US Tramp Ships?

**matedon** · May 2nd, 2011, 11:56 PM

Has any one know of any any non-union tramp shipping companies or ships? I've always wanted to work on a tramp ship at least for a little while regard less of pay,just for the experience. Any ideas?

**c.captain** · May 3rd, 2011, 01:09 AM

If anybody here suggests for one minute to tryTransAtlantic Lines, do not, I repeat DO NOT, consider working for them no matter how much you want the "expereince". They are a scumbag scab bunch extraordinare run by a punk named Gudmundor Gveltafish (or something similar) with filthy miserable unseaworthy ships that were too shitty even for the Chinese to sail! I am not making this up. They use their labor like serfs.

I am sure that there are many on here who will support my opinions of them and doubt that there are any that will not.

My suggestion to you is to sail for the MercyShips fleet. You donate your time but you are helping a humanitarian cause which to me is very commendable for all who do. If I was very young again, I might sail for awhile with them.

Good luck

**salt'n steel** · May 3rd, 2011, 09:02 AM

Matedon,

Try United Ocean Services (former TECO) out of Tampa. They have 3 bulkers that sail international. Old ships but good people to work for. c.captain is dead on with TransAtlantic - can't believe they are still around. Those who have been with them would probably say the experience was not career enhancing. Another option if your looking for adventure is to try and sail foreign flag. Ive met a few that went that route. Long hitches (9 months) and the pay was a little lower but you will get some good experience. Good Luck.

**SailorDaniel** · May 3rd, 2011, 12:40 PM

For some of us greener guys on here.....What is a tramp ship?

**DeckApe** · May 3rd, 2011, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by SailorDaniel

For some of us greener guys on here.....What is a tramp ship?

A ship for hire with no set runs. Think of a tramp like a taxi. Someone hires you to go somewhere, then when you get there you look for another fare. Common in other parts of the world but rare these days in the United States.

**KennyW1983** · May 4th, 2011, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by salt'n steel

Matedon,

Try United Ocean Services (former TECO) out of Tampa. They have 3 bulkers that sail international. Old ships but good people to work for. c.captain is dead on with TransAtlantic - can't believe they are still around. Those who have been with them would probably say the experience was not career enhancing. Another option if your looking for adventure is to try and sail foreign flag. Ive met a few that went that route. Long hitches (9 months) and the pay was a little lower but you will get some good experience. Good Luck.

That was going to be my suggestion. I worked on one of their tugs for a few years. Their equipment was in good shape, the boats were clean, and crew change was predictable. Rotations were 90/90 for the ships when I worked there they may be different now.

They have a few ATB tugs that go forgein as well South America and the West coast of Africa and the occasional trip to Europe. The tugs did 45/45.

Most of their trips start or end in the GOM.

**New3M** · May 4th, 2011, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by salt'n steel

Matedon,

Another option if your looking for adventure is to try and sail foreign flag. Ive met a few that went that route. Long hitches (9 months) and the pay was a little lower but you will get some good experience. Good Luck.

A little lower? I did the foreign flag route for a trip - the C/M was making less than 3/M pay. And that was for a good foreign company.