Merchant Marine question?

Question

When one reaches their port of destination, are they alloted any free time to roam the city? If so, how much could one expect?

Also, are their physical requirements for sailors (aside from being generally healthy)?

Answer 1

When a ship arrives in port there is usually alot going on with cargo. I have been on ships where we were only there for a few hours and there where times that it was a few weeks. It varies with the ship and the run/cargo that it deals with.

You can, depending on the capt/chief mate, switch watches with someone else or have them cover some of your watch so you can get into town for a bit.

As for health you have to pass a US Coast Guard physical. It is a bit more then just turn your head a cough. There is vision, hearing, blood work, and a heart monitor test as well.  

http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/

Is a good place to start

Answer 2

It depends on the in port watch schedule. Some ships "break watches" in port, meaning you go on a 8 hours on 16 off time table. Others maintain sea-watches because they are in port for such a short time.\

In general good health, no drug users, (urine test on hiring) and subject to random drug tests is required.

Answer 3

I got on in South Carolina in Dec., went through the Suez canal, stopped at two ports in Saudi Arabia, two in Kuwait, one in United Arab Emirates and two in Japan before coming back to the US on Feb. 24th.   I was only able to get off in one port in Japan for a couple hours; the rest of the time I was stuck on the ship.    Back in 1993 when I started sailing we stayed in each port for 3 days and were able to have one complete day off in each place (without pay).   Most ships do not have a destination anymore; they just do a continuous circuit of multiple ports.

Answer 4

Depends on if you have to work or not. Its a job like anything else. If you are in port and have time off then you go ashore and be back to work when your shift starts. It also depends on what ship you are on. I am a Marine engineer and work on dayworking ships, which means I work 8 to 5 so any time outrside of that I am free to go ashore. If you end up on a ship that doesnt have a lot of port time then depending on your supervisor, he or she may let you off for a while to go. There are some requiremnets but they arent that bad...believe me I have seen some people working out there that look they are about to drop anytime. The USCG has a form that you take to get a physical. You do have to prove you are drug free.