Reply With QuoteCan you? Theoretically yes, actual probability of such, very unlikely.Originally Posted by Mitch55
As far as what kind of work comes through the Mobile hall, if you live close, go in and talk to them! Nice guys in there last time I was down there.
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gCaptain Crew
Join SIU
Hello i was wondering if i join the SIU without going to there school thing with MMC,BST and TWIC can i find entry work? I realy want to work Deepsea and travel the world, i am willing to sit in that hall everyday if i have to for months. I live near the Moblie AL port do they get deep sea work( Like cargo Ships ) ?
Old Salt
Re: Join SIU
Can you? Theoretically yes, actual probability of such, very unlikely.
As far as what kind of work comes through the Mobile hall, if you live close, go in and talk to them! Nice guys in there last time I was down there.
If you can't laugh at yourself, you're going to miss out on all the fun everyone else is having.
Top Contributer
Yes you can. 30 years ago I did.... But, times are tight now. You may be sitting for quite a while. Or you will get the shitty berths.
gCaptain Crew
Re: Join SIU
[QUOTE=Cal;55841] actual probability of such, very unlikely.
[QUOTE]
I mean is it impossible to find entry work as a new member, even if i sit in the hall everyday for a few months? Im willing to put in the time i just want to work at sea.
Top Contributer
Re: Join SIU
[QUOTE=Mitch55;55845][QUOTE=Cal;55841] actual probability of such, very unlikely.
From just before Thanksgiving through Christmas will be the easiest time to catch a ship. Good luck!I mean is it impossible to find entry work as a new member, even if i sit in the hall everyday for a few months? Im willing to put in the time i just want to work at sea.
Old Salt
Operative phrase guys, "without going through their school".
If you can't laugh at yourself, you're going to miss out on all the fun everyone else is having.
Top Contributer
Re: Join SIU
The guys out of the UA program start off with a B book. C books can't be pickey.
gCaptain Crew
Re: Join SIU
Cappy, unfortunately, things have changed a lot since they started their school. SIU is so stacked with As and Bs, Cs don't stand much of a chance. In 91, I shipped in 1 week out of Houston. With 108 registered, on beach in Aug, last Log I have, you wouldn't get it. But, who knows. I would look elsewhere, personally.
gCaptain Crew
Re: Join SIU
Where else is there to look i realy want to work on cargo ships and travel the world. I love the sea but it seems like all of the cargo companys run closed shops for SIU. How can i find a job on a deep sea ship with just BST,MMC, TWIC?
Old Salt
Try Military Sealift Command. It can take several months to hear from them.
Old Salt
Re: Join SIU
Like DeckApe said. apply at MSC. but also sit in the SIU hall. If you are going to sit, you might as well sit in a place where there is a slight possibility of getting out.
Top Contributer
Re: Join SIU
Mitch: here is a short scenario of what happens. A company with a tug in either, Mobile, Pascagoula, or maybe even NOLA will need a deckhand. To conform to their Union rules (to hire from the hall when possible) they will give the hall a call. Typically the hall will have no one right there, standing by to answer the call, so the company will then turn the rolodex over to get the first resume they have in the file. If you are there, and no one else is..... YOU will get a whack at a job.
gCaptain Crew
Re: Join SIU
Cool thanks guys, and cappy208 since you seem to know alot about SIU how to the overseas jobs work? Are those jobs easyer to get, or are they more popular and hard to get? Sorry for so many questions im just trying to learn as much as i can before diving in head first into the merchant marines.
Old Salt
Re: Join SIU
LOL!!!! You've got actual SIU members posting and providing you with information but are hearing what you want to hear. First piece of advice to being a Merchant Mariner, LISTEN!
While cappy is very knowledgeable, a significant contributor, and an excellent resource on this board he is neither an SIU member nor does he work deep sea (neither am I, nor do I). My advice comes from attempting to do exactly what you state you want to do, sail deep sea with SIU without going through their apprenticeship program. I found work elsewhere before that ever came to fruition. Secondly, the advice comes from helping my son get through their Paul Hall program and subsequently sailing overseas with them.
With his B book and filling an OS slot while holding his AB ticket during his last hitch, my son will have been sitting on the beach for a year if he doesn't ship out by the end of next month. And he's not the only one....
If you can't laugh at yourself, you're going to miss out on all the fun everyone else is having.
gCaptain Crew
Re: Join SIU
Cal hit it on the head. Here is a link to Seafarers: http://www.seafarers.org/seafarerslog/seafarerslog.asp Look at the dispatch page. All those A &B book guys registered, on the beach, they get first crack at any job that comes through. Notice the Cs? That's your group. Best advice is above if you're so bound and determined to go to sea, check out MSC. Surf this forum and the net and get some other ideas. Take your time and learn what you need to do to get your foot in the door. And as Cal said, "listen". Sincerely, best of luck to you.
Horatio (October 10th, 2011)
Old Salt
Years ago I tried, and succeeded, to do what you are now thinking of doing. That is, to ship with SIU as an ordinary seaman with no B-book and no deck experience and not go threw the SIU apprentice program. I must warn you that the path you want to take will be a frustrating waste of too much of your time and even if you succeed as I did you will look back on it as a mistake.
I recommend applying to both the SIU apprentice program and Military Sealift Command now. While you wait for either of those to contact you go ahead and try other avenues such as sitting in a hall or looking for work in the fishing, ferry or oil patch. Accept any job. When finally contacted by SIU or MSC go to them for a few years until you are 'experienced'.
The economy is in bad shape. Shipping has taken a nasty hit. A great many mariners with far more experience than you are job hunting. You will need a lot of patience and perseverance - or pure luck - to succeed.
Good luck!
Last edited by DeckApe; October 3rd, 2011 at 07:24 AM.
Horatio (October 6th, 2011)
gCaptain Crew
Re: Join SIU
Yeah i wish the economy was better its a bad time to be my age, But thanks for all the help. Im probably just gonna end up joining the army and hope that things improve by the time i get out.
And lol thanks for being patient with me Cal.
Old Salt
Re: Join SIU
That's another avenue to sailing. The Army has ships! the Corps of Engineers has ships with active duty Army sailors aboard. There's your experience and a paycheck while serving your country.
Old Salt
It's $500 a year paid quarterly, or $125 every three months.
Horatio (October 11th, 2011)
Top Contributer
Re: Join SIU
Also, if you don't pay the initiation fee up front, you can pay it out quarterly. When I joined in the early '80s, it was $600. I think it's $1K now.
Horatio (October 11th, 2011)
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