On Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:47:40 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:58:19 -0400, HK wrote:

Frogwatch wrote:

How's the fishin Harry? Do you live anywhere near Point Lookout?


For this area, the fishing is average. In comparison to everywhere in
Florida I have fished, that would translate to slower than slow.

We're north of Point Lookout, about an hour or so by car, depending on
traffic. I've driven there by car once, just to enjoy the vistas, and
have turned the corner, so to speak, on boats about a half-dozen times.
If I am driving down that way, it's most likely to attend something or
other at the Seafarers facility at Piney Point. A number of unions hold
social functions there.

http://www.seafarers.org/phc/PhotoGallery/facilities/

I heard about a training program SIU has for new merchant sailors,
leading to the CG license and....work.
There was a discussion about it on the cruising group.
Sounded like a neat program for youngsters.
No cost and free room and board, I think.
Quasi-military in that respect.
Used to be you had to get "sponsored" by a ship company, or have
military experience to get the license.
But U.S. Merchant Marine is just a wisp of what it once was.
Globalism.

Actually one of the few Unions that actually does something for it's
membership other than try to scam more money out of ownership for "job
banks" and such.

Their training program is first rate - equal to the various merchant
marine academies.