I went the NCL route last year at Piney Point. We actually get paid to do the training while there, I believe we got paid $1200; and it's only for 1 week now, not 2 weeks. Yes we partied hard, but we took 2 classes per day; firefighting and lifeboat were in the same day for example. The flights and hotels were free. Looking into SIU myself now that my NCL time is over
I spent 6.5 years in the USCG and the USN, the only thing I did was take 2 written tests and 1 practical (raising and lowering a miniature life boat) at the MSO and turn in my paper work from the DR. and they gave me my Z-card on the spot! (I brought a passport photo with me)
I'm doing the SIU apprenticeship. Its a long wait for anyone applying right now. I applied in March 2024 and go to class in January 2025. I hear people are being told this month that they are booked through summer 2026. The new revised SIU program takes about 14 months with breaks included. 4.5 months school -> 3 months ship -> 4 months ship -> 1.5 months school. Done. There are breaks in between the two ships and after the 2nd ship.
The only down side for the NCL route is if you are going to go SIU afterwards. You'll go into SIU with a C book where if you went through the apprenticeship, you come out at a B book. If you aren't going to go into the SIU to work, this point is irrelevant.
What made you want to become a merchant mariner ? How old are you ? What's your best memory about going to piney point ? How fast was you put on a job right after completing piney point?
Maybe they have learned from their mistakes I just went through their website they didn’t list any deck or engine jobs. They probably go through the union nowadays
I was stupid and didn’t treat my knee and I still have problems to this day but there is always a designated medical officer on the ship and if it’s very serious they will send you to the hospital when ashore or at see they will call the coast guard to fly over and get you
@ Yeah I’m sure it is, I quit my decent paying fiber optic job kinda too early a year ago after my friend told me about SIU because I didn’t know there was a wait and started gathering my credentials like twic and passports which I’ve gotten now but then I’ve seen how the wait went from January 2025 to now 2026 and now I’m working at a pretty shitty job until I figure how I go about SIU I’m just ready to go now honestly I wish there wasn’t a wait 😂 I might try that NCL way you mentioned in the video, or just paying out of pocket but I heard it was hard getting on a ship just as an OS without the apprenticeship
What if I already obtained my MMC,STCW And my MMC says I’m qualified for Ordinary Seaman Wiper Steward (F.H) Do I still have to attend piney point SIU?
You are ready to sail as an ordinary seaman wiper or steward department if you wanna join the SIU I would go to the hall with your credentials and ask about work you are qualified
I have the exact same MMC quals as you. I went to my local SIU hall and they said you can do any entry level job (which are the 3 you listed). You don't need to attend Piney Point. They also informed me that I have to redo my medical certificate and get another certificate for deep sea which is about $300. When joining the union, you also have to pay $600 for a physical lol
@ I’m not taking anything away from dean he is great. I actually found dean watching Joe’s videos. I’m just letting you know Joe Franta has been posting SIU videos for years and he’s posted one of the food. You can wait on dean or go watch Joe then watch dean’s when his drop. You can’t get too much information. They both work for the same union. Just trying to be helpful since you said ASAP because there’s already one out there.
I went through the cruise line. When they hire you on, they give you all the information for obtaining your MMC (they even reimburse you for it). The STCW training is what you do at Piney Point and you get paid to complete it (it's about 6 long days of training these days). Hair is fine, but they were very picky about visible tats and facial piercings
2:10 It took you 1.5 years once you got into the SIU program? Or are you counting the time it took from when you first applied for the apprenticeship program + going through the program itself?
@@Darius-y1e I remember reading a few weeks ago that almost anything that was done over 10 years ago will most likely be over looked so long there is no other recent crimes on your record, dont take what im saying to heart though and definitely still research and see. although if you are located in California i believe if you have done something over 10 years ago you can attempt to get it expunged or something I'd for surely try looking into that
If you go to the uscg website there's a safety and suitability tab/section that has a table that shows how long you have to wait for a crime to not matter anymore. For example my misdemeanor DWI conviction was over 3 years ago so I was good. If you are still on parole or probation then you will probably be disqualified though. Armed robbery won't automatically disqualify you though
![SAFEPLANET - ดาวเคราะห์ [ THE PLANET ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X1XL3I_k3c/mqdefault.jpg)
I went the NCL route last year at Piney Point. We actually get paid to do the training while there, I believe we got paid $1200; and it's only for 1 week now, not 2 weeks. Yes we partied hard, but we took 2 classes per day; firefighting and lifeboat were in the same day for example. The flights and hotels were free. Looking into SIU myself now that my NCL time is over
I spent 6.5 years in the USCG and the USN, the only thing I did was take 2 written tests and 1 practical (raising and lowering a miniature life boat) at the MSO and turn in my paper work from the DR. and they gave me my Z-card on the spot! (I brought a passport photo with me)
I'm doing the SIU apprenticeship. Its a long wait for anyone applying right now. I applied in March 2024 and go to class in January 2025. I hear people are being told this month that they are booked through summer 2026.
The new revised SIU program takes about 14 months with breaks included. 4.5 months school -> 3 months ship -> 4 months ship -> 1.5 months school. Done. There are breaks in between the two ships and after the 2nd ship.
Academy is still a great option, especially any veterans here with GI Bill left. Near free school, and you’re making over 100k easily.
Good point
I wish I had known about this job field years ago before I used up all of my G.I. Bill. Going 4 months without a paycheck at piney point was rough.
Oh yeah I was waiting for this!
Thank you for the video man!
ive been looking at bluewater but i also see seaschool which would you think is better
As long as they provide coast guard approved STCW courses they both are good just look at which is closer and which is cheaper
The only down side for the NCL route is if you are going to go SIU afterwards. You'll go into SIU with a C book where if you went through the apprenticeship, you come out at a B book. If you aren't going to go into the SIU to work, this point is irrelevant.
What's the difference? I did the NCL route and am now looking into SIU
is joining the navy or coast guard for a few years and then getting a a merchant marine a option?
They have a military to Mariner transfer program which is really good also MSC is civilian Mariners working for the navy if you wanna look into that
What made you want to become a merchant mariner ? How old are you ? What's your best memory about going to piney point ? How fast was you put on a job right after completing piney point?
Some of these questions I’ll save for a video but I’m 26 and I was able to get a job right after completing the program
@SailorDean4 awesome can't wait to see your next video 🙌🏽
Maybe they have learned from their mistakes I just went through their website they didn’t list any deck or engine jobs. They probably go through the union nowadays
NCL goes through SIU for deck and engine jobs these days. NCL jobs are just hotel and restaurant, I did the NCL route last year at Piney Point
How did you get your knee treated? What happens if someone needs urgent care? And when not urgent but in a lot of pain?
I was stupid and didn’t treat my knee and I still have problems to this day but there is always a designated medical officer on the ship and if it’s very serious they will send you to the hospital when ashore or at see they will call the coast guard to fly over and get you
@@SailorDean4 Awesome, thanks for the reply! Are you on leave now, or are you on a ship while responding to these comments?
I want to join the industry but the wait at the SIU apprenticeship wait is so long
Worth the wait
@ Yeah I’m sure it is, I quit my decent paying fiber optic job kinda too early a year ago after my friend told me about SIU because I didn’t know there was a wait and started gathering my credentials like twic and passports which I’ve gotten now but then I’ve seen how the wait went from January 2025 to now 2026 and now I’m working at a pretty shitty job until I figure how I go about SIU I’m just ready to go now honestly I wish there wasn’t a wait 😂 I might try that NCL way you mentioned in the video, or just paying out of pocket but I heard it was hard getting on a ship just as an OS without the apprenticeship
I got my mmc today..what is my next step? Including AB seaman endorsement..
Do you have your STCWs
Hi @Sailor Dean, do you know anything about MITAGS apprenticeship program?
I hear good things I believe it’s a two year program they train you closely with specific companies that will take you as an employee after graduation
@SailorDean4 cool, thanks for answering
What if I already obtained my MMC,STCW
And my MMC says I’m qualified for
Ordinary Seaman
Wiper
Steward (F.H)
Do I still have to attend piney point SIU?
You are ready to sail as an ordinary seaman wiper or steward department if you wanna join the SIU I would go to the hall with your credentials and ask about work you are qualified
I have the exact same MMC quals as you. I went to my local SIU hall and they said you can do any entry level job (which are the 3 you listed). You don't need to attend Piney Point. They also informed me that I have to redo my medical certificate and get another certificate for deep sea which is about $300. When joining the union, you also have to pay $600 for a physical lol
need a video on the type of food you eat on the ships asap
Not trying to take away from dean but Joe Franta covered the food in one of his videos for SIU program/ships.
@@Captain_Wavy_Jones Joe who? No Dean, No Watch, simple as
@ I’m not taking anything away from dean he is great. I actually found dean watching Joe’s videos. I’m just letting you know Joe Franta has been posting SIU videos for years and he’s posted one of the food. You can wait on dean or go watch Joe then watch dean’s when his drop. You can’t get too much information. They both work for the same union. Just trying to be helpful since you said ASAP because there’s already one out there.
@@Captain_Wavy_Jones Agreed, been watching Joe for over a year now; we were on the same cruise ship in Hawaii
If I go through the cruise line and attend SIU STCW courses do i still have to cut my hair?
No you do not it would be like attending a school for two weeks staying in a hotel
@SailorDean4 So basically just get my MMC without my STCW and then get hired on, trained, and have it added after?
Yeah try to get your MMC before getting the STCW so when you get it just throw it in the book and your ready to go
I went through the cruise line. When they hire you on, they give you all the information for obtaining your MMC (they even reimburse you for it). The STCW training is what you do at Piney Point and you get paid to complete it (it's about 6 long days of training these days). Hair is fine, but they were very picky about visible tats and facial piercings
2:10 It took you 1.5 years once you got into the SIU program?
Or are you counting the time it took from when you first applied for the apprenticeship program + going through the program itself?
From when I first started but I took extended breaks in between phases you can speed through it by not going home
Do you know if felons qualify to become Mariners?
It really depends the crime and how long ago it was
@@SailorDean4 To be frank armed robbery (foolish I know) and 10 years ago what would you speculate if you had to?
@@Darius-y1e I remember reading a few weeks ago that almost anything that was done over 10 years ago will most likely be over looked so long there is no other recent crimes on your record, dont take what im saying to heart though and definitely still research and see. although if you are located in California i believe if you have done something over 10 years ago you can attempt to get it expunged or something I'd for surely try looking into that
@@uncQ0520 Ok thanks & will research
If you go to the uscg website there's a safety and suitability tab/section that has a table that shows how long you have to wait for a crime to not matter anymore. For example my misdemeanor DWI conviction was over 3 years ago so I was good. If you are still on parole or probation then you will probably be disqualified though. Armed robbery won't automatically disqualify you though
Merchant mariner or seafarer, Marines are in the Military
Merchant marine is another common title for a seafarer 👍