Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
While I did start a thread early with work related stuff....i figure I would ask this separate. While I have always worked a office type job. My outside passion is boating. I do know in red hook they have a captains school or something of the such that I see when I visit.
I would love to switch over to a career geared in that direction.
My question is that over saturated market to try and get into? Is it worth it to even pursue?
I currently own a 36' boat (not fishing). So I am not green on the water. Just not a licensed captain either is all.
Posted : June 18, 2015 4:32 pm
http://www.captainschoolusvi.com/
You will find that getting a USCG license is only a 1st step on that career path. You will also Have to be in Drug Testing program - have CPR certificate -a Medical Card - have STCW certs - and a TWIC card to get even the entry level job.
And you will need 360 DAYS underway signed for the Sea Service requirement to even get an OUPV* - [six passenger small vessel]
*****Operator Uninspected Power Vessel
And it is not an inexpensive license to obtain and maintain.
The market is maybe not saturated on the job scene but certainly competitive and not particularly easy to find good paying jobs at first.
It is a great career path and can lead to excellent opportunities as your experience accumulates - but it is always a lot of time away from home and carries some serious responsibility from the start and even more as you get more certifications on your license.
If you pursue that path you will learn that there are a lot of regulations involved - especially when you start doing International trips [BVI e.g.]
Posted : June 18, 2015 6:14 pm
It is costly for the certifications in both time on water and money.
Plus you really do need to know your local waters as those that do will have hiring preference over those that don't. It's entirely different being a hired captain/crew than running your own boat for fun.
Posted : June 18, 2015 6:30 pm
Topic starter
It is costly for the certifications in both time on water and money.
Plus you really do need to know your local waters as those that do will have hiring preference over those that don't. It's entirely different being a hired captain/crew than running your own boat for fun.
I would be looking to be a hired captain and not run my own boat (not in anytime soon at least).
I am not bringing my boat with me. It will be sold prior to coming there and maybe i will buy something once settled but that is way down the line. Also while i know there is a few powerboats down there, they are not the best for around the islands.
Posted : June 18, 2015 7:08 pm
You have to have all your time on water documented and certs. in hand prior to being hired as a captain by any reputable company.
Posted : June 18, 2015 7:13 pm
Topic starter
You have to have all your time on water documented and certs. in hand prior to being hired as a captain by any reputable company.
I figured that as well.
The reality is I would be looking to work form the bottom up while working to attain my license. I just didn't know if there was a saturated market for someone to do what I am looking to do. Seems like there would be to me.
Posted : June 18, 2015 7:22 pm
Many do it. There are certainly opportunities.
Posted : June 18, 2015 8:00 pm
"Also while i know there is a few powerboats down there, they are not the best for around the islands."
I'm not sure why you say this. Power boats are the perfect way to get places. Many visitors want to go to the Baths and JVD. You need a power boat for this. Some of the captains I know worked on day boats (Bad Kitty, New Horizons, etc) before getting their own boat. Also there are folks who captain for Naughty Nymph, etc. You will need to spend some time learning the lay of the, uh, ocean.
Posted : June 18, 2015 10:02 pm
Yes, it is oversaturated. There are many, many experienced licensed captains here already. That said, people come and go around here in the boating industry.
If you already have enough sea time to meet USCG requirements, you can get your captain's license after jumping through all the aforementioned hoops. You might want to start out working as crew, which can be a tougher gig to land around here if you aren't young and female.
It is not a fast or easy way to make money, and depending on the guests you take out on any given day, it can be an amazing day or absolutely awful. Yes, you are paid to be on the water all day, but keep in mind you are ultimately in the hospitality industry.
That said, on the good days, if you love boating, there is no better gig. Good luck!
Posted : June 18, 2015 10:29 pm
Topic starter
"Also while i know there is a few powerboats down there, they are not the best for around the islands."
I'm not sure why you say this. Power boats are the perfect way to get places. Many visitors want to go to the Baths and JVD. You need a power boat for this. Some of the captains I know worked on day boats (Bad Kitty, New Horizons, etc) before getting their own boat. Also there are folks who captain for Naughty Nymph, etc. You will need to spend some time learning the lay of the, uh, ocean.
Not as in "power" by motor.....as in speed boat. My current boat is a 36', i/o - twin big block, flashy, loud speed boat that fits about 8 people max.
Those are what I mean by not the best for getting around down there. A nice CC with outboards seems to be the way to go from my visits down there.
current boat
Posted : June 18, 2015 10:50 pm
Nice! You'd have fun here with that, checking out all our nearby islands and there's lots of them. It's easier to get jobs if you have boat handling experience. There's lots of rental boat and yacht companies. Of course, you'd have to start as crew since you'd need
a license to operate as a captain for hire. Check out the link that Exit Zero posted for the captain's school.
Posted : June 18, 2015 11:10 pm
Yes, there are plenty of go-fast boats around. The carnival boat races, the various poker runs...you would have fun.
Posted : June 19, 2015 12:47 am
