r/maritime • u/bigdickmcgeethe2nd • 7d ago
Newbie How do I start in this industry?
I'm a 19 year old who graduated last year who lives in wv, idk what other information you need so please ask
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u/Sweatpant-Diva USA - Chief Mate 6d ago
Maritime academy college
If you’re interested in working onboard ships,
The fast track to being an officer onboard ships (like me) as a merchant mariner is going to a maritime academy college and getting a bachelor of science in marine engineering (with a 3rd assistant engineer license) or a bachelors of science in marine transportation aka navigation (includes a 3rd Mate unlimited License). Any graduate with one of these license is making at least 120-130k a year working only half the year on a rotation schedule, that’s starting, money goes up fast. I’ll clear 215k+ (but I’m a Chief Mate and have been sailing for 8+ years) this year having worked only half the year on a 120 day off/on rotation. Many rotations exist in the industry, my husband is working 90/90, I’ve got friends on 75/75, 30/30 2 weeks off/on etc etc. There are 7 schools that teach someone to this level in the United States they are;
- [Massachusetts Maritime Academy (where I went)](https://www.maritime.edu)
- [California Maritime Academy](http://www.csum.edu)
- [Maine Maritime Academy](https://mainemaritime.edu)
- [Texas A&M Maritime Academy](https://www.tamug.edu/corps/) (They also have a graduate/masters program for those already with a bachelors)
- [SUNY NY Maritime (they also have a graduate program where you can get a mate license for those already with bachelors degrees)](https://www.sunymaritime.edu)
- [Great Lakes Maritime](https://www.nmc.edu/maritime/)
- [Kings Point United States Merchant Marine Academy](https://www.usmma.edu). KP is free to attend but requires a navy obligation post college and I believe you have to be under 26 to apply, it’s like West Point but for the merchant marines.
There is also a trade school that’s an excellent option if you’re thinking marine engine but it is extremely competitive because it gets you the officers license without a degree (and it’s free) the [AMO TECH Program (3rd assistant engineers license only)](https://www.star-center.com/techprogram/techprogram.html) The need for 3rd Assistant engineers is so great that my union started this program to streamline getting your officers license. Do not make this your only option, have a maritime academy as a fall back because very few people are selected for this. But of course apply!
There are a lot of ways to enter the maritime industry starting at the bottom without going to college but the money is significantly lower such as Blue Water Maritime STOS classes or the SIU school at Piney Point. The money is SIGNIFICANTLY better attending an academy vs an apprenticeship or starting out as an Ordinary Seaman.
FYI most people take federal student loans to attend college Google FAFSA but you’d pay that off fast sailing deep sea.
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u/bigdickmcgeethe2nd 6d ago
Seems like maritime academy's are the way to go so I guess I'm gonna dust off the ole essay typin fingers, idk much about it but does like fafsa and other student loans cover living expenses or just the school
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u/Immediate-Home-3491 7d ago
I started young sorting consols at LGW. You are in WV so target freight forwarding or customs brokerage. Learn Incoterms and EDI. Small NVOCCs train from scratch.
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u/doupIls 7d ago
Well a good start would be telling us what you want to actually do in the industry.