Ingram Barging Help (Work description)

Question

I am about to start work at Ingram Barging this next year, and would love to know the details of the kind of work I would be doing starting green/greenhorn (new). It does not say what I would be doing, although I do understand the overview of the job I would like to know more about it. Thank you ^_^

Answer 1

You will prob. be a deckhand. That means you will work on-board a towboat (also called a pushboat). These vessels travel the inland waterways, mostly the Mississippi and Ohio rivers as well as others. They push a group of barges which is called a "tow". You will be on the boat for 30 days followed by 30 days off. You will share a room with at least one other person. There is absolutely no drinking or drugs of any kind allowed (You gotta be sober for a month, if you can't handle that, don't even bother to take the job). You will have to get along with people from different backgrounds, races, cultures, education levels, religions, etc and find a way to work through any problems that arise. While you will have to follow directions and direct supervision, you will also have to be a self-starter and figure out what you need to do on your watch and carry your own weight as well. Work is six hours on followed by six hours off. As a new crew member they will train you in your basic job duties and a person, usually the mate will be your direct supervisor on-board.

Being a deckhand on the inland waters is tough. The job involves heavy lifting and labor in all weather conditions and at night time. There is always a danger of falling overboard and many deckhands have been killed by parting lines, drowning, being crushed between a barge and the dock, as well as other dangers.

There is room for promotion and the pay is pretty good. Be safe and don't take chances.

Answer 2

Jeremy, I am surprised that you did not ask this question when you accepted the job. Most likely, as a greenhorn, you will be assigned different tasks by supervisors to see what you are capable of doing, and how well you do things. The more that you are able to show that you can accomplish things, the sooner you will get promoted into another job.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 3

It really depends on the type of position you have been hired for.   There are many different possibilities.  Here are a couple of links that may help you.