Workboat Academy - The Facts

[Workboat_Academy-Guru]

The Workboat Academy offers a two year vocational maritime training program that provides intensive professional training to become an officer on Tugboats, Research Vessels and/or Offshore Supply Vessels.

There has been a substantial amount of discussion and views (over 5,000) on the topic of the Workboat Academy, however there really hasn't been an authority on the program available to really answer the questions.

The Workboat Academy is absolutely not for everyone. The Hawsepipe and the Maritime Academies may be much better suited to you. That being said, in order for you to make an informed decision, I am opening up this discussion to answer any specific question you may have.

Gregg Trunnell
Director, Workboat Academy
Seattle, Baltimore, New Orleans

[Knotsman]

The Workboat Academy offers a two year vocational maritime training program that provides intensive professional training to become an officer on Tugboats, Research Vessels and/or Offshore Supply Vessels.

There has been a substantial amount of discussion and views (over 5,000) on the topic of the Workboat Academy, however there really hasn't been an authority on the program available to really answer the questions.

The Workboat Academy is absolutely not for everyone. The Hawsepipe and the Maritime Academies may be much better suited to you. That being said, in order for you to make an informed decision, I am opening up this discussion to answer any specific question you may have.

Gregg Trunnell
Director, Workboat Academy
Seattle, Baltimore, New Orleans

Gregg, thank you for posting this. I believe we met briefly when I came up to meet with Marja regarding the program. She has been very helpful, but I hate bugging her too much as I know she has many applicants to juggle. I feel like I'm in pretty good hands moving forward, but there's still some unknowns that I'd like to figure out. I'm sure most will be answered once I'm paired up with a sponsoring organization. Can you speak to how most companies handle the scheduling of the cadets during sea phases? In other words, should I anticipate being on a typical tug schedule or are they going to attach me to a boat for a longer period of time. I personally am flexible, but I need to "prepare" my wife for what to expect. And, I don't mind traveling to a job, but was curious if I should expect travel reimbursement working as a cadet. I'd love to do some deck time in various places, but was curious about how it will affect my schooling budget. Feel free to PM me as well.

[Workboat_Academy-Guru]

Essentially, the companies are going to do their best to work around the WA schedule. If you are getting placed in Seattle, then you will work a 2 month on / 2 month off rotation. The Gulf Coast is the same, however MITAGS runs longer sea-phase schedules.

Given the voyages, it is rare that you will get exactly two month's sea-time, or know exactly when (within) the two month sea-phase that you will be home vs. sea. We try and provide a minimum of one week on either side of the sea-time schedule, to accommodate the companies schedules. so for budgeting, factor worse case scenario one week before the voyage and one week after the voyage to be away from home. It will be rare, but that is the only 'safe' way of ensuring when you your family will be able to schedule around your sea-time.

Hope that is helpful.

[Workboat_Academy-Guru]

You can find out much more information about the Workboat Academy at:

http://www.workboatacademy.com
http://www.facebook.com/workboatacademy

[SeaSick]

PMI used to have cookies. What happened?

[BroSum]

The Workboat Academy offers a two year vocational maritime training program that provides intensive professional training to become an officer on Tugboats, Research Vessels and/or Offshore Supply Vessels.

There has been a substantial amount of discussion and views (over 5,000) on the topic of the Workboat Academy, however there really hasn't been an authority on the program available to really answer the questions.

The Workboat Academy is absolutely not for everyone. The Hawsepipe and the Maritime Academies may be much better suited to you. That being said, in order for you to make an informed decision, I am opening up this discussion to answer any specific question you may have.

Gregg Trunnell
Director, Workboat Academy
Seattle, Baltimore, New Orleans

Workboat_Academy-Guru,

I applied to attend MITAGS, I've had an interview with Marja and I'm suppose to head up to Maryland on the 20th to do interviews with some sponsoring companies but my question is what is the average pay a cadet gets during the sea phases?? I know asking questions about pay on here is like "TOP SECRET" but I'm just curious.

Thanks

BroSum :.

[CaptainTom]

I think the cadets at LaBorde make in the neighborhood of about $150 per day. Most of the ones we have usually get their AB about halfway through the school and they get a raise to somewhere in the neighborhood of about $280 per day. Neighborhood = +/- $25

[Workboat_Academy-Guru]

Good Morning.

Ok... First and most importantly. The Cookie Question. -- I don't recall having cookies, however we use to have 'Doughnut Friday at PMI'. That went a way for a while, however it may be starting up again soon.

In regards to pay: It really depends on which company. CaptainTom is correct regarding La-Borde, and most of the OSV companies operate that way. 1/2 way through, you get an AB OSV, which allows a significant raise.

Most tug companies are $150 to $200 per day, and you do not get your AB ticket until completion. (AB Limited) We have no control over pay, that is why we generally do not mention it.

Good luck on the 20th !!

Gregg

[Knotsman]

Gregg, for someone with adequate sea time, but is lacking the "recent" part of it, is it possible to bump up to AB earlier (after 90 days of deck time) in the tug/inland program, and do the companies then honor the ticket with more pay as cadets? I don't feel the need to be at the wheel sooner, but the extra AB income would certainly make life easier.

[Workboat_Academy-Guru]

That is a tricky one. Please call me to discuss:206 719-2801. The answer varies.

[mtskier]

Now about those donuts...the pay scheme sounds like it has evolved! Nice to hear!

[tugsailor]

Gregg, for someone with adequate sea time, but is lacking the "recent" part of it, is it possible to bump up to AB earlier (after 90 days of deck time) in the tug/inland program, and do the companies then honor the ticket with more pay as cadets? I don't feel the need to be at the wheel sooner, but the extra AB income would certainly make life easier.

If you have enough "old" seatime for AB just go get it (you do not need any recency for AB). You could go to school for two weeks to get AB with LB and BST. I cannot speak as to the requirements for RFPNW.

[Knotsman]

Thanks guys.. I'm going to have Chuck Kakuska from (Sea K's Licensing) document my sea time once my Navy records and TOSS arrives. Hopefully I can move up to AB a little quicker. I've got about 420 days of underway time, I just need to get it ok'd by the CG. I haven't even tried to document all underway time I have in my youth as a liveaboard. Hopefully won't have to go there because that was a long time ago....

[tugsailor]

Thanks guys.. I'm going to have Chuck Kakuska from (Sea K's Licensing) document my sea time once my Navy records and TOSS arrives. Hopefully I can move up to AB a little quicker. I've got about 420 days of underway time, I just need to get it ok'd by the CG. I haven't even tried to document all underway time I have in my youth as a liveaboard. Hopefully won't have to go there because that was a long time ago....

Glad to hear that you have a highly qualified expert on your side.

[BroSum]

Good Morning.

Ok... First and most importantly. The Cookie Question. -- I don't recall having cookies, however we use to have 'Doughnut Friday at PMI'. That went a way for a while, however it may be starting up again soon.

In regards to pay: It really depends on which company. CaptainTom is correct regarding La-Borde, and most of the OSV companies operate that way. 1/2 way through, you get an AB OSV, which allows a significant raise.

Most tug companies are $150 to $200 per day, and you do not get your AB ticket until completion. (AB Limited) We have no control over pay, that is why we generally do not mention it.

Good luck on the 20th !!

Gregg

Gregg,
Is there anything I should know, do, take to the interviews on the 20th? I would like to be well prepared, but I'm not sure if there's anything I should do other than show up.

[Workboat_Academy-Guru]

The 'extra' effort should go in to learning about the companies, so you can ask relevant questions. The interviewers are generally very proud of their companies, so the more you know about their company during the process, the better.

GT

[mtskier]

GT,
Did anything ever come of the efforts to develop an engineering equivalent to the WBA?

[Workboat_Academy-Guru]

GT,
Did anything ever come of the efforts to develop an engineering equivalent to the WBA?

We are definitely working on it. We just had another WIP (Workboat Industry Partner) meeting in Seattle this week. We are currently reviewing three funding sources to start the curriculum development. Our goal is to create a National Model Course for an Engineering Program specific to the Workboat Industry. The curriculum would be available to any and all parties interested.

Long story short... We are getting closer.

[mtskier]

Has HOS shown any interest in using WBA students?

[skycowboy]

Yes, they use them as fenders all the time