HOW MUCH I MAKE WORKING ON SHIPS | US MERCHANT MARINER PAY | SAILOR'S WAGE EXPLAINED

After 1000 questions asking how much I make working on ships, I open my files and reveal my pay. First things first though, I'm going to need to explain how sailors get paid!

#merchantmarine #sailor #lifeatsea

[donrodriguez]

19 years so far, more than 50 countries . its the best job I have ever had . every ship is different in pay, leadership and attitude . base pay, penalty pay, hazard pay, ammo pay, overtime pay, it adds up . if you are someone that does not know what you want to do in life go get your twic, passport and mmc . you can ship, make money until you figure out what you want to do in life . its a life changer for sure .

[AntonAtan]

For those that don't want to watch the whole video he made the equivalent of $34.5 - 39 an hour if you work 8 hours a day which sounds great but he didnt go home for months at a time.

[dancollins]

I was making $223k a year as a captain on the great lakes. Loved every minute of it. Battled through some rough seas. Met lots of good people.

[Swampfox]

I got into the Merchant Marine in the 1980s, and it seems so much simpler when I sailed. Never got rich, but then again I went to sea to "see the sea" and get the hell away from society. Saw amazing sights, met amazing people. Did it for 15 years, would not trade a single second of it for the world. Keep the wind at your back. Joe.

[ronjurgs]

Retired merchant marine officer here. What you get paid is complicated. Basically you get paid a daily rate, as per your contract, and then you get so much per day of vacation pay. Your vacation pay also depends on your contract. All of this depends on the company and/or the ship you are working on. In my case I was also contributing some to my pension plan, along with the company. Now that I've been retired for 4 years I've gotten back all the money I put into the pension plan over the years and then some. The pension money keeps coming in every month and that's money that I worked for years ago and am still collecting today. That doesn't even include the matching money that went into my IRA account. I have to admit that I worked until I was 70 before I retired but the end result is that between social security and my pension I don't even have to touch my IRA for living expenses. I don't think there's too many jobs out there anymore that has pay like that. Did I mention that while I was working I got 5 to 6 months of vacation every year? I don't think McDonald's pays that well.

[chaseandkill]

Joe, love your videos. Could you possibly break down the command structure and staffing on one of these ships? Everything from the chain of command, to the different jobs people get, to how many people are typically staffing one of these. That would be a super informative video, if not several videos.

[andytodd]

So glad I found this channel. Always thought about this as a career. Now I’ve got two kids and doubt I could handle the time away. Keep up the good work and thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[goonchoom]

Best maritime channel on YouTube. I've watched almost every video and I only discovered the channel last week. I've always dreamed of doing what you do, but I'm married with a kid now, living the 9-5 life. Keep the videos coming! You've a real talent for this - great editing, excellent content. Fair winds and following seas!

[heartandmindovercome]

7 minutes in... "Bro! For the love of God How much do you make?!?!"

[PG-kuqd]

Joe, You're a very chill guy, and watching what you do is interesting not just because of the way you tell us about it, but it's really an unusual job compared to what most of us do. Love your attitude, and I'll check out your other channel. Peace out, brother!

[Johnthedagger]

Was US Navy for almost 30 years and almost went Merchant Marine after retirement but took the most money doing something else. Have tremendous respect for what you and merchant seamen do for Americans and I've spent quite a long time on ships at sea and it's not for everyone but it's an exciting life spent hard at work (sometimes not so much😁) and not cooped up in some building or factory. Best of luck in your adventures brother mariner and fair winds and following seas <hand salute>

[vincestubbs]

My father was a merchant seaman. WWII Atlantic & Mediterranean convoy vet. Retired in the late 70's with an unlimited tonnage license. Specialized in super tankers. Even with a master's license, he preferred first mate because the union allowed him to work overtime. His last deep water job was as the master of an ocean going tug towing a converted WWII LST to and from Jacksonville FL & San Juan PR. He sailed thru the Bermuda Triangle four times a month and had some opinions about the region. He said all the superstition about the triangle is bunk. He said the weather in the reagion is dynamic, changes are sudden, violent and the ocean will swallow you without a trace. It happens all over the world.

[masterselectrical]

Love your honesty, doing something you really enjoy

[RichFerreiraIns]

You are very genuine and straight forward. I found it easy to watch. Good job.

[janieness]

My great uncle who was Norwegian, was a merchant marine from around 1900 to 1926. I still have photos that I think are just really cool. I’ve just stumbled onto your channel and have found it to be so interesting. Glad you set this up and interested as to how and why you chose this as a career…and how you decide from job to job. Your channel is very interesting.

[gw]

You build your dream than you live it, that is how you live life. I had a stellar career and at 55 I walked away to go be a small time farmer in Ecuador, never be afraid of change.

[capt.redbeard]

I'm probably 10 years your senior - maybe more - but you're so right: don't do it for the money. Live a life of adventure, not quiet desperation. Great video, Joe!

[timrapp]

As a retired pilot (airline, not marine), looking back, it was always - always the life style that made or broke a particular job. Fun to watch Joe. Bon Courage ;)

[Pa]

Hi Joe! New to your channel. My grandfather was a Merchant Marine during WWII. He left Philadelphia at the age of 16, back then they didn't check ages and stuff, but the stories he used to tell were phenomenal! I really appreciated your stories as well. It brought back a lot of good memories for me. Stay safe, and here's to good sailing! Cheers!!

[jamesfleenor]

I was in the Navy years ago and the only time I really enjoyed being in was when we were underway. Being deployed was the best time ever. The time sitting in our home port was almost like everyone had too much time on their hands and seemed to come up with dumb stuff. When we out to sea everyone was focused on their job and we were going somewhere new and that was what I loved about it seeing new places. You are right it is about the lifestyle completely. I got to see amazing places at a very young age when most everyone I went to school with had never been out of state much less half way around the world before I was 19. Life at sea can be a real eye opener too as you get to see how the rest of the world really is first hand and it will amaze you.