Captains License

Does anyone have their Captains License? I'm getting out of the Coast Guard and have been a coxswain driving boats for the past 5 years. I can get a 100 ton license just need to take the course. Just looking for some thoughts from others that have there license.

 

I don't bro but, I think it'd be a pretty sweet gig. I've dreamed of being a fishing charter captain or captain of some private mega yacht.

Out of interest what career path are you thinking in terms of the type of operation?

 

I mean, I'd like to stay in Louisiana so pretty much it will be offshore jobs for me until I can go back to school. Not sure what kind of boats I'd be able to drive with just a 100 ton license though.

 

Yea Sean, it's still cool. Guy I used to work for employed a guy with his 100 ton (I know because I was all about it even then). He drove my bosses 125 footer and pulled a 60 footer sometimes (also the bosses, used for fishing...a really sweet Buddy Davis). Pay was good ($100k in the early 2000s) & based at Fort Lauderdale. Yup, sign me up.

 

My bmc just retired and is looking to do the same thing in Louisiana. Hope it works out for you

 

This is my boat

just got my 100t, steersman, apprentice mate 200t, and 200t. My 100t is valid now and my 200 ton will be valid in 2016. Just getting all the time in. I work on tug boats.

 

That's awesome man! Do you push or pull with that bad boy? That's bigger than most tugs down here in Venice.

If you don't mind me asking what's the pay range for the 100 ton up there?

 

She is 70x30 with a 13' draft. We do mostly assit work with her. Assit ships and barges to and from the dock. We also do some tow work not much though. Our larger tugs do most of that. This company if you come in with your 100t and experiance you will prolly start at around 32-35,000. My schedule is 4 days on 4 days off so technically I only work 182 days a year. With that license you cant drive the tugs. 100t is only good for our launch boat.

 

Ok so when getting my license what all should I try to get along with the 100 ton?

 

I wish I got into this when I was younger. I started 2 years ago at age 36. I quit a good payin job to get into this.

if you go for your 100t and plan on working on larger vessels just do all your school at the same time. Makes it alot easier with everything still fresh in your head.

 

I figured it'd be better do get everything together at once.

 

100t,200t, steersman, radar, mrop, and cg approved cpr/first aid which you prolly have.
some tug companies also want you to have an AB license.

my company paid for all my schooling.

 

I think the GI Bill will pay for mine. I just need a job until I can get the license and get a job on a tug.

 

I started with nothing. I was just a deckhand and now im a deckhand with 100t and apprentice mate 200t. It took me 2 years to get this job. My buddy just got on a mccallister boat, took him a year.

 

Are there a lot of jobs open that way?

 

That's a nice carreer to have

Looking at the wheels, I would've thought they would counter-rotate.. it appears they spin in the same direction, no?

 

Not really seems like they come in waves. We go thru deckhands like water

 

Good catch....

 

Whys that? People just don't like the job?

 

I"m a captain.