One career you may want to explore is that of an officer aboard a ship that serves ports on the Great Lakes. The lake fleet and its personnel are part of the U.S. Merchant Marine, and there is a continuing need for highly trained men and women to operate these ships. The academy explains its program as follows:
This three year program offers students a variety of academic course work, hands on experience with state of the art technology and equipment, and over 200 days of "sea time" on board freighters in the Great Lakes. Class sizes are small and instructors are friendly, so you'll receive all the attention you need.
The Maritime Academy offers two career paths. Cadets who choose the "deck" program train to become pilots and mates, navigating ships through open waters and narrow harbors ships which may stretch to one thousand feet in length and weigh several thousand tons. Graduates may also find satisfying careers in the tug/barge industry.
Cadets, who choose the "engine" program, train to become the power plant engineers, operating the massive diesel or steam engines that drive these mighty vessels. Like a self contained floating city, each freighter is supported by complex systems which require highly skilled attention.
Based on the industry's projected needs for entry level officers, only about 50 students are admitted to the program each year. There are no ages or marital status restrictions. Applicants must be American citizens and have graduated from high school or possess a GED equivalency. Upon graduation, cadets are qualified to write the Coast Guard examinations.
The Employment Picture
Since the 1980s, employment has dropped significantly because it is directly related to the number of ships on the high seas. Some huge oil tankers have been removed from service and were cut apart for scrap because of the decline in demand for oil. Regulations of the 1990 Oil Pollution Act have doomed many older tank barges and oil tankers. Some newer ships have been constructed, but they were operated by smaller crews because so many of the tasks formerly assigned to seamen have been mechanized. For example, in the older, non automated vessels, the engineering department carried twelve sailors. Now there may be only four in newer ships.
The Fleet Size
With Congress attempting to balance the federal budget, subsidies now paid to American ship owners may be reduced or withdrawn. In that case, employment could further decline as ships are withdrawn from service or transferred to foreign registries. The volume of international shipping is not necessarily stable because it depends on the economy of not just the United States, but also its overseas trading partners.
In 1993 the United States had a total of 564 merchant ships of which 367 were privately owned and 197 governments owned. Of these 12 were passenger/cargo ships, 321 freighters, 21 bulk carriers, and 210 tankers. Total employment was 9,100. The East Coast wage scale averaged $1,853 a month and the West Coast $2,536, with the monthly wages supplemented with room and board, overtime, and fringe benefits.
Occupational Breakdown
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, in 1994 there were approximately 48,000 men and women employed in water transportation of whom:
- 45 percent worked on merchant marine ships or U.S. Navy Military Sealift ships.
- 42 percent worked on towboats, tugs, dredges, and other craft in harbors, on canals, on rivers, and on other waterways, as well as piloting boats, and in marine construction, salvaging, and surveying.
- 13 percent worked on passenger carrying vessels such as sightseeing, cruise, and excursion ships, as well as on ferries.
On the whole the job outlook is not expected to improve. Newer ships that enter service require smaller crews, and this increases competition for available positions. Overall employment in water transportation is, therefore, not expected to grow.
You do not have to join the merchant marine to find a career in water transportation. Opportunities may lie close to your home if you live on or near the shore. Consider some of the following:
Operation of all day fishing boats for fishermen who enjoy the sport of deep sea fishing is a growing business. Boats usually leave early in the morning and return sometime during the late afternoon. Typical advertisements read: "Captain Jones will leave the West Dock daily at Seamen and marine oilers 6:00 a.m. for deep sea fishing ten miles out." Ask the captain of each boat about possible job opportunities. Here you may find good summer or part time jobs that will give you valuable experience.
Other Marine Careers
In some areas commercial fishing boats depart for distant fishing grounds and remain at sea for several days or weeks as they fill their holds with valuable catches. Even a short term job on one of these boats can provide experience.
The growth and popularity of private boating has created an expanding marina business. A busy marina is an interesting place to work. Although you may not do much traveling, you will learn how to handle boats and occasionally have a chance to get out on the water. In the north, marinas are a summer business and therefore offer only temporary jobs.
In many parts of the country excursion boats take passengers to distant points of interest or just tour a harbor. They provide jobs for deck hands, engineers, and others in the maritime field, as do ferries. "Moon light" and "dinner" cruises are popular in many parts of the country for those who enjoy nighttime cruising and eating dinner on shipboard. High school and college students seeking summer employment may find jobs as waiters or waitresses, reservation clerks, cleaners, and in various kitchen positions.
Pick up a Sunday newspaper from a large city and turn to the travel section. You cannot help but be impressed by the number of advertisements for cruises. The era of luxurious trans Atlantic or trans Pacific ocean voyages is practically gone, except for the occasional trip, but in their place are luxurious cruises that range all the way from three day trips to around the world voyages. If you study these advertisements you may notice that the ships are of foreign registry. This means that they do not have to observe the stringent American rules that apply to the operation of passenger liners. Furthermore, if they are owned and operated by foreign companies, they are usually staffed by natives of their countries. This may not be true of all the ships that call at a port near you, and certainly not of excursion boats, which offer simple day time or overnight trips. Your state employment security office may be able to tell you about openings with the cruise lines, and you should also apply directly to the cruise line offices.
