Should I Become a Merchant Mariner? (Pros & Cons)

Hello everyone...many of yu out there are considering becoming Merchant Mariners, and in this video I will help you make your decision with some information from my experience in the industry.
This job is not for most people, but if you are seriously considering it then watch this video and other videos on this channel to see all about this job. Good luck.

[ΆγιοςΠολεμιστής]

I’m 22 years old and really don’t have a direction in life. Never went to college and worked for my local police department straight out of high school (worked as a civilian for 2 years and as a police officer for a little over a year). Other than my parents and siblings, I feel like there is nothing left for me here in my current home state.

With that being said, the work and lifestyle of a Merchant Mariner career path has been an interest of mine for a few months now and I’m planning on attending the SIU apprenticeship program. Thank you for posting this video as weighing the pros and cons of the job has been the one thing holding me back from making any final decisions.

[montecarlor]

Greetings Jeff, I am from Costa Rica and I work as a sailor like you, Greek companies one of the things that must also be taken into account is that to be a sailor you have to have an iron stomach because when there is bad weather the waves shake the boat as if it was a toy .. thanks for your videos jeff they are very interesting

[mehardies]

Jeff, thanks for putting this info out there for the masses. I have two sons very strongly considering the merchant marines (my oldest as a rated guy & my youngest wants to become a deck officer). Regarding my oldest, he has very mild autism and is kind of socially awkward. From everything I've seen about being a mariner, I think he would fit really well as an SA because he loves routine and seems to do very well doing the same things day in and day out. He actually likes routine much more than a constantly changing work environment because he can struggle to understand directions if he doesn't hear them a few times (something supervisors can quickly get tired of). At home, he also spends a majority of his day, when not in class, isolating himself in his room.

My biggest concern with encouraging him to pursue the SIU apprenticeship (which I very much do right now) is how the crews will see his social awkwardness and if they will essentially pick on him to the point of absolute misery. From a majority of the crews you've been with, would you say they will likely pick on him at first and then eventually ease up, or do many of the guys make it their mission to drive someone to the brink?

Any insight to your world would be very helpful and greatly appreciated!

[SlashvsAdamSadler]

I waited my entire life for this moment, but never made the big jump (not enough school credentials, took different opprotunities/paths in life, I also worked as longshoreman in my teens)

I finally kicked my butt after 10 years of dreaming about it and signed up for the academy . I'm starting Monday and I just can't wait .

[MYPSYAI]

Im ex-navy, im middle aged and divorced now and this seems like the most logical choice for my future but i've been debating it back and forth in my mind. Thanks for your thoughts on the matter it's good food for thought.

[captainrick]

Great Info! Thanks for sharing! Thank you for all you do!😎👍

[stevenbragg]

Looking for a career change. This is perfect for me. Reminds me of my time in the army and how that life style works.

[brianhowe]

I'm a veteran of the USMC, I'm 30 turning 31 soon, and I've hit a wall at work in both pay and advancement. Even the lower pay of the unlicensed guys would be a raise for me. This genuinely might be a saving grace for me.

[richqualls]

Question to talk about in the future-
1. Age from the youngest to the oldest- pros and cons. What is the oldest age you can work on a ship?
2. Physical health concerns to keep in mind before taking on a job?
3. What do you do if they’re is serious emergencies at home?
4. Advantages to speaking different languages?
5. If you are sick aboard the ship do you get paid if you are sick in bed?
6. Are allowed to eat as much as you want aboard the ship?

[richardspillers]

Single, no kids, can I stay out longer than the minimum? I'm no stranger to being gone.

[RobertNPross]

I Watched a couple of you guys videos. Late last year thinking about making a career change. Thank you for your videos. I'm an Over the road truck Driver. I still feel that your industry I would have done well. I also feel your career is great for alot of people that would like to Travel and have the discipline to learn online.

[GitzenShiggles]

I was in the Norwegian Navy and then served in the U.S Navy when I was naturalized. I belong on the sea but I fear I'm too old now at 57. I would be an asset to any floating kitchen.

[HyperActive]

I think the biggest factor when choosing any career is do you have a passion for it and will it make you happy in the long run or are you ready to weigh the pros and the cons. If you're telling me you only work six months out of the year, that means pay is good and you can obviously live decently if you apply yourself. There's another important point you brought up and that is the ship isn't going to turn around for you because it has to meet a tight time schedule it was on long before you came aboard.

[paullangland]

I just recently spent the last 2 years thinking about it and studying about it, but I am considering pursuing a career in the Merchant Marines. I just graduated college and honestly I have had this interest in hoping on a ship and working as a grunt on the ship. I understand it has a lot of cons like being away from family or my home, but I have a girlfriend whom I am in a very serious relationship and she supports my dream of doing this. I'm already separated from her with a 2 hour driving time already. I understand it isn't an easy job or lifestyle but I still want to give it a try. Anyways, I live close to Lake Superior on the Wisconsin side and there are Merchant Marines who work on the Great Lakes so I am familiar with the occupation. Anyways thanks for giving an honest video. I still hope I can pursue a career with the merchant marines. For me, it's not exactly the money that is motivating me although it's kind of in my mind, but I just want to travel the world. I want to see different countries, while also making a good enough living to pay off some off some of my debts and save some cash for a better financial security.

I have been working in manufacturing now as a worker bee and I'd like to take those work skills into maybe the deck department. I have done a wide variety of jobs already ranging from repetitive tasks, to loading up trucks and boxes, to operating even a forklift. I don't know how much of that would carry over but I feel confident I can still go into this career, meeting all the physical demands of the job. And I know there would people I might not like but in my mind, my room on the ship would be my home away from home where I can decompress. So hopefully I can get into this line of work and maybe enjoy it.

[jeromemorris]

We’ll stated views Jeff. You’ve covered all the bases from my past experiences working with Mobil years ago. It’s easy work, but it’s not easy by any stretch. Thanks.

[jamesroutledge]

Excellent advice for anyone thinking of entering the marine industry, very clear and informative. Great vid Jeff 👍

[STaylor]

I am a Army vet and kinda bounced around from job to job ranging from commercial HVAC to currently in the wind industry working on wind turbines which is great money but none of it has ever been a passion of mine its just here I am to work and make money but could care less about actually liking it. I have always been at peace around water and the ocean in general and obviously hard work never bothered me so I am kind of a jack of all trades with experience in different blue collar fields and this is something that actually makes me think in a positive way and could see myself actually having a passion for.

[wyattandwill]

Great video. Especially if I could just do one or two voyages, it would be a great way to pay off my debt then save up a good emergency fund, then after that go back to having a normal job.

Someone on YouTube said they made $18K on a 65 day grain ship before taxes. That’s also not including vacation pay.

Where I’m at now I get paid $11.50/hr and get 36hr/week. Taking 20% of taxes out of that $18K is still easily $14K vs $3.3K for the same amount of time. Over 4x the pay and that was a lower paying contract.

[lilcarti]

Hey Jeff been seeing you reply to people so hope you see this but i’m 21 and this job seems truly interesting to me. i have been working as an EMT for 2 years and have experience working 24 hour shifts and sleeping in uncomfortable quarters, sometimes being stuck with coworkers that weren’t the greatest, so i’ve learned some life lessons gratefully. i love to travel and don’t mind leaving home behind, i live at the beach and see ships everyday and wonder how i would like this. i feel pulled to travel and this seems like a great adventure. my only concern based off my research would be having to be stuck with a bad crew, what has your experience been? Thanks Jeff

[TheHylianBatman]

A great video.
I've been giving a lot of thought to doing this. I wouldn't want to do it for another couple of years, but it sounds like it'd be both a blessing and a curse. It might be in my future.
I'll have to watch that other video and do some more looking into things. I'll need an answer before I start, of course.