Finding a Job as a Mate

http://www.owlguru.com/career/mates-ship-boat-and-barge/requirements/

check this out and see if this applies to you

You'll need to be drug-free and pass a pre-employment drug test and be enrolled in a random drug testing program for any mate job on a boat.

TWIC card helpful, First Aid/CPR certified, Passport, also STCW certification if any boat you mate on goes to BVI ( http://www.captainschoolusvi.com/courses/stcw-courses.html). Many charter boat companies require mates to have this even if they don't.

Other skills: Basic boat handling skills and boat knowledge, good people person, strong swimmer/snorkeler.

You'll need to be drug-free and pass a pre-employment drug test and be enrolled in a random drug testing program for any mate job on a boat.

TWIC card helpful, First Aid/CPR certified, Passport, also STCW certification if any boat you mate on goes to BVI ( http://www.captainschoolusvi.com/courses/stcw-courses.html). Many charter boat companies require mates to have this even if they don't.

Other skills: Basic boat handling skills and boat knowledge, good people person, strong swimmer/snorkeler.

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Come down with first aid/cpr and get TWIC right away. I don’t use my TWIC often but they go nuts if you don’t have it when you need it. Passport card for BVIs - don’t use your regular book as it’ll get filed too fast. Lots of mate jobs here (STT) BUT you have to avoid the drug and drinking scene... well to a degree at least. Because the demand is low (lots of people doing what you want to do) you have to be good at it. There’s always someone to fill your seat if you fall. Know your wildlife! I’ve been offered jobs while working by other companies who heard me talking about or were on one of our trips. I do a lot of education of creatures and a few hands on (carefully and respectfully). I adore my boss - he’s like family - so I wouldn’t work anywhere else even for more money.

I will say that season is A LOT slower this year! First time in three years of STT that I’ve not worked both days and nights in all of Dec and Jan. Shame because last year when I lived in STX my STT boss was super slammed. Busy now in spring break but it’ll taper off early this year. I think (and hope) we will be back to business next season.

FWIW... boat jobs aren’t always what they’ve cracked up to be. Heavy lifting, hot, sweaty and boy hope you don’t get a raging alcholic a-hole boss/captain lol. Oh they’re out there. Lots of machismo *-) . You also always have to be “on” for your guests even if you’re sick and feel like crap or have the hangover from hell lol. Lastly and most importantly you’ll probably need a second job. I have three jobs. The pay is usually decent (I get paid well and love my job like no other) but trips can be unreliable especially in season, especially when we’ve had winters like this year. Mother Nature is a difficult business partner sometimes. Lol. Everything is expensive here so mate $ doesn’t go far. The views and being in our amazing water every day can’t be beat. 😉 I am SO glad to be back in rock city - an island with a pulse. 😉

Thank you all for the advice, much appreciated! Does anyone know if it'll be possible to pick up one of these jobs/service industry work in August, or would I be crazy to move down then?

Yea that’d be tough. It’s been a much slower season overal. For us it’s usually Aug-Oct limited water work. I will say this spring break was bangin! I’ve been in the water for two weeks straight days and nights and made some killer dough but gotta hoard it away for off season.

You will likely get a cheaper place though which over the year could offset the difference.