Want more work freedom? Use these steps to guide yourself to your maritime dream job.
Working as a tugboat or barge captain is a job geared toward the adventurous. If you want to exchange the desk and computer for a life outside the office, this is the job for you. To attain the position, you will need to invest time in researching the company meant for you and the type of hauling you want to do. This can be a relatively simple task if you write down a list of everything you want your job to be, which will help you determine whether you want to work in the harbor or pull long hauls in a barge.
Instructions
1. Research the tugboat and barge companies around where you live or the areas where you would like to live. Search the Internet or browse through phone books to create a list of names and contact information for the various companies who have open positions.
2. Contact the companies by either calling the phone numbers or viewing their website. Look for keywords describing the job requirements for the position you want. Make sure you thoroughly research the job description to fully understand the demands, rigors, and benefits of the job. For example, if you want to be a tugboat captain working in a harbor, learn what hours and days of the week you'd be required to work, what physical and mental demands the job has, whether you'd be working alone or with others, and what pay and benefits you'd receive.
3. Browse the website or ask the phone agent for the job requirements. This will help you to determine steps you'll need to take to apply for the job. In some cases, and if you would like to work for the U.S. Coast Guard, you'll have to pass an exam to enroll into a highly selective training course. If you need to pass an exam in order to apply to the job you want, gather information and study materials for the test. If you have to take a maritime course, research the cost, times, and demands of the course. To gather information about maritime exams and courses, it's best to call and speak to an agent of the company you're interested in working for so that they can personally answer your questions and clarify any misconceptions.
4. Arrange to take a maritime course or exam. Spend any time prior to the course or exam independently researching tugboat or barge duties, mechanics, and specifics online. Volunteer or get a job around or on a tugboat to gain experience working on a vessel and to learn from captains and coworkers. The more outside information you can bring to the course or exam, the better your chances of success.
Tags: course exam, tugboat barge, gather information, help determine, maritime course