Sailing Foreign Flag

**3m07** · July 18th, 2008, 03:16 PM

I'm tired of the AMO BS and don't want to sit in a MMP union hall. Offshore looks boring as hell. I started this career thinking I'd see the world and so far all I've seen are a few domestic refineries. Money isn't as important to me as getting experience and some sort of adventure so what is my best option for seeing the world and living the dream? <div>From what I hear you can easily get a Panamanian license and get a job on a foreign ship. Is this idea realistic and how do I go about signing up?</div> <div>-Mike</div>

**El Capitan** · July 18th, 2008, 03:59 PM

Where has AMO had you stuck away at? Your a few decades too late for tramp steaming, and most of those relics are laid up in the reserve fleet, or in your Fusion razor. There are a few last bastions of adventure left, the question is, how much are you willing to trade money for experience? "Seeing the world, and living the dream" don't necessarily go together, it depends as to what's important to you at this stage of your career. Give us a little more info about yourself: i.e. which school did you graduate from, where have you worked since graduation, which offshore company have you worked for in the past, etc., etc., etc.,? We'll do our best to point you in the right direction...

**captpugwash** · July 18th, 2008, 04:14 PM

You could get a job on a Vaseline tanker.I have a friend on the "Bu Fu Maru"and he says that they are hiring.Pays not great but the benefits are attractive,if thats your thing.

**cmjeff** · July 18th, 2008, 06:59 PM

Pug, you have to be kidding me with that answer. Take that BS back to bootcamp a$$h@!3, some people are trying to learn something here.

**El Capitan** · July 18th, 2008, 11:32 PM

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL....CaptPugWash....thanks for adding a little levity to the sometimes all too serious discussions here! I think 3M07 is actually trying to get away from that position, remember, he said he was already sailing with AMO. Let's find the man another job guys....

**3m07** · July 19th, 2008, 01:46 AM

thanks for the help guys. I graduated just over a year ago and have
only worked tankers. I never have worked offshore but I'm really
not looking to stay in one place for too long. Not much else to my past
really.

**El Capitan** · July 19th, 2008, 02:01 AM

3M07, Is money a big issue at this point, or are you just looking for some adventure. If you can take a year off, I know the "Africa Mercy" is looking for a 3rd Officer. I think there adventure will be an understatement, and you'll be helping a great cause as well. If that doesn't do it for you, then I would suggest one of the larger "Offshore" companies in the GOM with a large specialty vessel presence (Chouest, Candies, Hornbeck), that have a lot going on overseas. These positions are generally very non-traditional, so you'll get a lot of hands on experience, and a lot of shiphandling time...usually in some pretty far off places. Tell us your thoughts...

**captpugwash** · July 19th, 2008, 02:10 AM

I think cmjeff needs a nap!!

JP · July 25th, 2008, 12:42 PM

I'd like to jump in here if I can... how does one get on with those companies you mentioned- Chouest, Otto Candies, Hornbeck??? They all say they do not have any work available overseas and even that they are not hiring for the Gulf at the moment. I have over 20 years experience, hold a 1600 master oceans, 2nd mate unlimited and working last 6 years as DPO. Whats the secret to getting someone interested enough to talk to you? Once you're worked overseas it seems the Gulf is not worth it at all anymore. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this from anyone JP