/r/tuglife

Photograph via snooOG

A subreddit for all things commercial maritime.

A subreddit for tugboats specifically but also can help with commercial mariners or anyone interested in the industry. Please post your tugboat related photos.

Like most subreddits, you can denote original material with an [oc].

For information regarding how to get into the industry, check out this thread.

If you find this type of material interesting, you may want to check out these subreddits -

Tuglife Photo Slideshow

/r/tuglife

10,068 Subscribers

1

Kirby Corp

Sadly I was unable to make it to the December 2nd training for Kirby, so I wanted to see how many others are starting training after the first of the year.

0 Comments
2024/11/30
08:24 UTC

1

I’m heading to a job fair for southern devall.

So I’m heading to a job fair. The company is southern devall. What general everyday questions should I expect ? TIA. And I apologize if this has been asked before. I’m going in as a newbie to the job fair

4 Comments
2024/11/30
01:15 UTC

33

I don’t think tugboats are for me

I spent all of my 20’s working on yachts up and down the eastern coast and Caribbean. Worked my way up to a mate and got a license. I loved it for a long time, but I wanted to stop living out of a duffle bag and make time for some hobbies and a life I put to the side for it.

I moved to NY and found a deckhand job on a tug up here hoping this would be a solid compromise. I was definitely very wrong. I’ve honestly never had so much anxiety in my life. The work isn’t hard at all, which honestly may be worse than if we were busy. The 2 weeks on feel like 2 months and the 2 weeks off feel like 2 days. It feels like I’m in a prison for 2 weeks. Crew onboard isn’t bad. They’re all nice people, but seems like no one really wants to be there.

I feel so trapped. I have no idea what to do with my life if I leave the maritime industry. It feels like none of these skills transfer over to anything in the real world. I guess this is partially a rant, but also looking for advice.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far.

25 Comments
2024/11/29
11:59 UTC

3

Deckhand Pay Rates (Green)

I’m currently applying for many companies as an entry level deckhand (Fleet) in the Houston area & was wanting some insight on the different pay rates from each. I’ve applied for these companies so far (Ingram, Blessey, Marquette & Campbell) Does anyone have an idea of the pay rates for these companies? Would be really appreciated!

10 Comments
2024/11/29
07:21 UTC

5

New ship assist job

Next week I am starting a new job on a ship assist tug as a deckhand. I’ve worked on ATB’s before but never done any ship assist.

What can I expect as far as workload, job duties (different than working on an ATB), and learning curve? I will be the only deckhand on the tug.

Thank you!

11 Comments
2024/11/26
19:42 UTC

2

Winter apparel recommendations.

Hey guys looking for jacket recommendations for New York winter time. I don’t really like float coats because I always end up getting super sweaty in them even with short sleeves on underneath. So does anyone know a good wind proof water proof jacket that’s warm? I see a lot of different advertisements on tik tok but I don’t trust tik tok shop. So any recommendations along with pants that you guys use will be great!

5 Comments
2024/11/25
21:22 UTC

3

Adm starting deckhand pay

I know, I know. This is the same question that seems to be asked a lot, but I haven't seen an answer for ADM tugs out of St Louis or Memphis. What is pay like for a starting deckhand? I am a workaholic and this factory life I'm in right now ain't for me. I've been heavy considering this for a while, and thinking this is the move but not sure what actual bring home is. They say $300 a day, but is that $9k / hitch bring home or pre tax? Anything helps, thanks in advance.

16 Comments
2024/11/24
03:08 UTC

2

Pay Rate?

So I have an in on a company that tows the Hudson from NYC to Albany, and was guaranteed a job once I have my MMC. I don't know much about the local pay here; can anyone tell me what I should expect to make as an OS? I'm going to take the job as long as it covers my bills, just to break into the industry but I don't want to get hosed and settle for like 170 when I could make more

EDIT: Sorry for the confusion guys, 170 would be the bare minimum I need to survive, I haven't talked about wages at all

44 Comments
2024/11/24
02:07 UTC

7

Sea School Alabama

I'm looking at taking my STCW Basic training at Sea School in Alabama because I heard they supply room and board. The website has zero info about this though. I attempted to call, left name and number, haven't heard back. Anyone with some recent insight with this place? I'm in NY but was willing to fly out there since I heard it was the best value; although I heard that from some that have been in this field for awhile so I don't know if things have changed. Or, do you know of other decent places I can take the course closer to me?

22 Comments
2024/11/23
01:06 UTC

3

Kirby corp

Passed my rescheduled drug test today was not expecting it to be observed sheesh. Do they do another drug test upon arrival to training or what? What’s the training like what all chores do they have you doing etc.

16 Comments
2024/11/21
01:02 UTC

0

40 hour tankerman

I’m taking my 40 hour tankerman test tomorrow. Any last minute tips??

0 Comments
2024/11/19
04:07 UTC

3

Jobs hiring an OS

0 Comments
2024/11/18
18:38 UTC

12

Kirby Corp update

After I retake the drug test Wednesday cause my first one was cancelled for some reason I’ll be heading to seamanship class December 2nd!! After passing the 21 days of training I’ll officially be on the water. I’m excited what should I start practicing?

11 Comments
2024/11/18
02:52 UTC

3

Anyone with experience working at Southern Devall ?

Thinking about applying. What is starting pay like for entry level deckhand ?

2 Comments
2024/11/17
19:00 UTC

18

Finished "Mural"

Just came to a good stopping point on my mural on the underside of the top bunk in my stateroom. Not my design. Measures 33"x24". Will touch up areas but it has been a good time killer while on the boat.

Anyone else making art on the boat?

4 Comments
2024/11/17
05:46 UTC

9

Duffel bags

My new company has us hopping on flights and my previous gear bag is destroyed from getting snagged on something. It was free from the company so I'm not too worked up about it and gather that it was cheaply made. I'm looking for new gear bags worth it, I don't mind the price.

Rn I'm looking at B.A.D. gear bags. But they don't have the size I want in stock.

19 Comments
2024/11/15
13:05 UTC

7

OS Deckhand

I've applied to at least 30 companies at this point and the only people that get back with me are telling me they aren't hiring OS's. I see everyone saying once you have your MMC, medical certificate, TWIC and passport it's easy but I have all 4 and still no luck for a few months now. Am I doing something wrong? Looking for advice at this point.

63 Comments
2024/11/14
22:06 UTC

6

Equal Time Tug Companys

Good day, I recently got my AB and lifeboatmen credentials. I’ve been searching and looking for tug boat companies that offer 30 day on 30 day off hitches or 28 on 28 off aka. (Equal time) hitches. If anyone can recommend some companies I appreciate all feedback thank you…

3 Comments
2024/11/14
09:52 UTC

2

Jobs around Ms, Louisiana, and even Florida for entry level deckhand ???

I’ve been applying to jobs and haven’t heard anything back from them at all. Any other jobs with entry level opening appreciated

1 Comment
2024/11/12
21:41 UTC

7

Stevens Towing starting pay?

I have my MMC, Twic, and Medical Certificate. I’m green as far as tugboats but I have almost 5 years of experience on a 100 ton tour boat.

Just curious if anyone knows what the starting pay would look like?

7 Comments
2024/11/11
18:29 UTC

5

Which kind of tug for lifestyle?

Hello all!

I think that I’m interested in Ocean going tugs? I like the idea of long haul trips (etc WA to AK) or west coast to Hawaii. It sounds like larger crews and longer trips. Is this in reality a good path or should I just try to work my way up to large cargo ships.

I specifically like the idea of ocean going but not long times away (I like 30-60 days away versus 6-8 months )

If this exists which companies should I look into? And any other advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks !

3 Comments
2024/11/10
04:06 UTC

2

Florida jobs?

What are some tug companies based out of Florida? (Preferably south east FL)

I am looking for an AB/Deckhand job with short hitches, or better yet one where I can go home at night. All info is appreciated, thank you.

2 Comments
2024/11/09
21:17 UTC

11

Tanker movements in a tight port

3 Comments
2024/11/09
20:43 UTC

35

A painting of mine. A tug with the lower east side of Manhattan in the background. Anyone ever work on a tug in New York?

15 Comments
2024/11/09
16:31 UTC

Back To Top