I can't take it any more! Can you please help me?

Question

I am getting the case of wander lust really bad again and I need to get out and travel. My solution is become a merchant marine. I already qualify for I have my merchant marine document but no further qualifications. Either on a commercial ship transporting cargo, a fishing ship or a cruise ship. Question is where can I find a temporary job with my qualifications and what jobs I qualify for? Where can I find good job leads? And no I cannot look it up on the net or on monster for there is no category to help me in this department on monster and there is no websites for jobs only the history of the merchant marines. Please help.

Answer 1

Searching "nautical " or "maritime" or "marine" jobs would yield better results.  I've looked and found some things there.  You could also look in "crew for hire" or similar postings.  There are often sailboats or such that are looking for crew members.  Unfortunately they usually prefer experience, but worth a shot.  Other than that just keep browsing the web.  You might want to "get your feet wet" with something like an offshore oil job like on a supply boat.  I have friends in that business.  pays pretty good and gets you some experience.  2 weeks on, 2 weeks off.

Answer 2

You don't "become a merchant marine," you join the Merchant Marine.  The US Merchant Marine service is a section of the US Department of Transportation.  Merchant Marine jobs are federal jobs, and you can find a list at

http://www.usajobs.gov.

Alternatively, you can do an internet search on "shipping companies" and find information on companies you might want to go to sea for.  They will have "employment" buttons on their web sites.

Finally, you can do it the old fashioned way.  Go down to the docks and find the shipping offices of the shipping lines in various port cities.  Apply in person.