gCaptain Forum

USN to MMD

Kyle G — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:44:30 GMT

Hows everyone doing? I would like to introduce myself. I recently got out of the Navy after 4 years of service. 3 years, 2 months of which were spent on the USS Porter (DDG-78) out of Norfolk, VA. I was a STG (Sonar Technician/ Surface) but I did spend a lot of time out of my division. I worked my way up to supervisor of aft sea & anchor operations. I also spent my whole time on the ships VBSS (Boarding team) which wel did a lot of small boat operations.

I got out in May 2008 and moved back to my native New York City and got a job with NYC DOT @ the Staten Island Ferry as a deckhand. I ahve been there since January.

Its a really good job and I have been working on moving up. I am trying to learn about how things go with MMD. I am looking to get my 3rd mates license (as a first step). My only problem is that things are kind of confusing because there aren't many people in the same boat as me. Most either got their mate's ticket a long time ago and cant help, graduated from a respective academy with a ticket, or are content staying on deck and have no aspirations of moving anywhere. So it is hard for me to find out the exact information.

My biggest issue is sea time. I have heard conflicting information about the requirements, or should I say documentation of the requirements. My DD-214, whcih is my separation paperwork, says 3 years, 2 months of "Sea Time." But that is just time served on the vessel the majority of which is tied up to the pier. It was where I went to work everyday but some people tell me that they only count the actual underweigh time, some tell me that the whole 3 years will count. Does anyone have any clarification on this? Any other info or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

//Kyle

Beier Radio/Belle Chasse lodging?

mtskier — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:13:44 GMT

Greetings All,
With the job search going nowhere I'm considering attending DP Intro at Beier Radio in the near future. Can any of you comment on the training facility and quality of instruction offered? PM's are certainly OK. Any advice regarding lodging in the area would also be appreciated.
MTSKIER

Missing Mariner

Arizcarp — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:35:21 GMT

To all:

I am looking for my step-father. His name is Tom Hilton from North or South Carolina. He is white and must be in his eighties by now.

Q: How might I find him?

Thank you.

Tidewater barge aground at mouth of Hood River

mtskier — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:02:33 GMT

A barge laden with a million gallons of gasoline remains hard aground in the Columbia River at the mouth of the Hood River after efforts to free it with an additional tugboat failed late Thursday.
Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Ryan Harry says a new plan calls for an empty fuel barge to be brought alongside in order to transfer gasoline off the grounded vessel, making it lighter so it can be freed from the river bottom. That effort is due to start at daylight Friday.
The Coast Guard and barge operator Tidewater Barge Lines of Vancouver, Wash., have inspected the double-hulled vessel and found no damage so there has been no environmental impact.
The crew from a tug transporting four barges through the Columbia reported the grounding early Thursday. The three other barges were removed by Thursday afternoon.

Sause Bros employment question

surfer — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:24:26 GMT

On Sause Bros. website under the employment section it said "Day-for-day accumulated time off. In essence, you will work for six months and be paid for twelve." Is that a typical pay scale in the tug boat industry to be paid day-for-day?

Link to website below:

http://www.sause.com/id14.html

Campus Visit to SUNY July 19

Fatguy — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:50:08 GMT

Hi All,

I've been accepted to SUNY Maritime this fall, and will be attending the school open house July 19. I'd like to link up with any cadets who will be attending the open house, or anyone in the NYC area who will be attending SUNY this fall. I'm coming out a day ahead of time, and very much want to visit the USS Intrepid Museum on Saturday the 18th.

If you are interested in getting together, reply to this post and we can figure out contact info and such.

Fatguy

Federal Retiree and the MSC

skycowboy — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:42:45 GMT

As a Retiree from the FAA, if I went to work for the MSC how would that affect my current retirement. I have a feeling it won;t be for the better

Congratulations gCaptain - Readership is up!

water — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:17:30 GMT

Congratulations - the highest number of viewers on line was 692 yesterday. If I recall correctly, the highest prior readership happened last February, and the record went unchallenged until now. I suspect the numbers were so low for so long because of the downturn in the marine industry.

Keep up the good work!

Standby for more "required" STCW training.

Jeffrox — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:13:38 GMT

Electronic Navigation: Improved Training and Auditing Will Enhance Navigation Safety

http://marinelink.com/News/Article/331123.aspx

gCaptain's job board works!

dougpine — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:28:00 GMT

I just found a master's job through the gCaptain job board. Gonna go run a tuna boat in the western pacific for a while. I'll be leaving for a 90 day hitch in about 10 days or so.

If anyone here has any experience down there I'd love to hear from you. Fishing will be a new one for me, but in this economy you've gotta take what you can get.

MacArthur for sale

kzoo pilot — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:05:33 GMT

I saw an ad in a high end yacting magazine featuring Blackwater's anti-pirate rig. It is listed as an "Expedition Yacht" but no price was given. I wonder if the helo's and armory goodies come with it?

Policy letter 15-02

Capt Leigh — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:35:46 GMT

Anyone know if policy letter 15-02 is still in effect?
I was denied credit for ITC tonnage on foreign voyages,and sent in copy of Policy letter 15-02 along with company letter showing service on these vessels and was still denied with no explaination.I can't find anything more current,thought maybe I was missing something....:confused:

WAAS vs DGPS

the12voltman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:53:13 GMT

Does anyone know why WAAS should not be used for a maritime navigation augmented signal. It seems a hot potato with the USCG (NAVCEN) and the FAA as they both have their maintain their own systems, yet the augmented signal is just as accurate and reliable as the other. There also seems to be a new generation of marine antennas which use WAAS as the augmented signal. As a ships pilot is it important to know if the DGPS signal is the satellite based signal or land based?

MERPAC Open Teleconference

john — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:25:50 GMT

Here's your chance to tell the USCG your thoughts on the new licensing procedures!

Quote:

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
This is an opportunity of contribute to what will be a substantial -- and perhaps expensive -- rewrite of the STCW Code.
Coast Guard
[USCG-2009-0579]

Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of open teleconference meeting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces a teleconference of the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC). The purpose of the teleconference is for MERPAC to discuss and prepare recommendations for the Coast Guard concerning paragraph III.B.1 and III.B.2 of its Task Statement 64, Comprehensive Review of the STCW Convention and the STCW Code. MERPAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters related to the training, qualification,
licensing, certification, and fitness of seamen serving in the U.S. merchant marine.

DATES: The teleconference call will take place on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., EDT.

ADDRESSES: Members of the public may participate by dialing 1-877-950-5410. You will then be prompted to dial your participant passcode, which is ``9876776''. Please ensure that you enter the ``'' mark. Public participation is welcome; however, the number of teleconference lines is limited, and lines are available first-come, first-served. Members of the public may also participate by coming to Room 3317, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001. We request that members of the public who plan to attend this meeting notify Mr. Jerry Miante at 202-372-1407 no later than July 17, 2009, so that he may notify building security officials.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jerry
Miante, telephone 202-372-1407, fax 202-372-1926.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that public notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register [5 U.S.C. App. 2]. MERPAC is chartered under that Act. It provides advice and makes recommendations to the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security, and Stewardship, on issues concerning merchant marine personnel such as implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978. Task Statement 64, as well as the document referenced in paragraph III.B.2 of Task Statement 64, may be viewed in our online docket, USCG-2009-0579, at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...egulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov.
Tentative Agenda:
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
1 p.m.-1:05 p.m.--Welcome
and Opening Remarks--MERPAC Chairman Captain Andrew McGovern.
1:05 p.m.-2:15 p.m.--Open discussion concerning paragraphs III.B.1 and III.B.2 of Task Statement 64, Comprehensive Review of the STCW Convention and the STCW Code.
2:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m.--Public comment period.
2:45 p.m.-3 p.m.--MERPAC vote on recommendations for the Coast Guard.
3 p.m.--Adjourn.

This tentative agenda is subject to change and the meeting may adjourn early if all committee business has been completed.

Public Participation
The Chairman of MERPAC is empowered to conduct the teleconference in a way that will, in his judgment, facilitate the orderly conduct of business. During its teleconference, the committee welcomes public comment. The committee will make every effort to hear the views of all interested parties, including the public. Written comments may be submitted to Ms. Mayte Medina, Designated Federal Officer, at Commandant (CG-5221) ATTN MERPAC,
US Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street St., STOP 7126, Washington, DC 20593-7126. Comments should be received no later than July 17, 2009.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact Mr. Miante as soon as possible.

Pics of GOM workboats

studbuzzar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:22:28 GMT

Link to some nice pics of different types of workboats in GOM. Nice to run in slideshow mode full screen.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whink27/2263991131/