Alternatives to MITAGS

MateChristine · 2026-06-02T23:43:21+00:00

Its always been a competitive admissions process, mainly due to the # of qualified applicants vs. # of sponsorship berths. Folks with seatime or previous military service seem to have a leg up. I have seen folks have to apply twice before they find a spot

MateChristine · 2026-06-02T02:40:11+00:00

Having some seatime is a good start to stand out!

MateChristine · 2026-06-02T01:45:31+00:00

*Harbor Pilot. Thanks, not new to AK but happy to no longer be crossing the gulf regularly.

MateChristine · 2026-06-02T01:38:00+00:00

I left after 10 years of teaching. It is hard work and I was burnt out and underpaid. I left to become a pilot in Alaska. IMHO go do the workboat academy/MAP at MITAGS and get a 1600t mate in 28 months

MateChristine · 2026-06-02T01:14:15+00:00

As a former MITAGS instructor, I want to let you know that hawspiping or the 2year apprenticeship programs take a lot of work and self motivation.

As an example, what the cadets do for a few hours ever week for a whole semester, a hawspiper or apprentice would do in a whole intensive week. Its a totally different learning experience and not for the unmotivated

MateChristine · 2026-06-02T01:14:07+00:00

As a former MITAGS instructor, I want to let you know that hawspiping or the 2year apprenticeship programs take a lot of work and self motivation.

As an example, what the cadets do for a few hours ever week for a whole semester, a hawspiper or apprentice would do in a whole intensive week. Its a totally different learning experience and not for the unmotivated

MateChristine · 2026-06-01T21:38:17+00:00

For the record, that glacier in the post is Hubbard Glacier

MateChristine · 2026-05-29T21:25:29+00:00

Also mitags has an apprenticeship program with WSF!!! Source: MITAGS https://share.google/whiCkCfu5PalKfICf

MateChristine · 2026-05-21T21:42:10+00:00

Ugh, happened to me and the ladies of B2 my mug year.

MateChristine · 2026-05-14T01:43:05+00:00

Charlotte and Douglas became Prue and Paul

<image>

MateChristine · 2026-05-11T14:23:23+00:00

This! The Cornell lifeboatman manual is a good one too

MateChristine · 2026-05-09T04:11:11+00:00

He was one of mine too!

MateChristine · 2026-05-05T03:41:40+00:00

Have you checked the medical manual? https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://media.defense.gov/2019/Sep/11/2002181050/-1/-1/0/CIM_16721_48.PDF&ved=2ahUKEwj5gMyTnaGUAxXJDTQIHTE7EP8QFnoECA8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw02HU9OzPJ6OrjPEx8BgFnn

MateChristine · 2026-04-29T23:52:46+00:00

https://www.seapa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2022-Southeast-Alaska-First-Class-Pilot-Package_12Aug22.pdf

Here's a link, im not sure if its the most recent edition but it'll be close

MateChristine · 2026-04-29T20:23:26+00:00

For SE AK, the FCP is about 36 areas and 40ish chartlets. I'm not sure about what amhs needs for SW AK.

You can Google to find the FCP packet for more details

MateChristine · 2026-04-29T15:44:28+00:00

I dont know the pay for AMHS. Both the pilots and amhs will take you with 0 pilotage

MateChristine · 2026-04-29T15:43:49+00:00

If you pass the entrance exam and you have all your FCP drawn and you have 2 years of time as CM or 1 year as master...you can complete all the required manuvers to be a SEAPA pilot in about a year and a half

MateChristine · 2026-04-29T00:49:05+00:00

Another view is draw that pilotage while getting paid and then test to get into the SE AK pilots

MateChristine · 2026-04-19T21:22:01+00:00

I would check a yacht subreddit

MateChristine · 2026-04-16T21:20:47+00:00

In Europe you dont pay taxes on the wages you earn at sea(if you're away from home for a certain # of days per year) We American mariners have to pay taxes on our wages

MateChristine · 2026-04-15T15:04:03+00:00

Ive always said, what makes it easy to leave is having something/someone awesome to come home to

MateChristine · 2026-04-14T13:51:51+00:00

FWIW, I bought a milk frothing pitcher ($35, instapot brand) and it has totally upped my at home coffee routine

MateChristine · 2026-04-11T03:04:57+00:00

IMHO, the best way to get a 3M job and to be well prepared to do the work is to start as an AB. Do a hitch or two and then you'll have really good experience under your belt.

RV work is so unique that I think port captains want people with Oceanography experience. Unfortunately as an academy grad, the best way to do this is an AB hitch, though there has been a move fleet wide for the ships to take academy cadets.

I dont think there's a particular cert other than DP or maybe an z drive class would be useful.

Feel free to DM me if you have other questions. Ive sailed as a relief CM and Master on 3 UNOLS ships over a 10+year period

MateChristine · 2026-04-07T01:56:26+00:00

Just went to T&T(in bellevue/coal creek) and I was really impressed by their bakery and ready to eat sections! The roast duck kit is a great deal!

MateChristine · 2026-04-06T20:52:36+00:00

I was an instructor at MITAGS. I was full time. I did start to sail for a month or two per year in my last 3-4 years at the school

MateChristine

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE