I was in the Navy way back in the day - I had looked at being a Merchant Marine and had a buddy that went in. I look at what you are pulling down and have a LOT of respect - you are making a Grip of cash! Good on you and keep it up!
For "no education" you pretty much made a killer presentation. Thank you, Dean!! I'm an ex-navy guy .... I thought when I was a kid, I thought I'd finish my 6-year hitch and then see if I could land a job as a merchant marine ..... I thought I might eventually qualify as an AB someday .... and go back to school to get my Radio license and maybe become a Radio Officer .... never worked out ... I stayed 20 years in the navy, but for you guys, I have major respect.. I hope your travels don't take you anywhere near those middle-east danger zones, Dean. Thanks again for a great presentation.
Biggest thing is not only did you make 42k you’re expenses while you were gone were low so you have most of that money. I always tell people this is one of the last careers that you can really make some money and set yourself up for the future. Even if you don’t want to sail for a long time. Sail 5 years, stack some cash, buy a house and pay it off, and invest. After 5 years you can go do whatever. Pay yourself first as they say. Skip the brand new 90k truck and bullshit materialistic stuff. Set yourself up for the future. I went to an Academy and then climbed the ranks. I highly recommend you get your mates license and start making even more $.
Absolutely. If I could give one piece of advice to young men. I can remember being young and thinking retirement is long, long way away. But trust me, it flies. It seems like I was 25 yesterday, I'm in my fifties today. Max your 401k contributions, and on top of that max out your Roth IRA every year. Don't get tricked into buying crap you don't need, don't buy an expensive truck, don't waste money on junk. Invest in yourself. Because trust me, when you hit your 50s you'll be glad you did.
Yes! While the other people you went to high school with are going 60k in debt for a worthless college degree then working for $15/hr at Starbucks and living with their parents! 😂
Deducting for home time, you are looking at about 100K a year. It doesnt seem like much but when you consider room and board is paid. Plus the vacation pay. The ability to save simply because there is no mall just down the road. Its great pay! I regret blowing off my grandmother when she mentioned it when i was young. Considering in just a few years you could pay cash for a house, work another 3 months and furnish the house and another 3 months for a new car. Its so much better than the trucking industry!!! Make it a careere, being wise with your money, you can retire with a few million!
And folks as he said.......no education........Oh that's right.....he didn't hear of all the lazy, no good rich folk kids who couldn't even tie their shoes at 24 unless mommy and daddy were not their to help so they undoubtedly find the tail of Biden's train to get the relief of university debt....
Can’t beat it at all! I’m glad I found your channel, Dean. Thank you for being transparent about money. As we know, it's a sensitive topic for many. I appreciate the rundown on what to expect as a merchant mariner. I recently applied for my MMC about a week ago and hope to get on a ship in the future. Keep up the great work.
My only advice... Max out your Roth 401K. Skip the traditional unless that is where the match is and only do what is required to get the match. Then, you want to do a Roth IRA (backdoor partially at you income level). Rock it.
ALWAYS get the match! (If the company offers a Roth 401k, put your contribution there. The company's match will be in a Traditional 401k.) Then Max out your Roth IRA. After maxing the Roth IRA, Max out your Roth 401k. Don't forget about the HSA if you're healthy enough for a high deductible insurance plan.
I graduated in 1976 and had my first 2nd Officer job in 1979....The Sea Land Producer, and was making 7000$ monthly. To put that in context I purchased a new MG in 76 for 3500
How is it that I never heard of this… the only time I ever heard of the merchant Marine was their bravery during World War II. Do you have to take test or examinations to qualify? And are they always looking for people or is there a waiting line to get in… I feel the need for some salt air!
@@REBELSCL Gotta get your STCWs and MMC through a coast guard approved facility if you go to the union they will have you take a very basic math and english test but they are always hiring
Nice and even better that you love what you do! My father was a first mate for 7 years in the Merchant Marines and told me so many stories of 2 week layovers in Africa and Holland. He loved it!
I worked Tugs, Fleet work on the Mississippi River and " Trip " loads. There was my Captain, and me. I was Engineer, Oiler, Head Stewart and Deckhand!! Absolutely LOVED that job!!
Watching your video brought me back to my Decking days! I totally relate to washing your ship, it was one of my duties. I worked a 14 - on, 7 day off schedule, and I lived on my boat, Miss Courtney, I found her a few years ago on ship traffic sight, but I looked the other day and couldn't find her. That job was one of the toughest, heaviest, scariest, dirtiest, best job that I ever worked. I left the electrical field for 2 years and worked on the river. Went back to electrical, and ended up wiring ships!! Hornbeck Offshore was the last.@@SailorDean4
I worked on a parcel tanker, mostly around Scandinavia and the Baltic. The regime was very generous with overtime and compensation for excess hours. The ship was in and out of port rapidly and we were tank cleaning non stop. It was actually possible to log more hours in one week than the 148 hours. Tank cleaning was rewarded with a bottle of Woods rum for the crew bar. When we left the Baltic for Rotterdam to refill the tanks, we had a party with free drinks. The food was top class with steaks and lobster every Saturday. Managed to buy a car with the earnings on that trip.
A lot of people outside the industry forget about the "extra wages" I call it. These "extra wages" are all the money one saves by being on a ship. No daily gas. No daily coffee/eating out. Food, room, & board is payed for by the Company. No daily road tolls, etc etc etc. I notice a lot of people forget to "add it all up too". Lets use these numbers rounded off for easy math. You made (before tax) $40,000 in 4 months. That is $10,000 per month. Let's say you want to work 8 months of the year. 8 months of the year worked = $80,000 Let's not forget about your vacation pay Vac pay (using the numbers you said in vid) for 8 months = $20,000. Total pay for 8 months = $100,000. This number looks totally different after adding the vacation pay. Don't forget during these 8 months, we weren't ordering pizzas, buying a case or two of beer each week, getting pad thai, fueling our cars, paying for oil changes, putting wear and tear on our cars, etc etc etc. Then we still have 4 months off per year to enjoy our time. This is why I'm swapping to this career (in Jan 2025). I will make a little less money than I was in my previous job, but I will have time off to enjoy life.
Hello, I retired from the S.I.U. in Canada a couple of years ago. After a career of 46 years, wouldn't have changed a thing. In Canada your penalty premiums, we call here Danger pay. Thanks for the informative video. Good luck with your career, you won't regret it.
great video and great channel. I'm going after Ordinary Seaman jobs now. I'm gonna try to go to tugs or Great Lakes carriers but your gig would be a lot of fun too Rob
Retired out of the Army a few years ago. This was interesting…sure beats being deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq a few times…and pay and accommodations looks better too. Looks like a good option for a young person starting a career. Salute!
Good content. I worked offshore around the globe ocean engineering, salvage, subsea cable install living on various vessels - ships, barges, platforms etc… It can be a lonely life, tough on relationships and just your personal life in general. You have to want to do it and accept the sacrifices. Not for everyone but if you’re into it, you can see the world, make a good career from it, and a decent living.
Lucky you. My Filipino nephew who’s a welder on a ship that goes all over the world told me that he makes only $5/hr 40 hours/week that totals to only $800=P40,000/month. He is underpaid like the workers in the Middle East.
Quick reference.. I'm a merchant mariner with an A/B Unlimited. In the deck department, there are basically 5 levels. Ordinary Seaman, AB OSV, AB Special, AB Limited, AB Unlimited. We don't have a bosun or anything like that. With my company, the pay scale is as follows... O/S: $275/day A/B OSV: $375/day A/B Special: $385/day A/B Limited: $395/day A/B Unlimited: $410/day No union, no overtime, no vacation pay, a little bit of seniority pay after 5 years but not much.
Thanks for the video. I would like to ask you to double check your Saturday/Sunday pay rate. Your weekday rate is $153.17 divided by 8 is ~$19.15 per hour, which is your Saturday/Sunday rate. I don't see an overtime boost for the Saturday/Sunday rate. Otherwise, it sounds like you enjoy your job and that is the most important point. :)
I got the impression that the overtime is for after his 8 hour workday and that the sat/sun rate was any hours worked those days (inclusive of the day rate). I could be wrong though.
My granddad was a merchant marine from WW2 to 1970 when I was born he was an officer and had an engineering degree his retirement was like 80 grand a year in 1980
You're hilarious man and I love the music. That's not a bad kick in the pants, without the $7000 bonus, you're looking at about $9000 a month. If you just straight up go sea full time and did that same amount of OT you're looking at $108,000 a year.
Is there a long intro for a MM union? Im ready to go brother... Subbed to ya. I'm actually looking atm what I need here. Should I pay 125 USD for the TWIC and then apply for the MMC? I honestly dont know the method here. Google is awfully confusing. I just wanna go work... Any tips would be great man. Thanks.
@@SailorDean4 So the apprentice program is mandatory? Or can I test to get the license? I've got 25 years of diesel technician experience. as well as journeyman welder and machinist. I just know certain unions are really impossible to get into without first doing their programs. Just thinking I'm a bit old to get into any apprenticeship schools. I did see I can just apply for the Licenses. I'm going to look more into it tomorrow. Thanks for the videos. Looks like something I would enjoy.
Thanks for the transparency. Really good summary of wages. Do you normally do contract after contract? What i mean is do you work on a ship for 12 continuous minths?
I've been a union ironworker for the past 24 years but I wouldn't mind jumpin ship(no pun intended). I'm wondering though,what is considered too old to be getting in to this line of work?
@SailorDean4 It's basically like an apprenticeship program then, to get you started,or you have to pay for the schooling? And there's no age limit for acceptance into the schooling? And is it more difficult for an oldtimer to get hired on? Thanks in advance for any info and your time.
When I was sailing I used to hear a lot from Navy people about how much more we were paid than they were. What the Navy guys never understood was that, when you are in the Navy, you are still in the Navy and still get paid whether you are on a ship or based ashore. You also are still in the Navy and still get paid if your ship sinks, or if you become a prisoner of war. Like civilian employees, Navy personnel are paid every month, wherever they are, and whether they are ashore or at sea. However, in the merchant marine it is very different. A crew member is only paid when he is actually going to sea on a ship. That is because, when a crew member goes aboard a merchant ship the first thing he does is to "sign the articles", which is the contract between the seamen and the shipowner, and only then does the crew member go on the payroll. By the same token, at the end of the voyage the crew "signs off the articles", after which they get paid. After that, the crew members are unemployed until they sign on again, or else join another ship and signs onto that one. Furthermore, the articles are broken if a ship is sunk, and the crew are no longer on the payroll. In addition, the famous "Geneva Convention" applies only to military personnel who are taken prisoner during wartime. They do not apply to merchant seamen because they are civilians. Consequently, merchant seamen who are taken prisoner during wartime can be treated any way their captors want, and they have no redress. Not only that but, if a military prisoner of war is released at the end of hostilities, then the nation to which he belongs is obliged to repatriate him back home. That does not apply to merchant seaman prisoners who are released at the end of hostilities because they are civilians and not military personnel. Consequently, in contrast with military personnel, they actually may be obliged to find a berth on a ship and work their way home.
Hey I'm a foreigner I think I want to do that too. Could you make a video going over the steps to get to the point you are right now? Things like what courses you must take, what you must study, so on and so forth. I'm 27, I know nothing. Thank you this is very inspiring!
Thanks for being so transparent! Does your vacation pay only apply to SIU graduates or to anyone dependent on company, ship, etc? I'm planning on switching careers in 2025, but will not be attending school - instead working my way up from the bottom.
That’s a pretty spectacular amount of money as a young man for sure…. Do they have or use Paramedics on board your ships? If so would you be willing to share where I could apply?
Most ships do not the medical operations fall to the mates but on cable ships they do have a qualified “nurse” onboard specifically for medical purposes
Okay, but what do you do for a place to live during your off time? Or do you go work another contract during your off time? So you never have to worry about paying rent or mortgage.
@SailorDean4 thank you so much! And thank you for being so transparent about the pay! Your video solidified my decision to go to SIU. Especially that vacation bonus!
@@Just_no_ ahhh, gotcha. I’ve been on the waiting list for a while. (Started process in March). Just waiting for them to call me with an actual date right now. Was told I’m waiting for March 2025 class.
I once worked in the maritime industry, it taught me alot about office etiquette and strangley enough how to run a business while maintaining governmental certificates.
Awesome video. I have a bachelors degree in an unrelated field and I’ve been in the army for 5 years. I’m currently enlisted. I want to become a deck officer eventually for the merchant marine. Do I have to go to an academy or just get sea time?
I like to think of the program as in 1 full year you will be an able bodied seaman As in if you do it without the school you will pay out of pocket for a couple weeks of class and be an ordinary seaman then you need to put in the time to get your AB license the school is a faster way to get your AB no school is faster to get to work
@@jaideedave Yes because they are not humans, they are monkeys and that is why they get peanuts. That is what you like to say, that is your thought process. Just based on passport you like to support discrimination.
My father did merchant marine on an ammo carrier in WWII. The sister ship of his ship got torpedoed, dad said the explosion was spectacular and that he did vomit! His cousin was on that ship.
Do you think ARC pays more? I’m looking at the board right now I see the Liberty Passion, RORO, I wonder if they pay similar. Only three pages here in MI :( lol
@ Nothing but all port ships, few AB jobs, mostly tankers, I did OSG Keywest earlier this year for 4 months, not a bad ship, but I’m not trying to do another tanker so soon. I might go with this Liberty Ro-Ro
Wow im thankful i found your video brother, used to be a mate with credentials from different country, i want to restart my career here in the US. need to fast tract as im not getting younger, good thing you said the difference of daywotk AB and AB watchstander. So if your MMC credential say AB UNLIMITED you can apply for AB watchstander? Thank you.
Different for every ship it’s a certain number you will see on the contract before signing onto the ship you will have your hourly pay and your overtime pay
I had a buddy who was in the MM. He *ALSO* joined the Navy reserve. -Which as a MM, *really* only meant that once a month, he did 'sailor exercises' and once a year he checked into a Naval Yard. He was at 8 years in, already a Millionaire.at 35... His plan was 12 more years, then retire with 5 Million in the bank. -FYI: Dude *also* lived a pretty high life, -was always the guy to buy drinks for the crowd. said that his goal was always to spend 5,000 bucks on just life in between boats so that people would remember him when he got off shore.
@@SailorDean4 THAT, I do not know. I do know that the Navy approached him (not the other way around) and he said 'sure, I'll do it'. He did imply that being the navy (for him at least) was a total joke because he didn't do anything for them besides showing up once a year.
Gotta get your STCWS and MMC check out some of my other videos I get into more detail there are coast guard classes you need to attend to get the proper credentials to get out to sea
Nice video man! Have you met any people who have hawespiped from OS to 3rd mate? I’m in the process of joining the industry but I keep reading online it’s becoming quite difficult to hawespipe to 3rd mate and it’s better to just go to an academy. So I’m weighing my options
Not bad for a relatively “entry level” pay that I presume jumps a lot as you make your way up. But you are still around $10,000/month with….. any benefits. Entry level cops and firemen, with maybe 3 years on the job, at a good or larger city Department are making Over $10K/month…. before overtime (and before promotions) with pensions, lifetime medical etc. many cops work 3 twelve hours shifts a month and most firemen work 10 x 24 hour shifts a month. It is surprising how much some “blue collar jobs” pay such as longshoremen, various positions o. Commercial trains etc pay…. Most with no need for college education or Debt 😮
I have one more question for you my friend and I will leave you alone is truly my backup plan this job. I feel weak and mindless when I get sick do they treat you well when you're sick or do they crack the whip and say get back to work?
I'm still confused on how to get jobs. Coast Guard post entry level jobs in their site and also on indeed. Some people in Reddit say you need to do some basic training stuff.
Yeah you need to get your STCW credentials which is basic firefighting lifeboat CPR now you can pay out of pocket for those classes at a coastguard certified school or you can attend the seafarers international union apprenticeship program which will give you all the credentials and more including your first job
Plus free room and board No transportation costs getting to from job Cleared 43k 130 days Collect unemployment too While you are in Thailand enjoying vacation Come to philippines Thats 2.6 mullion pesos Land 1 million build modest house 1.6 million for 4 months work 😊
You may not have any formal college education. You have able seaman education. You live at sea. You should be paid very well for your labor at sea. It is sea education and qualifications you are paid for.
Get a retirement fund going. Join Army reserves to get veteran benefits for life. Buy your house with case. Never buy a brand new vehicle. You will be miles ahead of most. If you quit sailing, use you GI benefit for education to change careers if needed.
Here’s a bulletin: you might be a merchant mariner (I am) but you work in the merchant marine. You don’t have to be literate in order to earn a living but as a merchant mariner, I wish you would more accurately REPRESENT!
I was in the Navy way back in the day - I had looked at being a Merchant Marine and had a buddy that went in. I look at what you are pulling down and have a LOT of respect - you are making a Grip of cash! Good on you and keep it up!
For "no education" you pretty much made a killer presentation. Thank you, Dean!! I'm an ex-navy guy .... I thought when I was a kid, I thought I'd finish my 6-year hitch and then see if I could land a job as a merchant marine ..... I thought I might eventually qualify as an AB someday .... and go back to school to get my Radio license and maybe become a Radio Officer .... never worked out ... I stayed 20 years in the navy, but for you guys, I have major respect.. I hope your travels don't take you anywhere near those middle-east danger zones, Dean. Thanks again for a great presentation.
Biggest thing is not only did you make 42k you’re expenses while you were gone were low so you have most of that money. I always tell people this is one of the last careers that you can really make some money and set yourself up for the future. Even if you don’t want to sail for a long time. Sail 5 years, stack some cash, buy a house and pay it off, and invest. After 5 years you can go do whatever. Pay yourself first as they say. Skip the brand new 90k truck and bullshit materialistic stuff. Set yourself up for the future. I went to an Academy and then climbed the ranks. I highly recommend you get your mates license and start making even more $.
Couldn’t agreee more
Absolutely. If I could give one piece of advice to young men. I can remember being young and thinking retirement is long, long way away. But trust me, it flies. It seems like I was 25 yesterday, I'm in my fifties today. Max your 401k contributions, and on top of that max out your Roth IRA every year. Don't get tricked into buying crap you don't need, don't buy an expensive truck, don't waste money on junk. Invest in yourself. Because trust me, when you hit your 50s you'll be glad you did.
I wish I had your advice 30 years ago! I went a different route and somehow made out fine - but the Merchant Marines is a solid choice.
Yes! While the other people you went to high school with are going 60k in debt for a worthless college degree then working for $15/hr at Starbucks and living with their parents! 😂
You're doing just fine young man. Totally ahead of the curve compared to most!
Deducting for home time, you are looking at about 100K a year. It doesnt seem like much but when you consider room and board is paid. Plus the vacation pay. The ability to save simply because there is no mall just down the road. Its great pay! I regret blowing off my grandmother when she mentioned it when i was young. Considering in just a few years you could pay cash for a house, work another 3 months and furnish the house and another 3 months for a new car. Its so much better than the trucking industry!!! Make it a careere, being wise with your money, you can retire with a few million!
And folks as he said.......no education........Oh that's right.....he didn't hear of all the lazy, no good rich folk kids who couldn't even tie their shoes at 24 unless mommy and daddy were not their to help so they undoubtedly find the tail of Biden's train to get the relief of university debt....
Can’t beat it at all! I’m glad I found your channel, Dean. Thank you for being transparent about money. As we know, it's a sensitive topic for many. I appreciate the rundown on what to expect as a merchant mariner. I recently applied for my MMC about a week ago and hope to get on a ship in the future. Keep up the great work.
Thanks good luck with your journey it’s worth it
My only advice... Max out your Roth 401K. Skip the traditional unless that is where the match is and only do what is required to get the match. Then, you want to do a Roth IRA (backdoor partially at you income level). Rock it.
ALWAYS get the match! (If the company offers a Roth 401k, put your contribution there. The company's match will be in a Traditional 401k.)
Then Max out your Roth IRA.
After maxing the Roth IRA, Max out your Roth 401k.
Don't forget about the HSA if you're healthy enough for a high deductible insurance plan.
Longshorman here. I work some of the ships some of the guys commenting.
Thanks for the video. Very interesting.
Lots of respect for you and the longshoremen
I graduated in 1976 and had my first 2nd Officer job in 1979....The Sea Land Producer, and was making 7000$ monthly. To put that in context I purchased a new MG in 76 for 3500
Now that’s amazing
@@SailorDean4 Following Seas, Dean...
I was the 3rd engineer on the SeaLand Trader in 2000. I made 24K per month on that money printer.
How is it that I never heard of this… the only time I ever heard of the merchant Marine was their bravery during World War II. Do you have to take test or examinations to qualify? And are they always looking for people or is there a waiting line to get in… I feel the need for some salt air!
@@REBELSCL Gotta get your STCWs and MMC through a coast guard approved facility if you go to the union they will have you take a very basic math and english test but they are always hiring
Great information, I'm going to share this on our facebook page so our students can see the potential if they stick with the program.
Awesome, thank you!
Nice and even better that you love what you do! My father was a first mate for 7 years in the Merchant Marines and told me so many stories of 2 week layovers in Africa and Holland. He loved it!
I worked Tugs, Fleet work on the Mississippi River and " Trip " loads. There was my Captain, and me. I was Engineer, Oiler, Head Stewart and Deckhand!! Absolutely LOVED that job!!
That’s actually sounds amazing would love to hear more about it
Watching your video brought me back to my Decking days! I totally relate to washing your ship, it was one of my duties. I worked a 14 - on, 7 day off schedule, and I lived on my boat, Miss Courtney, I found her a few years ago on ship traffic sight, but I looked the other day and couldn't find her. That job was one of the toughest, heaviest, scariest, dirtiest, best job that I ever worked. I left the electrical field for 2 years and worked on the river. Went back to electrical, and ended up wiring ships!! Hornbeck Offshore was the last.@@SailorDean4
I worked on a parcel tanker, mostly around Scandinavia and the Baltic. The regime was very generous with overtime and compensation for excess hours. The ship was in and out of port rapidly and we were tank cleaning non stop. It was actually possible to log more hours in one week than the 148 hours. Tank cleaning was rewarded with a bottle of Woods rum for the crew bar. When we left the Baltic for Rotterdam to refill the tanks, we had a party with free drinks. The food was top class with steaks and lobster every Saturday. Managed to buy a car with the earnings on that trip.
A lot of people outside the industry forget about the "extra wages" I call it. These "extra wages" are all the money one saves by being on a ship. No daily gas. No daily coffee/eating out. Food, room, & board is payed for by the Company. No daily road tolls, etc etc etc.
I notice a lot of people forget to "add it all up too".
Lets use these numbers rounded off for easy math.
You made (before tax) $40,000 in 4 months. That is $10,000 per month. Let's say you want to work 8 months of the year.
8 months of the year worked = $80,000
Let's not forget about your vacation pay
Vac pay (using the numbers you said in vid) for 8 months = $20,000.
Total pay for 8 months = $100,000.
This number looks totally different after adding the vacation pay. Don't forget during these 8 months, we weren't ordering pizzas, buying a case or two of beer each week, getting pad thai, fueling our cars, paying for oil changes, putting wear and tear on our cars, etc etc etc. Then we still have 4 months off per year to enjoy our time.
This is why I'm swapping to this career (in Jan 2025). I will make a little less money than I was in my previous job, but I will have time off to enjoy life.
You got that right
no chicks, 12 hour days
Where does one apply? Where are you applying? Thanks.
I remember you being the head bosun at the school lol. Class 869. Time flies . Cool videos.
It really does hope your doing good
Class 392 here.
Hello, I retired from the S.I.U. in Canada a couple of years ago. After a career of 46 years, wouldn't have changed a thing. In Canada your penalty premiums, we call here Danger pay. Thanks for the informative video. Good luck with your career, you won't regret it.
Thank you hope to have a long career you are inspiring
great video and great channel. I'm going after Ordinary Seaman jobs now. I'm gonna try to go to tugs or Great Lakes carriers but your gig would be a lot of fun too
Rob
Good luck LETS GO
Retired out of the Army a few years ago. This was interesting…sure beats being deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq a few times…and pay and accommodations looks better too. Looks like a good option for a young person starting a career. Salute!
Good content. I worked offshore around the globe ocean engineering, salvage, subsea cable install living on various vessels - ships, barges, platforms etc… It can be a lonely life, tough on relationships and just your personal life in general. You have to want to do it and accept the sacrifices. Not for everyone but if you’re into it, you can see the world, make a good career from it, and a decent living.
Thank you young man for the perfectly broken down pay scale with the copy of all the numbers.
Your welcome
Lucky you. My Filipino nephew who’s a welder on a ship that goes all over the world told me that he makes only $5/hr 40 hours/week that totals to only $800=P40,000/month. He is underpaid like the workers in the Middle East.
Good video. I suggest saving aggressively in your 401 (k) while you're young so your money has a long time to work for you before you retire.
Quick reference.. I'm a merchant mariner with an A/B Unlimited. In the deck department, there are basically 5 levels. Ordinary Seaman, AB OSV, AB Special, AB Limited, AB Unlimited. We don't have a bosun or anything like that. With my company, the pay scale is as follows...
O/S: $275/day
A/B OSV: $375/day
A/B Special: $385/day
A/B Limited: $395/day
A/B Unlimited: $410/day
No union, no overtime, no vacation pay, a little bit of seniority pay after 5 years but not much.
Which company
Thanks for the video. I would like to ask you to double check your Saturday/Sunday pay rate. Your weekday rate is $153.17 divided by 8 is ~$19.15 per hour, which is your Saturday/Sunday rate. I don't see an overtime boost for the Saturday/Sunday rate. Otherwise, it sounds like you enjoy your job and that is the most important point. :)
I got the impression that the overtime is for after his 8 hour workday and that the sat/sun rate was any hours worked those days (inclusive of the day rate). I could be wrong though.
My granddad was a merchant marine from WW2 to 1970 when I was born he was an officer and had an engineering degree his retirement was like 80 grand a year in 1980
Great content. I'm waiting on my medical; got my credential. I'm coming your way. Thanks Man
LETS GO
You're hilarious man and I love the music. That's not a bad kick in the pants, without the $7000 bonus, you're looking at about $9000 a month. If you just straight up go sea full time and did that same amount of OT you're looking at $108,000 a year.
Awesome. Good work, and you love it! 🇺🇸
Is there a long intro for a MM union? Im ready to go brother...
Subbed to ya. I'm actually looking atm what I need here. Should I pay 125 USD for the TWIC and then apply for the MMC? I honestly dont know the method here. Google is awfully confusing. I just wanna go work... Any tips would be great man. Thanks.
Get those STCWs and MMC and get in that hall haha
@@SailorDean4 So the apprentice program is mandatory? Or can I test to get the license? I've got 25 years of diesel technician experience. as well as journeyman welder and machinist.
I just know certain unions are really impossible to get into without first doing their programs. Just thinking I'm a bit old to get into any apprenticeship schools.
I did see I can just apply for the Licenses. I'm going to look more into it tomorrow. Thanks for the videos. Looks like something I would enjoy.
WTH, You have NOTHING going into your 401K! You should be maxing that out (making that kind of money). You’ll need it, I retired at 50.
I agree!! He's not very bright if he's not maxing out his 401k.
I'm a former navy corpsman. Are there any positions like that on the ships?
There are medical ships or on cable ships there are nurses one per ship paid very well
@SailorDean4 thank you!
Thanks for the transparency. Really good summary of wages. Do you normally do contract after contract? What i mean is do you work on a ship for 12 continuous minths?
I work until I wanna go home then I stay home until I wanna work again haha
@SailorDean4 that's the way I thought it worked. So I get the feeling that working 12 months straight is uncommon.
I've been a union ironworker for the past 24 years but I wouldn't mind jumpin ship(no pun intended). I'm wondering though,what is considered too old to be getting in to this line of work?
I’ve worked with men over 80 haha
@SailorDean4 It's basically like an apprenticeship program then, to get you started,or you have to pay for the schooling? And there's no age limit for acceptance into the schooling? And is it more difficult for an oldtimer to get hired on? Thanks in advance for any info and your time.
When I was sailing I used to hear a lot from Navy people about how much more we were paid than they were. What the Navy guys never understood was that, when you are in the Navy, you are still in the Navy and still get paid whether you are on a ship or based ashore. You also are still in the Navy and still get paid if your ship sinks, or if you become a prisoner of war. Like civilian employees, Navy personnel are paid every month, wherever they are, and whether they are ashore or at sea. However, in the merchant marine it is very different. A crew member is only paid when he is actually going to sea on a ship. That is because, when a crew member goes aboard a merchant ship the first thing he does is to "sign the articles", which is the contract between the seamen and the shipowner, and only then does the crew member go on the payroll. By the same token, at the end of the voyage the crew "signs off the articles", after which they get paid. After that, the crew members are unemployed until they sign on again, or else join another ship and signs onto that one. Furthermore, the articles are broken if a ship is sunk, and the crew are no longer on the payroll. In addition, the famous "Geneva Convention" applies only to military personnel who are taken prisoner during wartime. They do not apply to merchant seamen because they are civilians. Consequently, merchant seamen who are taken prisoner during wartime can be treated any way their captors want, and they have no redress. Not only that but, if a military prisoner of war is released at the end of hostilities, then the nation to which he belongs is obliged to repatriate him back home. That does not apply to merchant seaman prisoners who are released at the end of hostilities because they are civilians and not military personnel. Consequently, in contrast with military personnel, they actually may be obliged to find a berth on a ship and work their way home.
Well said
Hey I'm a foreigner I think I want to do that too.
Could you make a video going over the steps to get to the point you are right now? Things like what courses you must take, what you must study, so on and so forth. I'm 27, I know nothing.
Thank you this is very inspiring!
Yes I will make that video for you
If you’re doing 4 hrs OT daily are you guys doing 6’s like we did on tugs? 6hrs on 6off? Or is it a 12hr shift?
I work 4 hours watch then 4 hours off then 4 hours of deck work then 4 hours of watch then 8 hours off
My uncle and several cousins were part of the merchant marines.
Hello dean can you make a video about getting unemployment after the ships? I dont think there is any video on this topic
Thanks for being so transparent! Does your vacation pay only apply to SIU graduates or to anyone dependent on company, ship, etc? I'm planning on switching careers in 2025, but will not be attending school - instead working my way up from the bottom.
If you join the SIU you will get the vacation pay you don’t need to attend the school to join the SIU
@@SailorDean4 Thanks brother! I'll be joining then!
How do u handle pirates??
That’s a pretty spectacular amount of money as a young man for sure…. Do they have or use Paramedics on board your ships? If so would you be willing to share where I could apply?
Most ships do not the medical operations fall to the mates but on cable ships they do have a qualified “nurse” onboard specifically for medical purposes
Damn i can't wait
Same fam! Class soon for me
What's your start date?
I remember starting out as a cadet (trainee) engineer in the South African Merchant Marine. Made $20/month and saved just about all of it.
Okay, but what do you do for a place to live during your off time? Or do you go work another contract during your off time? So you never have to worry about paying rent or mortgage.
I got a place just work when I wanna work
I’m so nervous, I’m waiting on my security background and I had a juve record as a 15 yr old… I really hope I can change my life
You definitely can wait till you hear my story
I had a record and I had no problems getting in
It's important to remember that AB stands for Any Body.
Heading to SIU soon! Can you make q video of your perspective of the deck compared to engine department?
@@Just_no_ Officially my next video
@SailorDean4 thank you so much! And thank you for being so transparent about the pay! Your video solidified my decision to go to SIU. Especially that vacation bonus!
@@Just_no_ you got a class date yet?
@hunterbuster8919 hey! No not yet, currently finished application and setting up an appointment with a union for testing this month
@@Just_no_ ahhh, gotcha. I’ve been on the waiting list for a while. (Started process in March). Just waiting for them to call me with an actual date right now. Was told I’m waiting for March 2025 class.
Is overtime required to do? Given its name it seems like it would be optional (and thats what i always assumed).
Some ships overtime is required some they give you a lot more of an option to decide if you wanna work the overtime
Thumbs up for the right attitude.
I once worked in the maritime industry, it taught me alot about office etiquette and strangley enough how to run a business while maintaining governmental certificates.
Awesome video. I have a bachelors degree in an unrelated field and I’ve been in the army for 5 years. I’m currently enlisted. I want to become a deck officer eventually for the merchant marine. Do I have to go to an academy or just get sea time?
You can go and just get your sea time that’s what I’m doing
@ awesome, how long do you think it takes to get to those ranks like 3rd mate, 2nd mate or captain?
Bc I definitely don’t wanna go to an academy and just wanna start working out on the water haha
What’s up bro great vids how long does school take ? Or should I go through the basic entry level and it’s faster?
I like to think of the program as in 1 full year you will be an able bodied seaman
As in if you do it without the school you will pay out of pocket for a couple weeks of class and be an ordinary seaman then you need to put in the time to get your AB license the school is a faster way to get your AB no school is faster to get to work
While you are on board the ship, Do you have to pay food, snacks, phone cards, WiFi, etc?
I don’t pay for anything while on the ship
On international ships ABs get $ 800 per month including vacation pay!
It all depends on which passport you have. Indians and Philipinos get lower salaries than western people.
@@jaideedave Yes because they are not humans, they are monkeys and that is why they get peanuts. That is what you like to say, that is your thought process. Just based on passport you like to support discrimination.
How did you get into the industry and is it the same for Canada?
Not sure about Canada I’m gonna save how I got into the industry for another cideo
0:54 sounded so ‘living a memory’
My father did merchant marine on an ammo carrier in WWII. The sister ship of his ship got torpedoed, dad said the explosion was spectacular and that he did vomit! His cousin was on that ship.
Do you think ARC pays more? I’m looking at the board right now I see the Liberty Passion, RORO, I wonder if they pay similar. Only three pages here in MI :( lol
I do believe ARC pays more then liberty what other jobs you got on your board
@
Nothing but all port ships, few AB jobs, mostly tankers, I did OSG Keywest earlier this year for 4 months, not a bad ship, but I’m not trying to do another tanker so soon. I might go with this Liberty Ro-Ro
@@SailorDean4 I just took the Liberty Passion haha, goes between Oregon and Japan/Korea.
I’m gonna be an animal in Korea
Ahh, I live in Jacksonville! Do I have to go to school to do this?
You don’t have to go too school there are many ways to get your credentials check out my 3 easiest ways video to see what works for you
Oh! I'm working on board of crude oil tankers and get 12000$ monthly. Looks like I need shift my family to USA and try to get MMC
Get your mates license. You'll make twice that for the same amount of time
Would you say someone that is 31 with 15 years of kitchen experience can do the program and be a chef in the union?
Yeah definitely just gotta work your way up by getting the sea time and taking the classes
How difficult is it to find the next ship to sail on?
I’m in the SIU which is a merchant marine union so right now there are plenty of jobs so very easy
Wow im thankful i found your video brother, used to be a mate with credentials from different country, i want to restart my career here in the US. need to fast tract as im not getting younger, good thing you said the difference of daywotk AB and AB watchstander. So if your MMC credential say AB UNLIMITED you can apply for AB watchstander? Thank you.
Yes you can AB unlimited is the best credential for a AB job
I will make just over 90k for 6 months work as a 2nd cook in a Great Lakes bulk carrier. Includes the unemployment I collect when off the ship.
Hell yeah what company you with
How is overtime pay calculated? is it still time and a half like it is working a regular job?
Different for every ship it’s a certain number you will see on the contract before signing onto the ship you will have your hourly pay and your overtime pay
Does your job include room and board
Yes I pay for nothing not even transportation
Question? you are pretty jacked. Do you have a gym on board the ship?
Yes all ships are required a fitness center
I had a buddy who was in the MM. He *ALSO* joined the Navy reserve. -Which as a MM, *really* only meant that once a month, he did 'sailor exercises' and once a year he checked into a Naval Yard. He was at 8 years in, already a Millionaire.at 35... His plan was 12 more years, then retire with 5 Million in the bank. -FYI: Dude *also* lived a pretty high life, -was always the guy to buy drinks for the crowd. said that his goal was always to spend 5,000 bucks on just life in between boats so that people would remember him when he got off shore.
How did he go through the navy boot camp while a MM just curious and did it interfere with his career
@@SailorDean4 THAT, I do not know. I do know that the Navy approached him (not the other way around) and he said 'sure, I'll do it'. He did imply that being the navy (for him at least) was a total joke because he didn't do anything for them besides showing up once a year.
How does one go about getting into this line of work?
Gotta get your STCWS and MMC check out some of my other videos I get into more detail there are coast guard classes you need to attend to get the proper credentials to get out to sea
Nice video man! Have you met any people who have hawespiped from OS to 3rd mate?
I’m in the process of joining the industry but I keep reading online it’s becoming quite difficult to hawespipe to 3rd mate and it’s better to just go to an academy.
So I’m weighing my options
My last captain was a hawsepiper who started out as an OS at 30 so it’s possible I’m gonna hawsepipe my way up I believe we can do it
@@SailorDean4 awesome, good luck on your journey! Hope to join you out there soon
Is there paramedics on board to treat you ?
There are not the officers on board are qualified medical officers
What a cool career. They don't really advertise this job to young people.
Very true trying to do that myself
Great vid man! Heading to piney point in a couple weeks looking forward to it now!🙏🏽
@@carlt1997 You’ll have a great experience. It will change you life
I'm curious, What is the oldest entry level sailor you have seen in your time aboard ship?
70s-80s get to sea at any age
How many hours a week ? 12hrs x 7days ?
Yes sir
@SailorDean4 just curious if you do this job 25 years do you have a guess on what your potential pension will be ?
@@Brian.Martin It all depends on the sea time you acquire some people work four months a year where others do eight all time on a ship is sea time
What company is this you’re working for
This ship was Tote
I worked in the oil field in Alaska and averaged 10k a month working 24 weeks a year. 2 weeks at work and then 2 weeks off.
Than how much do a captain make per month ???
A lot more
Is there an age cut off for apprentice training program through seafarers union.
As long as you can meet the physical requirements you’ll be fine
Thank you
Not bad for a relatively “entry level” pay that I presume jumps a lot as you make your way up. But you are still around $10,000/month with….. any benefits. Entry level cops and firemen, with maybe 3 years on the job, at a good or larger city Department are making Over $10K/month…. before overtime (and before promotions) with pensions, lifetime medical etc. many cops work 3 twelve hours shifts a month and most firemen work 10 x 24 hour shifts a month. It is surprising how much some “blue collar jobs” pay such as longshoremen, various positions o. Commercial trains etc pay…. Most with no need for college education or Debt 😮
If you don't have a family or kids who are waiting for you at home, this would make a very rewarding career
I have one more question for you my friend and I will leave you alone is truly my backup plan this job. I feel weak and mindless when I get sick do they treat you well when you're sick or do they crack the whip and say get back to work?
They understand when you are sick sea sick or injured you still have your duties but they will never crack the whip
That was interesting. That's for the video.
I'm still confused on how to get jobs.
Coast Guard post entry level jobs in their site and also on indeed.
Some people in Reddit say you need to do some basic training stuff.
Yeah you need to get your STCW credentials which is basic firefighting lifeboat CPR now you can pay out of pocket for those classes at a coastguard certified school or you can attend the seafarers international union apprenticeship program which will give you all the credentials and more including your first job
Plus free room and board
No transportation costs getting to from job
Cleared 43k 130 days
Collect unemployment too
While you are in Thailand enjoying vacation
Come to philippines
Thats 2.6 mullion pesos
Land 1 million build modest house 1.6 million for 4 months work 😊
No 401 k or Roth contribution? When u upgrading for the big money?😊
I got the personal Roth I put money too
Any idea sir how to apply in your company?im also a AB
Best option would be to join the SIU seafarers international union and get a job through them
I was in class 359 (1982 ) now work as a Chief Engineer- 40 years in this Industry- still working.
Wow amazing
I am proof that it can be done- become an Officer- SIU is a good stepping stone
What does a chief engineer make a month?
@ hard to put an exact number on it but a lot more then me haha
In ROS at the dock- clear 13k month. At sea 40k per month
I would start contributing to some sort of retirement account for a Roth IRA so that you’ve got something to fall back on in your later years
Where do i sign up?
How long until your next job?
I’ll usually take a couple months off between ships
You may not have any formal college education. You have able seaman education. You live at sea. You should be paid very well for your labor at sea. It is sea education and qualifications you are paid for.
Right about that
What up bro do I need to go to school for 5 month or can I just get my mmc and join
The school is the better option but you can always pay out of pocket get the credentials and ship out as an ordinary seaman
Get a retirement fund going. Join Army reserves to get veteran benefits for life. Buy your house with case. Never buy a brand new vehicle. You will be miles ahead of most. If you quit sailing, use you GI benefit for education to change careers if needed.
Do you get medical/Dental/Vision by chance?
Yes I do through the union. Seafarers international union
How do you get a job as a merchant marine
Gotta get your coast guard approved credentials like MMC and your TWIC you get those after you take coast guard approved courses
Hello Dean is there any chance of me getting a job as a deck cadet in a foreign ship
Where you from
12 hours a day and you made a little more than public school teachers in my town, they average $92k a year for 9 months.
43 grand in 4 months? Way to go my dude.
Here’s a bulletin: you might be a merchant mariner (I am) but you work in the merchant marine.
You don’t have to be literate in order to earn a living but as a merchant mariner, I wish you would more accurately REPRESENT!