How do I get in the maritime job industry?

Question

I want to find a job working on a boat or yaght. I have no experience at all so how do I get my foot in the door? Deckhand? Any kind of basic labor?

Answer 1

First of all, if you want a job on one... I suggest you first learn how to spell it...  Seriously... absolute attention to details is a must in our industry... Other than that, "joining the Navy" was not a bad answer - even though it is funny - especially to those of us that have already "been there and done that".

Assuming however, you do not want to get shot at, or put in a position where you find youself trying to out swim a torpedo... I suggest you go to your local employment (or unemployment) office and tell them what you want... Most Ports, Merchant marine, Maritime jobs are posted.  The nice thing about going there is that you will see it all... You will find all the listings of avaliable jobs nation wide (if you want) and the qualifications, good job discriptions and starting pay... and any license, passport, etc, requirements. It's all there!

Answer 2

Join the Navy!

Answer 3

Dine from their deli without paying.  They'll put you to work.  You go to the yard and ask for work.  Nowadays, they'll probably tell you to go to this or that staffing agency and sign on with them first.  Go from there.  Good Luck.  If old school get in with union and get in if ya can.

Answer 4

Start pounding the docks.

Look for boats that appear to be well kept and structurally sound.

Humble captains, I have found, tend to be the more competent ones. The ones who constantly run their mouths about themselves are the ones to stay away from. You don't want to be on a boat that the captain is trying to make a name for him/herself. Large ego's care about you less.

This can be dangerous at sea.

If you find a boat you like, spend a day or so asking the locals about it and the captain.

If you get trained by an idiot it will make it harder to get on with a respectable crew.

Just because someone is a captain, or owns a boat, does not mean that they know what they are doing.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Go to a maritime community, there are many jobs in various boat yards and shipyards that will hire apprentice workers in the busy period.  If you want to work on a vessel underway, apply to the vessel directly or to the merchant marine training program.