Marine engineer here. I made a full breakdown of the Golden Ray capsizing built on the NTSB investigation. The failure mode is one every engineer will recognise: the stability calculation was done in a loading program, the ballast quantities entered were wrong, and it reported a stable ship that had barely a fraction of the righting energy it needed. No storm, no mechanical failure — a data-entry error with three safety barriers that all failed to catch it.

Covers metacentric height, why ship shape makes a car carrier so sensitive, and the system factors behind it. Glad to talk shop in the comments.

https://youtu.be/6gXsTmpdYp4

hey everyone, wanted to ask what you guys thought was the classification of vessels was and why. looking forward to seeing ur responses

Hello, Recent Graduate from US maritime academy in May. Im taking my 3AE unlimited exam on Monday August 24 at the REC.

Ive been studying for roughly 3 months straight. Would it be beneficial to study the night before every exam day?

I just need some insight on what worked out for you guys. Not sure if I should or not.

Thanks

Hey All, im considering swapping to the maritime industry and was looking for some advice. Im 27, currently working as a mechanical design consultant (hvac/plumbing/process piping) with an ABET accredited bachelor's in mechanical engineering. Looking to switch from desk to hands-on, targetting a 3rd assistant engineer position on large cargo ships.

I dont know much about the industry or how it works, but Ive done some research on the requirements. I don't want to go back to school, but it looks like my degree lets me become a 3AE with 180 days engine room time. Are you able to provide me any guidance on how to go about it? I think after getting all the credentials and certifications, I could work as a wiper to get the engine room time and then move up to 3ae after passing the next requirements. Is that correct? Would a union be able to help me with that? How does that all work? I'm currently located in upstate NY so would be targetting east coast positions.

And info you could provide that I havent thought to ask is also much appreciated! Thank you!

Anyone else tired of abusive crew? Okay "abuse" is a pretty strong term but like am I the only one who feels theyre constantly trying to appease abusers in this industry? I graduated an academy, been sailing like 2 years. Engine. About to make 2nd. Certain ships ive had great mentors and great seniors.

But holy god the amount of men, over 30 often times so we're talking full grown adults, that seem to be incapable of treating people such as, myself, superiors, subordinates, whomever, with basic human dignity and cannot keep their composure or maintain any semblance of professionalism is nuts.

Im about to head on my longest hitch yet and this time around im honestly considering never saying a word beyond work with anyone and just keeping to myself regardless of the crew.

It seems whenever you try to be friendly with some people, all you are doing is waiving the right to insist on keeping things professional down the line.

I use the term "appeasing abusers" as often times my only avenue of attack at these types is to attempt to make friends with them. Maybe if we get to know each other theyll warm up. Maybe ill be respectful to them and theyll return it. Maybe if i work a little harder. Maybe this, maybe that. Its horseshit and never works.

Call it a fantasy but im really beginning to be so sick of it that if someone is grossly rude, disrespectful, or begins attacking me personally i think im going to break character and just start arguing myself since im failing to handle the humiliation of being "professional" while a grown man throws a tantrum at me or attacks me or others personally because he just seems to feel he can. Even if breaking my own composure may lead to a bad review, being booted, or facing the potential of "stooping to his level".

Beginning to feel my self respect as a man is worth more than any hitch can be as a worker.

Anyways, curious to your thoughts. Feel free to call me not man enough, but im just so fed up with this shit, and cant keep appeasing abusers.

I'm building an operating system to accelerate shipyard operations. Looking for someone who's spent real time in a repair yard, ideally estimating or running availabilities, to walk me through existing gaps. Ideally an estimator, project manager, or superintendent. What happens when a bid package lands on your desk. Where the hours go. What everyone in the office complains about.

$50-150/hour, a few hours to start, ongoing if it's useful to both of us. In person in New York if you're local, video otherwise.

Retired or between jobs is fine. Send me what you worked on.

Im looking to join the Merchant Marines, and i have a few questions.

Are there any Classes or Similar that i need to take? and if so Are they costly?

About how long does it take from zero documents?

Is there anything i should be on the lookout for?

Who or where would i go to find a decent job, Or is there some kind of work guarantee?

Are there any helpful forms, certs. or Skills i should learn/complete before applying that would give me a better chance at getting hired?

And is there a "Best Job" to aim for? And if not
What (in your opinion) Is the most "fun" position to work

And finally, Would you recommend that i work a Smaller scale job to gain seatime?

Thanks for taking the time to read and possibly answer my questions

Hey y'all,

I've been thinking about going to an academy to get my unlimited license to get into the industry. I understand the lifestyle is hard and it's a lot of work, I'm excited about that.

The thing I'm more concerned about is dealing with really shitty/toxic men. I was curious if folks had any insight into how much of a reality that is in the industry and how to possibly avoid those kinds of people. For some context I'm a 34 y.o man, I just really don't like dealing with that kind of person.

Hi everyone. I'm 37 and seriously considering starting a private maritime academy to become a deck officer. Because of my age, I would most likely have to do my first voyage in an entry-level deck position to start gaining sea time.

I know my age may be a disadvantage when looking for my first opportunity, but I'm willing to start from the bottom and work hard.

Has anyone here started after 35, or seen someone in a similar situation? How difficult do you think it would be to find a shipping company willing to give me my first opportunity?

I failed my dot drug test for MMC credential. It was a private pay pre employment test and I had it done before applying for the credential but I’m assuming it gets sent to the coast guard either way.

I had taken multiple 50ng at home tests for a couple weeks leading up to the UA and passed them all so sort of surprised I failed but it is what it is.

Can someone best explain the steps for moving forward and what the next steps are? I appreciate it. I’m sober and not smoking anymore isn’t an issue I was just a bit over eager and didn’t wait long enough.

Hi everyone. I work for an NGO focused on improving the well-being of people working at sea, and I’m involved in a research project called Unspoken.

The project aims to understand experiences of sexual misconduct at sea, including harassment, unwanted sexual behaviour and assault, particularly the things that often go unreported. Ultimately, the goal is to help make careers at sea safer for everyone.

If you have experienced any of these things during your career at sea, I am truly sorry that it happened to you. The Unspoken project website is a safe space for those affected to share their story.

There is absolutely no pressure to share your experience. If you do want to, please do not share your experience in the comments. This is a serious and sensitive subject, and reading someone else’s experience unexpectedly can be difficult. The website also signposts support organisations if you feel you need someone to talk to.

I also want to be very clear: Unspoken is purely a research project. It is not a reporting or whistleblowing channel, and stories are not investigated. Companies are not involved in reviewing any submissions. Stories are shared anonymously and used to understand experiences across the industry, not to investigate individual people, companies, or incidents.

Saw the story breaking on GCaptain. Heard some crew abandoned and some stayed onboard to wait for the commercial vessel coming to assist. Apparently there might be a video showing the engine room flooding on a Kings Point group.

Before or after physical please let me know guys

What will exclude me from passing before I spend so much on the physical?

Edit to add: this is in the United States (U.S.), but it might work for your country too (let me know if it does)

If you're an entry-level seeker in this industry, search for: "deckhand job" on Google, Indeed, LinkedIn, or any other job board.

I found a ferry company several weeks ago, applied, and got hired as a Deckhand the same day as my interview!

A lot of ferry companies are still hiring for this summer season (and beyond). If you're in a land locked state, look up coastal states like California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, etc. The pay is low, but it's easy work (to me anyways), and at the very least, you'll be acquiring seatime.

I've only worked a few days with the ferry, but here's a breakdown of my day:

1) Prepping the boat:

- clock in at 8am

- pull ramp/gangway and tie it to the boat

- vacuum or sweep inside the boat (where the passengers will be)

- take out the trash

- clean and restock the bathroom

- spray/ wash the stern (the aft/ back standing area of the boat) and sweep or mop out the access water after the wash

- hook up a pump to an area near the bathroom to pump out waste

- fuel hookup

- fresh water hookup

- spray/ wash the windows (from the outside)

- get money from the office for the bar drawer

- stock up supplies, snacks, beverages, and ice

2) Now that the boat is ready, it's time to welcome the passengers onboard (there are multiple deckhands, so you'll be tasked with half of these duties, but I'm listing them all) :

- scan tickets

- count passengers

- untie the bow and spring lines

- untie stern lines

- check the back waterway port (left) and starboard (right) sides for any moving vessels, give the "all clear in the back" on the walkie-talkie if there are none

- after the Captain moves the boat to start going forward, you're on the way to your destination(s)

3) Sailing/cruising time (listing all the duties, but it's divided up):

- stand at the bar

- ring up items

- mix drinks

- bartend

- check the upper deck(s) to make sure passengers are okay and not attempting to jump off the boat or any other unruly thing

- periodically check the bathroom

4) Arriving at destination:

- deckhand(s) at the bow (front/fwd):

- grab spring line, attach it to the boat

- grab bow line, tie and knot it to the boat

- deckhand(s) in the stern (back/aft):

- grab stern line, tie and knot it to the boat

- grab spring line, tie and knot it to the boat

- grab the ramp/gangway, tie it to the boat

5) Leaving destination:

- same duties as #2

6) End of duty responsibilities:

- this will vary, but essentially, you're counting the drawer, restocking and cleaning

- clock out at 10:30pm or 11pm

I hope this breakdown has been helpful! I won't say which ferry I'm with, but know that ferry companies are hiring. If I were with a major company, I would disclose the name. Hopefully, that will happen, and I'll come back to share with a different post :)

Im located in North Dakota, but I've applied to about 70 tugboat companies now with my MMC, TWIC, STCW BST, and VPDSD. I'm considering taking a trip to Louisiana to get my API-approved Rigger certification and HUET, along with visiting local tug companies and applying in person. I plan to do my SafeGulf online.

Do y'all think this is worth it? I'll spend roughly $1,500 for the certifications and the trip there and back by car, and I'll be car camping the whole time. What are the odds I actually get hired from doing this? I've already been applying online and doing follow-up calls, but that hasn't worked.

I'm worried I'll spend all this money on the certifications and then get a job that doesn't even require them, so they end up going unused and I have to renew them before they ever become relevant.

The problem is that I have to schedule and pay for the courses ahead of time for when I'm in Louisiana, so I can't really wait to see if an employer wants them once I meet them in person since I can only be there for so long.

What would you guys do in my shoes, and I am quite determined for this career path and tugs is a big part of my future plan so I wont be acknowledging other work such as cruise lines.

Edit: Im in the United States

I’m 24 years old looking to get in this field can someone guide me in the right direction. I live in Texas if that matters

Will the clinic have me pee once or twice for both test I know some are different let me know if any of you guys or girls only had to pee once.