleiding to become Helmsman. Currently enroute from Antwerp to Frankfurt ⚓️ I've worked in Radio, been self employed, worked in communications and did HBO social work opleiding before I stepped into this world. I sometimes still can't believe I'm doing this 😂 we work 1 week on 1 week off and it's a great way of life...Follow your dreams 👌🙏⚓️

  • @armorhide406
    @armorhide406 ปีที่แล้ว +107

    Everyone always thanks navy sailors. What we do is not nearly as important as what a container ship does. Thank you for your service

    • @johannsebastianbach9003
      @johannsebastianbach9003 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Large oiler tankers keeps the Military on the Run💪🏻💪🏻

  • @carolinehoward180
    @carolinehoward180 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    My dad was a Master Mariner and Captain in the Merchant Navy for many many years. He did this trip down the Suez lots of times. He later went on to be a World renowned Ship Surveyor and I spent a lot of my early childhood on board cargo ships just like that. I loved the smell! There is nothing like it! I’m sad he’s not here anymore to ask about all his travels. Great upload. Thanks 🙏

  • @dereksuddreth8672
    @dereksuddreth8672 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    Great Video! A lot of the work you do I did myself as a Seaman/Petty Officer on two US Navy Knox class Frigates during my 4 year enlistment from 1977 - 1981. Standing watch (3 sections at sea), chipping, painting and cleaning were the order of the day. Seems like I never got enough sleep! We were stationed off the coast of Iran in the Gulf of Oman during the Hostage Crisis. We briefly visited (with no Liberty Call) Mogadishu, Somalia to deliver documents (years before the downing of the US Army Blackhawk). Soviet warships tailed us into and around the Black Sea (and we sailed alone). Now things are heating up again between the Russians and the USA. It seems like the Cold War never ended... I did see 20 different Ports of Call, some great Liberty (Subic Bay, Philippines and Pattaya Beach, Thailand were my favorites), and some not so great (Istanbul, Turkey and Columbo, Sri Lanka). It was a great experience for a young American. Things were much cheaper in the Far East and people were friendlier to Americans in the Pacific nations, probably due to the Japanese occupation during WWII. They did not forget their Liberators. I did a lot of 'growing up' back then. I recommend every young person try it, either in the Military or as a Civilian Seaman.

  • @jayfloramusic
    @jayfloramusic 23 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    One of my school friends I grew up with got bad grades in high school and ended up getting into Mechanical Engineering, I got into Electronics. I got a nice office job. He got Merchant shipping spending months away from gf. Used to feel bad for them. But finally he got promoted so now he also sits in an office and others are doing the merchant trips. Very happy for them! They just bought a home and had a kid. Great to have father home at all the time.

  • @peterdixon7975
    @peterdixon7975 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I was 3/Off on SeaLand Charger. Great Ships.
    Am Captain now. These videos really give an insight into life at sea. Good job Joe.

  • @Hawaii96720
    @Hawaii96720 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    incredible stuff! Living in Hawaii I do appreciate the immense effort it takes to ship anything and everything overseas via container ships.

  • @nemo227
    @nemo227 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    What a great experience, an experience that relatively few people have and that most of us can't fully understand. I met a merchant marine back around 1956 but I was too young to ask him questions the way I would today.

  • @TheBatugan77
    @TheBatugan77 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I worked as a Navy bean on two USNS ships. Those civilian mariners were a trip. Enjoyed the hell out of them. Many were veterans or even retired military. Good eggs.

  • @MrBillagordon
    @MrBillagordon ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks for posting! I was a Merchant Marine from '91 to '96. Deck Dept. O.S. first run bulk carrier Operation desert Storm. Did almost the same run as you across the Atlantic to Saudi Arabia.
    After that went to the west coast did the oil tanker runs to Alaska up and down that coast.
    Best run though was a Sea-land Container ship I worked in the Caribbean. They call it the Crescent run. New York, Jacksonville, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, New Orleans.
    If you ever have a chance to do the Crescent Run do it!!

  • @johnkane1898
    @johnkane1898 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Loved watching this video. Never went to sea due to defective color vision. My Dad that passed away last year went to sea at 16, went from an AB to becoming master. Then his last 25 years was as a Harbour pilot in Belfast Northern Ireland. I have a real passion for anything maritime.

  • @charlieboutin3341
    @charlieboutin3341 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Awesome video! Took me back to working on a Mississippi river barge for 2 months in 1984 when I was 22. Alamo Barge Lines, the Molly Anne. Chipping rust with a needle gun then painting, scraping wood and lacquering, and mopping the decks of diesel oil from the exhaust..Lots of that! Absolutely right about tightening ropes and cables to secure being the most dangerous part. The weight involved would pop them like a string sometimes and sound like shotguns going off..stay out of the way! Started in Baton Rouge and went upriver to Chicago, then back down to Texas. I was ready to get off in Corpus Christi (my home state), but am really glad I did it. Something I’ll never forget. Hope life finds my shipmates Spanky and Cowboy safe and well. Thank you very much for posting this video. God bless mate! 👍👍👌✌️🇺🇸

  • @tryingtolearnthis
    @tryingtolearnthis ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Made that trip a couple of times but it was mostly under the water. The Suez Canal we had to transit surfaced but was one of the best experiences of my life.

  • @Aviator27J
    @Aviator27J ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Some of us just have the inner nomad on the outside. The innate human need to explore and move. I've never served on a seafaring vessel like this but the idea has definitely occurred to me. I'm an aviation guy and always have been. I travel the world by air, but getting around the globe in numerous means interests me! Spaceflight like in Star Trek would be fantastic, riding the rails all over the world, taking ships and boats, etc. I'm still waiting for my opportunity to work in Antarctica too! I'd enjoy something like this if I didn't have a family (and a career I love), but enjoy it for those of us who think it looks like fun!

  • @debbiesims138
    @debbiesims138 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    this is why I love TH-cam. you get to see things you never thought you wanted to.

  • @ronniechilds2002
    @ronniechilds2002 ปีที่แล้ว +106

    Thank you for that, sir. I envy your sense of curiosity and adventure, and your courage to satisfy them. Seeing life on a ship from your unique perspective was damned interesting. Nice editing, too, good pace.

  • @jamesraymond1158
    @jamesraymond1158 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Interesting. Reminds me of working on a Norwegian freighter from Brooklyn to Naples via Tenerife in July 1963 when I was 16. They didn't have container ships back them, everything was loaded and unloaded in small loads from the hold. I worked on chipping paint and polishing in the engine room. One of the high points was breakfast, where the chef would cook anything I asked for. I even had my own cabin.

  • @jarrettvalentine6777
    @jarrettvalentine6777 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    The Baltimore bridge collision brought me here.

  • @heruammen8522
    @heruammen8522 ปีที่แล้ว +46

    I had an opportunity to become a merchant marine back in '76. I did the TWIC and MMC qualifications and was a month from starting my apprenticeship. I ended up receiving a small college scholarship and decided to go in that direction. I followed logic instead of my heart and passed on the opportunity to see the world while learning an important craft. This video showed me what I missed out on.

    • @creoleDJ
      @creoleDJ ปีที่แล้ว

      Sounds fishy…the TWIC policy wasn’t enacted until after the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001….🤨

    • @alexmay1217
      @alexmay1217 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      I don't think u missed much... being in the navy
      .. ur port stops are short and restricted... ur better off just making good money and traveling on ur own dime....

    • @joebidet2050
      @joebidet2050 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      The twic wasn't required until 2009

    • @tapiwamudumo3194
      @tapiwamudumo3194 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I am from Zimbabwe and would love to become a sailor 1 day

    • @joebidet2050
      @joebidet2050 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@tapiwamudumo3194 go to Britain

  • @frankaxiak1959
    @frankaxiak1959 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed my time in the Merchant Marine in the late 90s.

  • @mkdy218
    @mkdy218 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Every so often you get an absolute gem of a video on YT. This is one of them. Thanks Joe Franta.

  • @willm6705
    @willm6705 28 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    sweet !! i sailed out of NY harbor on a WWII C-3 freighter summer of 1965, age 16/17, earning $$ for college. adventured down the E. coast then to S. Africa and E. Africa and back. earned a lot more than summer camp counselors. :)

  • @_Angelo569
    @_Angelo569 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    Joe, I know its a year too late but thank you so much for this video! It was awesome to see what it was like on a container ship! Take care!

  • @nowherefast9786
    @nowherefast9786 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Another great job brother. Keep em coming.

  • @squatchpnw2331
    @squatchpnw2331 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I'm a truck driver and I'm on the road for 30 to 60 days at a time so I find this very interesting, sounds like something I could do well.

  • @laurenfrancis-talley215
    @laurenfrancis-talley215 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This was so fascinating! Looking back on this, I know you were probably grateful for those short port stays and that you didn't go into the Pacific!

  • @dbenadon
    @dbenadon ปีที่แล้ว +30

    This was fantastic! Thank you for sharing an experience most of us would never have.

  • @C00LWhip
    @C00LWhip ปีที่แล้ว +13

    What a great life experience. I admire what you had accomplished. Ive always had the attraction to the Sea.

  • @annettehadley9718
    @annettehadley9718 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    My husband Chris was a navigation officer in the Merchant Navy, and hes forever telling me stories of where he went and what he got up to.
    unfortunately I never knew him then but I do have a lovely photograph of him in his white uniform on the wing of the bridge sailing under the Sydney harbour bridge !

  • @josephhabedank7984
    @josephhabedank7984 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Cool video. I was my units super cargo NCO my first deployment to Iraq in 03. We borded in Beaumont, TX and went around the coast to savannah, GA. Then we went across the Atlantic and through the Suez canal and up to Kuwait. I never that much exotic seafood in my life. Was amazing going through storms with boat rocking and seeing the merchant marines climbing all over our helo.s trying to keep the plastic covering on them from blowing off in the storm.

  • @tomskid27
    @tomskid27 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Bro, Joey. I’m still binge watching all your videos. They’re calming man and gives me a sense of peace. I just retired from 26yrs in the Navy. I guess that the reason. Watch out for the sea. She’s always callin’ ya back.

  • @svanablak
    @svanablak ปีที่แล้ว +5

    i remember aquiring my MMD back in '07. but by then procedures and processes were changed due to 911. subsequent requirements were added and it was expensive! i considered it but i was already working and i was getting older and concluded that at the time it wasn't in the cards for me! your post was awesome and it allowed me to reflect on could've been!👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

  • @chemicle
    @chemicle 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Loved it - wondered what it would be like on container ship. Now I know - thank you for sharing your journey.

  • @glennvanzuylen3582
    @glennvanzuylen3582 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video . What an adventure!!

  • @MrMomoitin
    @MrMomoitin ปีที่แล้ว +52

    I've got to do something with my life. I was considering working freight rail transport but this also sounds awesome

    • @CMDR.Gonzo.von.Richthofen
      @CMDR.Gonzo.von.Richthofen ปีที่แล้ว +17

      I've done both, currently a Mate on the Mississippi river. The ten years that I spent as a freight conductor were the worst years of my life. Maritime is BY FAR a better deal than rail.

    • @TheWefikus
      @TheWefikus ปีที่แล้ว

      Try banging your head against the wall

    • @begley09
      @begley09 ปีที่แล้ว

      Can always work intermodal at a rail yard.

    • @stephensmith4480
      @stephensmith4480 ปีที่แล้ว

      I have worked in the Rail Freight industry for 32 years. It`s like most things, there are times when it`s not so good but thankfully, there are far more good times and I have worked with some great guys.

    • @CMDR.Gonzo.von.Richthofen
      @CMDR.Gonzo.von.Richthofen ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@stephensmith4480 yeah, as an old head with tons of seniority and retirement in the near future, I'm sure it's great. I would almost guarantee that 90% of railroaders would tell a new hire to stay away. Class 1s are CONSISTENTLY listed as the worst companies to work for in the US. Worse than dollar general on most lists. That's BAD. Sure, the potential for good money is there-if you make it through the years of being furloughed all the time, and either starving on an extra board, or having so little time at home that your family falls apart. I have seen these things countless times, and after 32 years, I KNOW you have too.
      The work/life balance is ATROCIOUS on the railroad. Gone for 2-3 days, home for 12 hours to sleep, grab clean socks, answer the caller, then on a train again. The really sinister thing is that the railroads could easily implement policies that would greatly increase quality of life, but they never will because of the adversarial nature of rail officers vs union members. Eight hour calls would not be that difficult to implement in 2022. That would be a life changer! Nope. You get an hour and a half, and you'd better answer or you're fired! Not to mention having to fight for all the things you're supposed to be paid for.
      With all of the options available in n 2022, freight rail would be my LAST recommendation for anyone looking for a career. Not to mention all of the automation in the industry. Engineers will be gone soon, conductors will be replaced by roving utility jobs, switch engines have been remote controlled for fifteen years.
      On the other hand, I work 28 days on my vessel, then I get 28 days off. I get paid on the 1st and 15th the same paycheck whether I'm at work or at home. My employer values my hard work, and I am rewarded for it. I move up based on hard work and initiative, rather than the date that I was hired on. This rewards good employees, instead of moving up lazy people because 'seniority' dictates, while hard workers carry their weight. Oh yeah, and they will NEVER be able to automate my job😁
      Nope. rail was hands down the worst job I've ever had, and maritime is the best move I've ever made.

  • @19irving
    @19irving ปีที่แล้ว +9

    This brings back great memories! I lived in Jersey City for 19 wonderful years. I loved to ride my bike to a park in Bayonne where I'd see these amazing ships going through with the tug boats. I found one of my favorite cats ever living in that park, a HUGE blue furred British Shorthair. May he rest in peace.

  • @JLBREMER
    @JLBREMER ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I’ve worked at a call center for 10 years (unfortunately) this type of job after that would feel like such a relief. Cool video man thanks for sharing !

  • @BradPaulus
    @BradPaulus 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My son has made that voyage numerous times as the Chief Mate and Captain of the Maersk Chicago, thanks for sharing.

  • @robertwalton7307
    @robertwalton7307 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Great story! Never have been to sea.Forty years ago worked unloading frozen Icelandic fish in Everett Ma. Really enjoy your ocean travels.

  • @AndyBankside
    @AndyBankside ปีที่แล้ว +22

    This just a perfect TH-cam video on so many levels. Simply brilliant!!!

    • @paleamigo8575
      @paleamigo8575 ปีที่แล้ว

      I totally agree!👍

    • @peterhamlinhamlin8908
      @peterhamlinhamlin8908 ปีที่แล้ว

      Containership was automation. Before
      this generation could imagine. We loaded 100 pound bags of coffee,cocoa,cotton individually onto
      the ship itself. Lotta dockeorkers. Replaced by trucks and cranes today.

  • @machiningtom9862
    @machiningtom9862 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very cool I used to work at a shipyard and did a lot of ship repair on freighters.

  • @johnleca792
    @johnleca792 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    My father was a merchant sailor on Liberty ships. He could splice ropes and even steel cable. I have his marlin spikes and he became an American citizen legally and was recognized by the US for his efforts during wartime. He would say he could get along with everyone and was always friendly and would offer help to anyone. He so enjoyed life and doing things. He was a great father. Godspeed to the Merchant Marine.

  • @stevestarr6395
    @stevestarr6395 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Ahhhh, brings back great memories of traveling the world in the MM and MSC!!

  • @DCJNewsMedia
    @DCJNewsMedia ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Just awesome, fun educational, and your a most excellent host brother.
    God-bless you and your family 👪 ❤️

  • @santabarbaratribe
    @santabarbaratribe ปีที่แล้ว +8

    It would’ve been nice to have gotten more of a tour of the ship and the rooms you guys stay in

  • @gwenyngruffydd
    @gwenyngruffydd 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Don’t know how this video came on my homepage but glad it did. Really interesting!!
    We import a lot so it was so good to see the journey these containers take.
    Keep up the good work 💪🏻💪🏻

  • @battle_promaster3631
    @battle_promaster3631 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Nice job on video. Definitely know what you mean about coming home. I did 8 years in the NAVY. Always looked forward to coming home.
    Great job!! 👍🏼

  • @justthemiller
    @justthemiller ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I work on credentialing mariners and I always find your line of work fascinating. Gives me a great idea of what you do when I am screening applicatIons.

  • @allyboy8
    @allyboy8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome, now I can say I’ve been on a container ship, thanks to you. 👍

  • @loricharpentier1654
    @loricharpentier1654 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You hit a lot of interesting ports and got to go through the Suez Canal. I'm glad the weather was good for you and that hopefully you enjoyed your time off. Stay safe!

  • @whatsreal7506
    @whatsreal7506 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Very well presented and interesting! Thank you so much for sharing! 👌👍

  • @GodsFavoriteBassPlyr
    @GodsFavoriteBassPlyr ปีที่แล้ว +5

    What a cool as hell adventure. Definitely something to tell someone else's grandchildren about!

  • @nord4338
    @nord4338 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thanks for giving us a glimpse of the lives of you guys that are at sea 24/7, transporting everything the rest of us use, the goods of a FREE MARKET economy. Well-done!

  • @sheronlee152
    @sheronlee152 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm an old texas Grammy just finding your videos. Very very interesting. You do a good job explaining things. I've enjoy several of your videos now. What a life!

  • @BOBD1052
    @BOBD1052 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Nice.
    Brings up memories. In the mid 70's I got my Z card & sailed
    with the NMU. OS, Wiper, Steward & lots of Stby AB jobs, mostly on tankers.
    Interesting times.

    • @JoeFranta
      @JoeFranta  ปีที่แล้ว

      Hell yea, nothing like it brother

  • @aaronwon6056
    @aaronwon6056 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Man this brings back memories.. i left shipping as second mate 6 years ago. Suez canal shots really bring back memories. Cheers mate.

  • @Reno777
    @Reno777 20 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Keep up the Great work Joe✅

  • @cyberknife82
    @cyberknife82 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome video!! Thank you for posting it!!

  • @imnotavingthat6813
    @imnotavingthat6813 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Brilliant to watch, i was on container ships for p&o for 5yrs and did many a trip following your footprints. Superb memories evoked. Cheers dude

    • @billsgui
      @billsgui ปีที่แล้ว

      How does someone stumble across such job?
      What requirement are needed for this type of job?

  • @dedrakuhn6103
    @dedrakuhn6103 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    A wonderful video, it's nice to see some of the jobs from our world's unsung heros

  • @davidskinner6765
    @davidskinner6765 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thankyou for sharing. Amazing. I admire people who go out and live there lives and experience what life can offer.

  • @raelexi
    @raelexi ปีที่แล้ว

    I instantly subscribed when I saw him fast forward through his own introduction speech. My kind of channel lol 😂
    Although I appreciate the sentiment and work TH-camrs put into the long intro’s of their videos, I often loose interest quick or fast forward it myself. So, thank you for being straight to the point and action!!

  • @jarodlee9474
    @jarodlee9474 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    you are living my dream. as paraplegic i could never do such an awesome job. please post more videos.

    • @jasmith1867
      @jasmith1867 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I'm an old man and will never be able to do these things either. But we get a glimpse of what it might be like in real life.

    • @COA319
      @COA319 ปีที่แล้ว

      👊🇰🇪🙏

  • @eastwindfl
    @eastwindfl ปีที่แล้ว +13

    nice content Joe. I ran pleasure yachts, mostly east coast and Caribbean then morphed into yacht sales. I enjoy your positive delivery mate!

  • @Hammertime054
    @Hammertime054 ปีที่แล้ว

    What a brilliant video 👍👍👍😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

  • @chitownbear7733
    @chitownbear7733 ปีที่แล้ว

    God bless you bro. You are a real American who works every day, even without overtime sometimes, to get the job done. This work is the backbone of our economy and you guys don’t get enough respect. Gratitude bro

  • @grizzlysteele3199
    @grizzlysteele3199 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Brings back memories of when I was a kid.
    My dad was a chief purser on container ships for ellerman line from the 60's to the 80's
    Used to spend my holidays on board the ships with my dad

    • @bluefamily3937
      @bluefamily3937 ปีที่แล้ว

      My dad bought and sold those freight containers and I've spent many hours cleaning them, painting, them and playing on the roofs! Many hours on the road tracking chassis and containers in all the ports on the east coast. Stacking the boxes with the cranes on the boat was real skill!

  • @UraniumBandit
    @UraniumBandit ปีที่แล้ว +25

    I've always wanted to see how work on one of these ships goes. Making me wanna be a merchant mariner more and more with every video of yours I watch!

    • @jasonmoyer9492
      @jasonmoyer9492 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      It's actually a cool job. I enjoyed it. I was a engineer though and not a AB or Bosun. I did good amount of welding and keeping engines running. Check gages and messing around with mills and lathes in the machine shop. I learned a lot of different skills and honestly it's not hard work. A few hours on a few hours off. The only time I've had any issues was if the captain or first officer was a jerk. But that was rare. At least for me.

    • @Nikkk6969
      @Nikkk6969 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@jasonmoyer9492 what’s the pay?

    • @aralmarpuc6886
      @aralmarpuc6886 ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@Nikkk6969 Pay does not worth it unless you're an officer or engineer.

    • @crishnaholmes7730
      @crishnaholmes7730 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@aralmarpuc6886do they get to save up though

  • @charlie9901
    @charlie9901 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Completely fascinating. Very enjoyable.

  • @wildbillanderson9100
    @wildbillanderson9100 ปีที่แล้ว

    VERY KOOL..... THAT WAS A GOOD WATCH

  • @stateradio115
    @stateradio115 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Great video. Has that old school youtube vibe. I hope you document more of your life!

  • @LordEradicus
    @LordEradicus ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I admit to knowing almost nothing about merchant mariners except that I've heard the term merchant marines a lot during my childhood (one my grandpa's friends was a merchant mariner during WW2). So this video was definitely an eye-opener. Thank you.

    • @buckodonnghaile4309
      @buckodonnghaile4309 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      My wife's granddaf was on a Corvette boat in the Canadian Navy in WW2 searching for U-boats in the North Atlantic. Interesting/terrifying time to be a merchant marine. They were a tough generation of kids.

    • @leonkarsten
      @leonkarsten ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@buckodonnghaile4309 Ah, that's nothing compared to the bad bully words that kids must suffer on social media these days.... 😆

    • @gabrielrousseau_NM
      @gabrielrousseau_NM ปีที่แล้ว

      I only read about them in novels where you could get enslaved on them. No one gonna ever know anything out there. Especially in foreign ports.

    • @wetmemedaddy5065
      @wetmemedaddy5065 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@leonkarsten soft boomer moment

  • @ronburg6914
    @ronburg6914 ปีที่แล้ว

    awesom video joe keep up the good work

  • @Shalayah15
    @Shalayah15 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow that was amazing this video is super cool I enjoyed it very much!! This is why I love watching yt you learn and find anything exciting on here :)

  • @Brangustx
    @Brangustx ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Fascinating! This could be the next reality show!

  • @CoIoneIPanic
    @CoIoneIPanic ปีที่แล้ว +4

    It's cool how these guys get different ships, different assignments different crews different ports. They can't get bored. But it's definitely a young man's game. I couldn't hack it for long. I'm 55 or 56.

    • @Diogenes-ty9yy
      @Diogenes-ty9yy ปีที่แล้ว

      There was an old commercial for the Army once, "It's not a job, it's an adventure." I never was in the Army, but being a commercial seaman certainly does look like an adventure. I'm almost 73 and I look at this and envy you, Joe, for the places you've seen and been. Great video.

    • @CoIoneIPanic
      @CoIoneIPanic ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Diogenes-ty9yy the best commercial for being a sailor is the Village People- In the Navy th-cam.com/video/nmGuy0jievs/w-d-xo.html

  • @anthonygratton422
    @anthonygratton422 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks for this video bro. This is actually the job I always wanted. I just never took the time to apply. You just got me looking it up now. Thanks . Keep up what your doing too. I'm sure it inspires a lot of people. Me being one of them .

  • @michael4962
    @michael4962 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow! What an experience!! Thanks for sharing.

  • @mr.skeptical3071
    @mr.skeptical3071 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Im a trucker and have been to ports several times....when you look up and see a container being lowered from a crane down onto you from way up high it's very intimidating!

  • @robertirvin927
    @robertirvin927 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Ahoy sailor! Thanks for the amazing videos!
    Safe travels fellow mariner

    • @JoeFranta
      @JoeFranta  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      thanks for watching!

  • @dancers10
    @dancers10 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for taking us along!

  • @raew5263
    @raew5263 ปีที่แล้ว

    Well done. Great vlog from on deck. It’s interesting to see where those ships go during their routes. 👍

  • @ileanapaniagua5161
    @ileanapaniagua5161 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Very interesting. Just went to the port of Long Beach and was wondering about the shipping containers and how they were transported.

  • @paulshepherd1348
    @paulshepherd1348 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    That was very interesting! Always wanted to do something like that.... just seems a great experience.

  • @thetruemusichead
    @thetruemusichead ปีที่แล้ว

    Really interesting video. Thanks for making it!!

  • @STV-H4H
    @STV-H4H หลายเดือนก่อน

    Cool flashback to my time at sea.
    I went from Seattle to (nearly in view, or not) Alaska, through the Aleutian Chain (once into port to drop off a dead body. A deceased inspector who was suspiciously found floating in a brine tank absurd a factory fishing boat owned by a Russian company that had partnerships with an American seafood company)
    Your 4 on and 4 off schedule is like mine, except I was 1 of a 9 man crew.
    Seeing the vibrator you were doing rust removal was the part that prompted my comment. Oh the hours spent with Earl and a couple of the other AB guys and occasionally the chief engineer would come to give us a pep talk saying how easy we had it in his time as an able bodied seaman he had a hand powered air compressor that burned coal and he was tasked with hauling coal himself and stoking the fires! I am making that up. He was a good friend of mine, that got me both the job in the first place as an electrician, and helped grandfather me in, writing those hours as sea time so I could start as an Oiler. Which made me slightly higher on a very short totem pole of seniority. I was ultimately still on the bottom.
    But the 6 voyages to Russia were really exciting. Back then, 1994 I believe, only a few American sailors had ever been there. They loved us Americans and I dug them.
    I tried to learn to swear in Russian, but since I was only ever with the Russian workers for a couple shifts weeks apart, I didn’t really memorize anything worthwhile. Besides, telling my friends at home to fukc
    off in Russian never had any impact. They didn’t know what I said. 😂