Boatnerd Discussion Forum

A degree of any kind will not help you with getting any licensing. On a harbor tug like GLT their are 3 positions. Captain, Engineer, and Deckhand. Get a MMC from the Coast Guard at www.uscg.mil/nmc. Letters of commitment as mentioned earlier in the thread are not a requirement, have not been for years.

Guest wrote:Thanks very much for the reply. I'd be looking at the U.S. side.
Basically I have no experience on tugs but am toying with the idea of applying to a company or two.
I do have a masters degree (non-maritime related) don't know if any of that would substitute for sea time or not.

Just wondering what the steps are from newbie to skipper. (Looking at harbor tugs like GLT)

Thanks again for the responses. Much appreciated.

A Master's Degree, such as an MBA, has nothing to do with the maritime industry and would have no bearing on seatime whatsoever.

Your best course would be to contract GLT. You will need a letter of commitment to the Coast Guard from someone at any rate. GLT will tell you what your chances are of advancement.

Thanks very much for the reply. I'd be looking at the U.S. side.
Basically I have no experience on tugs but am toying with the idea of applying to a company or two.
I do have a masters degree (non-maritime related) don't know if any of that would substitute for sea time or not.

Just wondering what the steps are from newbie to skipper. (Looking at harbor tugs like GLT)

Thanks again for the responses. Much appreciated.

Guest wrote:As far as working on tugs is the rating system the same as on lakers? Start out as OS go on to AB etc.. or is it different?

What's is the pay like on tugs?

That is a very complicated question. Yes, you start as OS and upgrade to AB. The transition from AB to mate is different as their are a few different paths to do it with towing vessels. Plus the need for a designated examiner to complete the Towing Officers Assessment Record. The engine side is different as the engineers need nothing more than an OS due to tugs being unexpected. However, if your US flag tug goes to canada the engineers need licences. Further, if you work on a tug with enough HP to be considered 'unlimited' you can't get an unlimited chief from it. Just up to unlimited 1st assistant. Their are a number of other license quirks regarding towing vessels, but I'd be typing forever to explain them all. Do you have a specific question?

Canadian or American? Could be a big difference.

As far as working on tugs is the rating system the same as on lakers? Start out as OS go on to AB etc.. or is it different?

What's is the pay like on tugs?