Since everyone else spills their guts here I though Id give you an
update on my life.

After a year working as an Able Seaman down in the bayous I can say
without a doubt if you are out of work, old, fat, a hateful racists,
cant read or write come on down and youll fit right in.

Whats next...... after logging 360 days on vessels over 100 grt Im off
to Mate school in 3 months. This will cost $17,000 and last 6 months.
Why? I thought it might be fun walking out with a 1600 ton Mate
license and there are some classes I want to take anyway.

In 2002 a bunch of licensing (CFRs/STCW) changes occured so the reason
for the 6 months worth of classes. No more are the days when any Joe
can get his bubba-in-law to write up some fake seatime and end up in
the wheelhouse and then log more seatime to advance. The captains Ive
ran into here have been grandfathered in year after year with each new
round of increased requirments. You have to remember the GOM OSV (oil
&mineral) fleet has there own licensing system.

My advice to all here who is looking for something to do or just want
to make some money come on down. The bar is set pretty low. It has to
be. There are jobs in the oilpatch but you have to have the patience
of Buda.

Humm, I wonder what I should do with a 1600 ton Mate
license.................... maybe work the Seattle ferries. Ya, that
would be fun !

Bob