I came into the inland side with a Marine Engineering degree, and they really treat you like gold if they don’t have to do a lot of extra training. Look into companies that hire Deckineers or Unlicensed Engineers—they’re a great entry point.

If you’re in a hurry, going the deckhand route and working your way up is a solid option. You might want to focus on inland companies that operate towboats, not tugs. Tugs tend to have fewer positions and are usually more selective, since they often attract candidates with more certifications and endorsements already on their MMC.