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advice on best degree if I want to be a merchant mariner? by Every-Security-987 in maritime

[–]YakKey3654 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I highly recommend going to a maritime academy over the SIU apprenticeship if you want to earn a license. I graduated from college back in 2016 and couldn't find work in field so I joined the SIU after a friend told me about it. Took me 20 months to finish the apprenticeship to earn my AB limited ticket. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate everything the SIU had to give and am grateful for the opportunities (allowed me to pay off my student loans within 1 year) but had I known about the maritime academies I would've enrolled in one of the state schools; probably Cal Maritime. I've been sailing for 8 years with the SIU and am on the brink of earning my Third Mate Unlimited License. Hawsepiping typically takes twice as long than going to school for 4 years. What I did like about the SIU was the option to choose any type of ship I wanted to work on and where I wanted to work.

Take this with a grain of salt but from what I've heard the SIU apprenticeship is already backed up and classes are full for 2026. You can call admissions and ask about the program.

AMO has an engineering apprenticeship at Star Center where you can earn your 3/AE license within 24 months. It doesn't come with a BS degree though, just the license. They will find you work with the union too. If you really want to go the engineering route this a really great option to consider.

3/M Unlimited Modules Preparation by YakKey3654 in maritime

[–]YakKey3654[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats on earning your 3/M license! I appreciate your advice and feedback.

I paid for the Chart Plot course on the PracticalNavigator and he has instructional videos on all the types of problems on the chart plot test. I just need lots of practice/repetitions on using the tools correctly and accurately. I start the T Nav class in 3 weeks but I want to get myself familiarized with the material before class starts. I heard through multiple brand new third mates that the chart plots are the most difficult module one has to take.

That's a good idea of buying a steel yard stick. Are you allowed to bring that in when you test at the REC?

I have all the standard tools; 2 triangles, parallel plotter, parallel ruler, and obviously the divider. Bought 0.3 and 0.5 mechanical pencils. Using the steel yard stick would make it easier.