What about the furloghed Seaman after BP Horizon

**Sailor2You** · June 2nd, 2011, 11:44 AM

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

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ontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->After the BP Horizon disaster our company keep are vessels chartered until Dec. 2010, then furloughed everyone and stacked 98% of the OSV fleet. That was Dec. 2010 - this is June 2011. I was fortunate to have a little savings and was able to keep paying my bills and mortgage payments until now. I've filed a claim with Gulf Coast Claims Facility who are said to represent BP. Now I find that they are dragging their feet when it comes to any kind of settlement with respect to my lost wages. I've been sailing since 1963 and have never NOT been able to find a ship or vessel to sail on, however the entire industry in the GOM has been affected and every time I send an application I keep getting the same answer; we're not hireling at the moment. Well, by the time everything gets back to normal and companies start hiring seaman again, I'll be 65 or 66 and will not be looked on favorably by any company that wants UNLIMITED AB'S with experience. What about me and the many seaman who sailed all their lives. What do we do now, and just how do we get just monetary compensation for the last 6 months and the next 12 months or however long it takes. Who do we go to, to collect what we lost (at no fault of our own). What exactly do we tell the bank when they want to know when we will be making the next mortgage payment, or how do we stop the man from reposing the car? What government agency do we go to, to get the same recovery for our lost wages as did the Louisiana Shrimpers did? All I know is that I never was behind on ANY of my bills until BP Horizon. Now, it looks like I'll lose everything, and stand little or no chance of getting a site on a vessel before the hammer drops. Hell of a way to end a 48 year carrier. Just what do I do now and where do I go?

**Capt. Lee** · June 2nd, 2011, 12:26 PM

How long were you planning on working? You have to be eligible for something by now. Did you save anything for retirement? When are you eligbile for social security? If I were you I would take my fishing poles to the beach sit back and get drunk.

**anchorman** · June 2nd, 2011, 04:27 PM

Now that is scary....a mortgage payment at 65.

**skinny stick** · June 2nd, 2011, 04:34 PM

scary being a AB at 65

**Tugted** · June 2nd, 2011, 04:53 PM

If I was sailing as an ab @ 65 & didn't have enough retirement I would think I've worked for the wrong outfit. If you couldn't a wheelhouse license long ago then something was wrong.

**Capt. Lee** · June 2nd, 2011, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by skinny stick

scary being a AB at 65

I am OK with that part. I know many career AB's. Nothing wrong with that at all. This should really hit home with some of the younger guys here. You have to prepare for that day when we retire. I am trying to do more myself.

**anchorman** · June 2nd, 2011, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Capt. Lee

I am OK with that part.

'cause it's not you.

**DP Mate** · June 2nd, 2011, 08:32 PM

Who do we go to, to collect what we lost (at no fault of our own)?
Call attorney Steve Gordon at 1-800-773-6770, his banner ad should show up at the top of this blog. Steve Gordon represents several of the Deepwater Horizon victims. Steve is without question the top advocate in the nation for victims of this horrible accident.

For work as an Unlimited AB: call Captain Kelly Sweeney (360) 678-3350 at www.maritimeheadhunters.com
Kelly should be able to find you work in Alaska as everyJune a mad rush of vessels departs Seattle.

**Mr 100-ton** · June 3rd, 2011, 03:58 AM

My dad at 83 still works,,,not because he has to but because he want to,,,,,,keeps him busy,,,,,,,ya,,, maybe a mortgage payment at 65 is not that smart but some people just like working to keep busy,,,,maybe no one will hire him because of his age but there are always schools to teach in,,,with the seatime he has he would get a 100ton master, 200ton mate license then be a teacher for AB, 100, 200 classes,,,with his years of experience it would be an advantage to the new mariners,, could also teach stcw classes and do home prep courses for the above

**Capt. Lee** · June 3rd, 2011, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Mr 100-ton

My dad at 83 still works,,,not because he has to but because he want to,,,,,,keeps him busy,,,,,,,ya,,, maybe a mortgage payment at 65 is not that smart but some people just like working to keep busy,,,,maybe no one will hire him because of his age but there are always schools to teach in,,,with the seatime he has he would get a 100ton master, 200ton mate license then be a teacher for AB, 100, 200 classes,,,with his years of experience it would be an advantage to the new mariners,, could also teach stcw classes and do home prep courses for the above

There is a big difference from working to stay busy and working to survive. I may still be working when I am 65, especially if my health holds up, but I definitely want to do it on my own terms. We just had a Rent a Captain on here for one leg of the voyage and he was 73 years old. One of the permanent Captains on here is 66. He is at the top of his earning power and I guess it is hard to walk away from the steady checks even if you are financially sound. The way we work with 28 on and 28 off, I could see myself working well into my sixties and I can see a shift of more people working into their 70's the way things are going. On the 28 off I could travel with the wife or spend time with my future grand children. I am already thinking about what Debra and I are going to do when our boy goes off to school. I really hope that I can retire well before I am 65. I want my house paid for sure. It all depends on the 401K that I am working on and paying off my homes before then. Social Security is a joke. I have a few other investments and some rental income. Who knows what the future holds. All I can do is try to prepare for tomorrow and not forget about living today.

**Mr 100-ton** · June 3rd, 2011, 09:10 AM

There is a big difference from working to stay busy and working to survive. I may still be working when I am 65, especially if my health holds up, but I definitely want to do it on my own terms.

yes there is a difference,,,but you can prepare yourself for a career change at any age,,,just because he can not find a position as an AB does not mean he must give up. We all have had to make choices on a job,,,i have had jobs i did not want just to get by till i found another position that i wanted. I do not relish having a mortgage at 65,, but i do know people who have been an AB for 30 years in the GOM who just work 30/30 to pay taxes and health care. depends on how much you save,,, his house was paid for many years ago,,,lived very frugal,,,,still calls his wife everyday when he is working,,, never met a couple who were so much in love after 45 plus years of marriage,,,,i am sure you have met him at your previous employer.

I am already thinking about what Debra and I are going to do when our boy goes off to school.

I have no comment on that one but am sure anchorman will,,

**Capt. Lee** · June 3rd, 2011, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Mr 100-ton

There is a big difference from working to stay busy and working to survive. I may still be working when I am 65, especially if my health holds up, but I definitely want to do it on my own terms.

yes there is a difference,,,but you can prepare yourself for a career change at any age,,,just because he can not find a position as an AB does not mean he must give up. We all have had to make choices on a job,,,i have had jobs i did not want just to get by till i found another position that i wanted. I do not relish having a mortgage at 65,, but i do know people who have been an AB for 30 years in the GOM who just work 30/30 to pay taxes and health care. depends on how much you save,,, his house was paid for many years ago,,,lived very frugal,,,,still calls his wife everyday when he is working,,, never met a couple who were so much in love after 45 plus years of marriage,,,,i am sure you have met him at your previous employer.

I am already thinking about what Debra and I are going to do when our boy goes off to school.

I have no comment on that one but am sure anchorman will,,

On the first part...I think I am going to be sick

On the second part ...Thanks for the no comment, but I promise you when I am 65 I will still be very ACTIVE...If you know what I mean.

**Mr 100-ton** · June 3rd, 2011, 10:37 AM

i think i better quit before you anchorman and baldy gang up on me

glad to see that one of your goals in life is to still be active when you are 65,,,but if for some reason you are not ,,,,,,there are always pills and implants available

**Shellback** · June 3rd, 2011, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Capt. Lee

On the first part...I think I am going to be sick

On the second part ...Thanks for the no comment, but I promise you when I am 65 I will still be very ACTIVE...If you know what I mean.

Priapism doesn't count!...

**Mr 100-ton** · June 3rd, 2011, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Shellback

Priapism doesn't count!...

The name comes from the Greek god Priapus, who was noted for his disproportionately large and permanent erection.

**Sailor2You** · June 3rd, 2011, 04:17 PM

I don't know exactly how long you have been sailing, but there are some older professional AB's who have no desire to take the added responsibility that comes with a bridge license. That doesn't mean we couldn't if push comes to shove, however the original post refers to the loss of the position of AB on a vessel that was stacked as a direct result of the negligence of BP! Had that disaster not occurred we would both be doing something other then posting on this blog. The responsibility for lost wages for a seaman who is furloughed for unacceptable deck duties is one thing, but just because an individual makes a conscious decision to remain on deck and continue to sail to what ever age that person feels he is still capable of, that individual should not have to suffer the loss of wages for something that is no fault of his own. Doesn't matter if that AB is 25 or 45 or 65 or 95. A professional AB should be a plus to most captains, judging from the "new breed" of sailors I have observed on many of the ships lately.

**Mr 100-ton** · June 3rd, 2011, 04:21 PM

well said ,,Sailor2You

we kind of got sidetracked

**Sailor2You** · June 3rd, 2011, 04:54 PM

Scary indeed, having a mortgage at 65, but when you've been sailing most of your life overseas, there really isn't any need for a house or a mortgage. That is, until you come back stateside and find that owning a house is the thing to do. Just ask everyone, and that's what they tell you. At age 55, that is what happened to me. Perhaps I should have just stayed overseas on a ship, and then I would always have a place to stay. But at 65 it is a little late to look back and do the should have, would have and could have. The question in the ordinal post was meant to ask what sailors on vessels that have been stacked as a direct result of the BP Horizon disaster should do now to recover their lost wages and pay their mortgage, regardless if they are a 65 year old professional AB or a 25 year of Ordinary. I am certainly not the only AB who is on the beach and I won't be the last, but it doesn't matter how old a person is, or what position he or she holds on a vessel; the question is who is responsible for lost wages?

**Sailor2You** · June 3rd, 2011, 05:06 PM

Sometimes siting on the beach fishing and getting drunk isn't all it's cracked up to be. Some people prefer to work as long as they can, simply because they can. And as far as saving for retirement goes, I don't know how other 401k's are doing, but mine is down by about 78% from when I started saving back in 68. Social Security is available for me now, but the question in the original post was meant to ask, "Why should any one have to give up a career as a professional AB aboard a vessel and lose their income when something like what happened with the BP Horizon takes place". And if that happens, just who is responsible for those lost wages, no matter the age of the sailor?

**Capt. Lee** · June 3rd, 2011, 05:14 PM

That is a good question. Who really is to blame for this? Is it all BP? Is it the Government? If you were going to file a claim I think it should have been 6 months ago when the company you worked for got laid up. I am not knocking your position as AB, but the more qualifications you have the more valuable you become to potential employers. Are your laurels to blame? Whose fault is it really? I know there are positions out there. There are people working. I say you are responsible for your wages and it is up to you to do something about it. If you want to keep your house get out there. If you want to not have your car reposessed do something about it. Go to the companies. Don't call. Show up. I can tell you right now I can tell anyone no on the phone and I won't lose any sleep over it, but to look someone in the eye and tell them no is a different thing all together. Make the rounds. Accept a lower position as an OS, rigger, galleyhand, roustabout. A job is a job. Something is better than nothing. Change careers. Cut grass, pick up cans. You do what you have to do to survive. Let me ask you this, what are you going to do about it?

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