3 EASIEST WAYS TO BECOME A MERCHANT MARINE

Check out the 3 Easiest Ways to Join the Merchant Marine..

#merchantmarine #merchantvessel #merchantnavy #merchantmariner #ocean

[JaretVincent]

Academy is still a great option, especially any veterans here with GI Bill left. Near free school, and you’re making over 100k easily.

[vorteco]

I'm doing the SIU apprenticeship. Its a long wait for anyone applying right now. I applied in March 2024 and go to class in January 2025. I hear people are being told this month that they are booked through summer 2026.
The new revised SIU program takes about 14 months with breaks included. 4.5 months school -> 3 months ship -> 4 months ship -> 1.5 months school. Done. There are breaks in between the two ships and after the 2nd ship.

[CodyWright-pqeq]

Damn man, I didn't know all that was available. When I was in my early 20's I really wanted to become a merchant marine, but the research I did told me I had to go to the academy for four years. Thought it was the only way and I wasn't gonna do that. Ended up going to China for 10 years to teach English illegally instead. Can't say I'm bitter because I had a blast. I just remember really wanting to do what you're doing at one point in my life.

[HoneyKrisp]

I went the NCL route last year at Piney Point. We actually get paid to do the training while there, I believe we got paid $1200; and it's only for 1 week now, not 2 weeks. Yes we partied hard, but we took 2 classes per day; firefighting and lifeboat were in the same day for example. The flights and hotels were free. Looking into SIU myself now that my NCL time is over

[AaronErickson-de]

I spent 6.5 years in the USCG and the USN, the only thing I did was take 2 written tests and 1 practical (raising and lowering a miniature life boat) at the MSO and turn in my paper work from the DR. and they gave me my Z-card on the spot! (I brought a passport photo with me)

[vorteco]

The only down side for the NCL route is if you are going to go SIU afterwards. You'll go into SIU with a C book where if you went through the apprenticeship, you come out at a B book. If you aren't going to go into the SIU to work, this point is irrelevant.

[peterpaulpancipanci]

OR Just go to Military sealift command entry level, where you'll get all the basic credentials and a security clearance. (international)
OR get on a tug or fishing boat as a deck hand and get sea time then upgrade that way (coastal) Tug companies like tidewater, Dann marine, Cook Inlet, etc so many options out there and limited shared info

[weldnermarreira]

Oh yeah I was waiting for this!
Thank you for the video man!

[Zonarfubar]

The easiest way is at least to me the simplest way but not the softest or the quickest way and that is to go ahead an enlist in the naval reserve for 3 years’ active duty as either a boatswain’s mate or else a culinary arts specialist which enables you to enter the merchant marine upon discharge rated as either an able bodied seaman, or “AB” or else as chief cook instead of as steward’s assistant. To get rated as an engineman or diesel tech through naval service you most likely need to sign up for four years in the regular navy in order to get the necessary “A” school. Then also you would need to make sure that you’re actually getting the necessary training in diesels instead of gas turbines or steam engines, both of which are not common in the merchant fleet. Most people I worked with in the merchant marine were ex navy so they never had to do the SIU apprentice program. I personally would not want to have to put up with SIU’s apprentice program. Then also if you’re ex navy you have your VA medical card free for life which is better than being forced to ship out twice a year just to have the SIU’s hospitalization kept current.

[mrob]

just finished master captain 25t. Seriously looking like more jobs out there as a mm than a captain unless you want to work tow

[jessesmith]

A year is crazy, if you join the navy you can be a sailor in 2 months lol

[ninjagaming]

Wait I am a little lost. What is the academy for then, is that not needed to be a merchant marine? I am 26 really looking hard into this lifestyle and career field but thought I needed a degree.

[VioletMaeve-ew]

Have you heard of SUNY’s graduate school? You earn your masters of science in maritime and naval studies and they have a deck licensing program. It’s 3 semesters. I’m considering it but it seems hella expensive.

[MMM-vcx]

ive been looking at bluewater but i also see seaschool which would you think is better

[OliverOwens-tm]

is joining the navy or coast guard for a few years and then getting a a merchant marine a option?

[Villlz]

I want to join the industry but the wait at the SIU apprenticeship wait is so long

[CarryMePlz]

How did you get your knee treated? What happens if someone needs urgent care? And when not urgent but in a lot of pain?

[keinaanabdi]

Maybe they have learned from their mistakes I just went through their website they didn’t list any deck or engine jobs. They probably go through the union nowadays

[partyeffectsdotbiz]

need a video on the type of food you eat on the ships asap

[WARRICKY]

Soooo, if I went blue water …. Where would I go to look for jobs after ? Can I go to an SIU union hall for a job if I didn’t go through the apprenticeship program. You’re the man.