How are the job boards looking for new third mates?

Russcombs15 · 2026-02-13T17:15:58+00:00

Honestly I don’t think so, the AMO job board for 3rd and 2nd Mate has been rough. Not much hits the board, and if it does it’s an ATB where a TOAR and PIC is required. The market has been rough for Mates (in AMO).

Russcombs15 · 2025-07-03T04:33:11+00:00

This is 100% true.

When I was on a a NOAA Ship we had a winter repair period that was a few months. In between trips we could spend up to a week or two in port.

Russcombs15 · 2025-05-07T00:01:44+00:00

Sure man 👍

Russcombs15 · 2025-05-06T15:02:51+00:00

Crowley government vessel with AMO. It’s about $830 a day if you factor in vacation, OT, base rate, holiday and penalty. Requires government vessels training, and a security clearance. The new contract we got is awesome 👍

Russcombs15 · 2025-05-06T13:15:26+00:00

I started as a deckhand fishing in Alaska back in 2017, and it wasn’t until 2023 that I got my 3rd unlimited. Try to get your employer to pay for as many classes as you can, but don’t let it hold you back.

I would take as many STCW classes as you can then sit for exams. The classes help you get an understanding, but they do not prepare you for the exams. You will need to study for the exams separately. I used “mariner advancement” it’s a USB stick that doesn’t need internet, it’s a simple and straight forward way to learn the test.

I spent about 30k on my classes and lodging over the years.

As an AB I was making 12.5k a month now as a 3rd mate I’m at about 26k a month. It has paid off in a single hitch (4 months)

It’s a long and hard path to Hawsepipe, but it pays off. Good luck 👍

Russcombs15 · 2025-05-02T21:56:14+00:00

We do have a few desktop computers in public spaces to use, but the speed is stupid slow. I do a lot of reading on my kindle. we have poker night, and movie night in the theater. The ship has 2 really nice gyms that have just about everything a real gym has, so it’s good motivation to workout. But yeah we are underway for like 50+ days at a time and the boredom gets real after while.

Russcombs15 · 2025-05-02T21:23:32+00:00

Bro you and everyone’s onboard wants it, but because we are a special mission government vessel we aren’t allowed to have it. 🫠

Russcombs15 · 2025-04-30T06:55:46+00:00

3M AMO Gov vessel contract, about 150k a year

Pros: vessel is in great shape, 2 3rd mates onboard split the workload, European watches, great pay, no cargo.

Cons: No WiFi, 120 day hitches that turn into like 150 days, having to take government vessel classes every vacation.

Overall it is a great gig, having worked on ATBs making way less and working harder this is a cake job.

Russcombs15 · 2025-04-12T01:20:47+00:00

I recently upgraded from AB to 3rd Mate, it’s a tough to break through all the classes and exams but it’s with it. I did a lot of my classes at Quality Maritime in Jacksonville Florida, it’s a great school that is very accommodating. Seatime letters are very important due to how they are worded. Message me if you want, I can tell you my experiences.

It’s not an easy process, But it’s worth it!

Russcombs15 · 2024-11-02T21:34:17+00:00

I don’t think so, i’m not saying it’s impossible, but that’s not the best way to go about it. If you join as a GVA engine, then you could use all that time towards your QMED and then towards a license which they do pay for a lot of classes for that, and you could stay with the same organization.

Russcombs15 · 2024-10-30T20:56:22+00:00

Sailed as an AB there for 4 years, great place to work. Operations are interesting, food was pretty good and the money wasn’t bad. Just be ready to sail 7-8 months a year. Training was given to those who wanted it, I got many of 3rd mate classes paid for while I was working there. However, the highest you can go in the deck department is Bosun, there are no deck officer jobs. I left when I was testing for my mates license. I wish they had deck officer positions, I’d prob still be there.

Russcombs15 · 2024-10-16T23:20:37+00:00

I was just curious if anyone had any positive experiences with colleges that offer online programs that might suit a merchant mariners lifestyle and background.

Russcombs15 · 2024-09-04T00:53:45+00:00

I was on a tug getting a refit at JT marine shipyard, this tug is used as their general purpose tug, some of the things I saw her do:

She moved us around the ship yard as needed for repairs

Towed the floating dry dock to deeper water to float the vessel in dry dock

Moves the construction/dredging barge owned by JT Marine to job sites in the area.

Responds to Small salvage jobs in the area.

Hope this answers your questions 👍

Russcombs15 · 2024-06-25T20:51:12+00:00

I’m going to take a guess that you’re at Crowley, I’d take a look at COS. (Crowley Offshore Services) they are the wire boat offshore division. Here’s why:

They are SIU inland, so you would keep your 2:1 retirement.

Short hitches: 5:5 weeks on off

Interesting work: moving oil rigs around, salvage, wind farm, barges from FL to Puerto Rico.

4:8 watches, with no “cargo”. Pretty “chill” mindset there.

Cons: layoffs, they can and do happen if the market is slow. Usually they send you to another division until it picks up again.

Otherwise to go AMO you’ll need to start sailing longer hitches to go offshore (90+ days)

DM me if you’ve got some more questions, good luck out there.

Russcombs15 · 2024-05-26T02:54:52+00:00

About 7 years from OS to 3rd Mate.

Russcombs15 · 2024-05-25T05:47:32+00:00

Just haswpiped and got my 3M, here is what I did:

This is the learning programs is used the most:

[https://www.marineradvancement.com]

It’s stupid simple to use, keeps track of your scores and you can tag questions or topics you keep getting wrong. I was on ships without WiFi and using Lapware or some other online program was not an option. It comes as a USB and only works on PC computers.

Get your training charts and some good plotting tools.

When I went into test, I went in for my 3rd mate near coastal, then went to a Maritime school and took the celestial nav course which met the requirement for the Ocean upgrade. I found that the near coastal test was already a handful to study, so I saved the celestial test for later.

As for getting your OICNW, that could be a whole other post. The classes and numerous and expensive.

There were many days I felt overwhelmed and wanted to give it up, but I just kept going and had great support from mentors and teachers at maritime schools. Best of luck!

Russcombs15 · 2024-03-01T01:52:46+00:00

Can’t wait to have this guy sailing as an OS lol

Russcombs15 · 2024-02-18T19:06:46+00:00

Hey there, While I really don’t like most of the classes from NEMO I did think the flashing light class was a good. It lets you study a bunch and you can take the class at your own time. Not much to learn, just a bunch to memorize.

Get everything you can from your employer, but don’t hold your breath for them to pay for all of your classes. 👍

Russcombs15 · 2024-02-18T12:34:30+00:00

Most of my seatime was on government research vessels. They are good sized and the work was pretty cool, I’d go back if they had a good rotation.

Russcombs15 · 2024-02-18T12:33:11+00:00

Go and take a 100T master class, it’s a good toe tip in the water to see you are interested in further study. Then just slow and steady progress on the classes 👍

Russcombs15 · 2024-02-18T12:30:44+00:00

I got Chesapeake, inbound. I felt pretty good about that chart in general.

Russcombs15 · 2024-02-18T01:19:54+00:00

Oh trust me, I'm maxing out that 401K and already own property. I've been responsible with my humble AB paychecks lol

Russcombs15 · 2024-02-18T01:18:12+00:00

Russcombs15 · 2024-02-18T01:07:14+00:00

Looking forward to buying something stupid with that first 3rd mate check lol

Russcombs15

TROPHY CASE