How to get a job on a TUGBOAT! Everything you need to know!!

So in my last tugboat video I had 100’s of questions on how to get a job as a deckhand on a tugboat. In this video I go over everything you need to know to get your merchant Mariners credential and apply for jobs on a tugboat. I even give some insights on how to succeed once you have your first job.

And tell them Tug Trash sent you!

[samuelrice]

I’ve been sailing for 18 years on tankers. And I absolutely appreciate and approve of this video. Great info and he kept it simple, and easy to understand.

[patrickgreen]

Same principles apply to most professions! Different certifications, but show up, be quiet, listen, work hard, be respectful, polite- 35 years as a policeman. Awesome video Ian.

[dilboteebaggins]

After being in the USCG and USN, I never thought I'd come across another "Sea Daddy". Cheers to Tug Trash Outdoors.

[saenole]

Your advice on how to conduct yourself as a new hire is universally applicable to most, if not all, jobs. No one likes a know-it-all no matter what the situation. Some of the best advice I ever got as a young rookie lawyer was from the senior law partner who was fifty years older than me. He also gave me some Datil pepper plants to plant in my yard. One of his sayings is that things are hardly ever as bad or good as you first think they are. This is true.

[BoWeihl-fbyh]

When I first started repairing forklifts, the company put me with the most cantankerous grumpy person I ever met. I thought the company was trying to get me to quit. I listened, learned and tried to stay one step ahead of him without being told. He taught me a lot. Not only forklifts but life in general. He always told me “ don’t make the same mistakes I did boy”. We ended up becoming good friends. He taught me a lot about everything he knew. I am retired now at 54 and try to share what I learned thru life. RIP Bob!

[Bluemoon]

Had a friend who was a Capt on ocean tugs. He explained his work as 99% boredom and 1% terror. Rip Richard, Gone too early.

[lawrencejneuser]

I wish I had somebody in the family that did what you do. 30 years ago I could have just jumped right into it, instead I ended up doing truck driving. When you're tired all you have to do is go find your bunk, truck driving you got to find a place to pull over someplace where the DOT ain't bothering you. And then you could be 1500 miles from home. By the way good video. Larry

[westmichiganfishing]

Your tips are universals for most all jobs.

[GeofJohnson-xbux]

Head down, ears open, opinions to yourself. Words to work by for a beginner for sure. Gonna make my 14 son watch this one

[freakerhunter]

I did Alaskan King crab fishing for 8 years. What you see on the shows is what’s it’s like minus the reality TV BS but being up 17-24 hours strait freezing cold hungry nauseous and being in constant pain etc. I learned a lot from a guy named Wade he was the meanest and most grumpy guy to everyone else but me because I gave him respect and knew the rule. “Know your role and shut your hole”. He also joked with me saying “you’re a giant 6’6 Ogre who could kick my ass” 🤣🤣 I guess being a big dude helped haha love the videos man God Bless.

[davidasimkosr]

You have definitely explained your life in a hand bag... Being away from family is the hardest part of your life.God Bless you for what you do....

[puddlejumper]

All very good advice! Excellent words of wisdom. Love the advice about paying attention to grouchy old man! So true in everything, not only on a tug.

[LivingTheLifeOutdoors]

Well said! Great video!! “Shower!” - it’s funny to me that you have to put that in, but some people must not shower. 😂

[SmittyAccess]

I got my start working offshore on anchor, handling tugboats. I’m glad I did it, really makes me appreciate the job a do now, but I wouldn’t do it again. I work on drilling, rigs and production platforms now as a third-party rope access tech a whole lot more fun more money. And you were absolutely right. If you don’t have a solid homefront, it makes this job extremely hard my wife and kids don’t like me leaving but very supportive and it makes it a whole Lotta easier.

[edbak]

Was in the Navy for six years. Always thought you guys were the toughest SOB's in the fleet. Love your video's.

[calvinheisten]

Really well done Video. Couldn't have been more clearer for the amount of time you had.

[thecamocanoe]

I was actually wondering just last week how one would get into the industry while watching one of your older tug videos. I gotta say, this was probably one of the best videos explaining the process of getting into any sort of industry I’ve seen. Cut to the chase, no long winded non important stuff. And the tip of actually listening to the old grouchy guy is spot on with almost any career path.
Great video.

[jamess]

Really enjoy your videos. It's funny because I've been in a large city Fire Department for over 20 years now and everything you mentioned regarding new deckhands on the boat is the exact same thing I tell each of our new rookies coming into the firehouse. Funny how a lot of the common sense behaviors and work ethics we take for granted and were instilled in us by our elders have been lost. But that may just be the old grumpy guy in me coming out and I'm sure our grandparents were saying the same thing about us when we were growing up, lol!! Enjoy and be safe out there

[REDdirtMafia]

Im 39 and made a career change from union carpenter to working on a tugboat..i grew up deep sea fishing days at a time but i always loved building things so career wise i joined the carpenter’s union (18 yrs) yet out on the ocean is where i would find my peace and the most at home..i thought about working on the tugboats that i would see from my jobsite everyday and said i need to do this better now or never so got the twic card, mmc and joined the boatman’s union just started applying to jobs..your videos really help realize this is for me and i would love that way of life on the sea..im glad i can cook my butt off knowing that would help win the crew over😂..Aloha and Mahalos🤙🏽

[jillian]

such a good honest dude this is why i watch and follow you man just great heart willing to share it with the world love that god bless see u next time my man!