| Author | Message | ||
     David Sheriff Board Administrator Username: admin Post Number: 106 Registered: 01-2004 |
Let me second the reference to Professional Mariner. I have subscribed for over a year. While it's too late for me to embark on the kind of jobs they write about, it's very valuable to see what life is like on the professional side in the USA. Accidents, collisions and rescues are covered well. The degree of skill required to pilot a working boat also amazes me. It has added to my respect for what the professionals do and for the hazards of working on the water. Recreation boaters can experience some of the same hazards. It's really opened my eyes to some best practices. You also get a view of how the Coast Guard operates in crisis situations. I'm also impressed almost beyond belief what some commercial fishermen go through. Operating my 28' sailboat in LA harbor, I've been caught in the propwash of a working tug and pushed at least 50 feet sideways toward a dock in almost less time that it takes to tell the story. I just pulled out in time, but with new respect for the working boat. The tug was on the other side of the channel and I didn't notice the cross current he was generating until I was in it. The professionals are pretty careful in and around the harbor. You can bet they will follow the right-of way rules, but you need to do so too because the freedom of movement of a large ship is much more limited, even with the two or three tugs guiding it. You rarely see one of the tugs really use its power, but its pretty awesome. Many of us have read about what life was like for seamen in the golden ages of sail. Professional Mariner brings the picture up to date. | ||
| Ted Lavino Senior Member Username: tlavino Post Number: 458 Registered: 01-2004 |
I would suggest picking up a copy of Professional Mariner magazine (www.professionalmariner.com). There are advertisements galore for professional training as well as great articles for the professional mariner. Regarding specific training paths, I would suggest visiting the USCG Merchant Mariner Licensing site at http://www.uscg.mil/STCW/index.htm. There in the New Mariners section you will find job descriptions as well as training tracks and experience requirements applicable to each. Good Luck! | ||
| David Sheriff Board Administrator Username: admin Post Number: 81 Registered: 01-2004 |
From email: Hello, my name is Casey Stokes and I currently live in Ketchikan Alaska. I have for the last five years been in the IBEW apprentice wiremans program. I am interested in taking further courses so that I can put myself into a better employment position. Ketchikan is a major hub for commercial fishing boats and I want to find somewhere I can get some marine specific training. Do you know of any courses on the west coast? any must reads I should pick up? Any information would be greatly appreciated |
