Some info/advice pls

mp09 · 10-06-2009, 02:33 AM

My partner and I are looking at moving to Boston MA next year.

I'm a Class 3 Engineer, and have been looking around for some work available in the New England area and have yet to find anything online.

Does someone have some info, leads or pointers that could help out in getting me in the right direction??

Many thanks
Matt

K1W1 · 10-06-2009, 03:11 AM

Hi,

Is it a full STCW 95 Class 3 CoC you have there?

What's your horsepower limit as Chief?

mp09 · 10-06-2009, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

Is it a full STCW 95 Class 3 CoC you have there?

What's your horsepower limit as Chief?

Hi there.

My Ticket is a MEC3 Foreign Going, full STCW 95

Not 100% sure on hp limits if any to be honest, as it is unlimited for Merchant work.
I understand I can be issued directly with a MCA Y3 upon application if required.

Judging my your name, I take it you're in the same country as I am

K1W1 · 10-06-2009, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mp09

My Ticket is a MEC3 Foreign Going, full STCW 95

Not 100% sure on hp limits if any to be honest, as it is unlimited for Merchant work.

It might be unlimited as Watchkeeper on a Motor Driven ship but won't have much more than 750 kW as Chief if my memory serves me correctly

Quote:

Originally Posted by mp09

I understand I can be issued directly with a MCA Y3 upon application if required.

Neither your NZ Merch Ticket or a Yacht Endorsed one will do you any good in the US on anything not foreign flagged. I am guessing your partner is from the MA area and not that you are just chancing finding a job there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mp09

Judging my your name, I take it you're in the same country as I am

Although I was born and bred here I am not usually here but I am this time dealing with a bit of business.

mp09 · 10-06-2009, 03:41 AM

Myself and Partner are both Kiwis, however she is looking at a exchange with the company she is with.

Are you aware of any ability to update/transfer either MEC3 or Y3 to a US ticket?

K1W1 · 10-06-2009, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mp09

Myself and Partner are both Kiwis, however she is looking at a exchange with the company she is with.

Will her transfer give you the right to work in the US?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mp09

Are you aware of any ability to update/transfer either MEC3 or Y3 to a US ticket?

I do not believe tnhere is any way especially not for the Y3 Ticket, you need to be a US Citizen to hold a US Licence except for a 6 Pak I believe.

There is another YF Member who seems to have encyclopedic knowledge of the ins and outs so I am sure he will have some comment on this matter better informed than mine.

What have you been on so far Deep Sea Fishing or the Inter Islander?

mp09 · 10-06-2009, 03:53 AM

Yes Greencards available.

6 years on Ferries
1 year Deep Sea Fishing
and some Coastal Merchant time

Henning · 10-06-2009, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mp09

Yes Greencards available.

6 years on Ferries
1 year Deep Sea Fishing
and some Coastal Merchant time

You're probably not going to get a job on your engineers ticket in Boston. The good news is, you won't need a license for most of the boats you'd be working locally, just a Greencard and experience. Your licenses will be a good selling point on interviews and applications though. There aren't any foreign flag large yachts that hang out in Boston. The jobs you'll get are on tour/dinner boats which are typically under 100 ton GRT ( 200 GT, all tonnages I'll list as GRT rather than GT since that's what you'll deal with in the US). US boats don't require a licensed engineer until 500 tons, and until you get into larger oilfield boats in the Gulf of Mexico, most all the work boats will be 499 or under for multiple reasons. There are also tugs working around there that are a good deal. Check around the docks, Boston is pretty much a union town, and I'm not sure which union runs the harbor there. MM&P is pretty much the lamest Maritime union in the states with SIU pretty much the best, at least in my experience. Expect to pay around $2000 union initiation fee.

Marmot · 10-06-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henning

"The jobs you'll get are ..."

None without a green card. Certainly none that require a merchant mariner's document because that ain't gonna happen without a green card. Citizenship is required for an engineer officer license and a yacht license has no equivalency in the US license scheme. There are no commercial maritime jobs available to a non-resident alien.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henning

"Boston is pretty much a union town, and I'm not sure which union runs the harbor there."

Again, without a green card and at least an MMD and TWIC there is no room in the union inn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henning[I

]"MM&P is pretty much the lamest Maritime union in the states with SIU pretty much the best, at least in my experience. Expect to pay around $2000 union initiation fee[/i].

?? That is certainly comparing apples to watermelons ... MMP is a licensed deck officer's union and SIU is an unlicensed union for deck, engine, and steward's department rates. And it is far down the list of "best" unions for unlicensed sailors, it's just the biggest and will let anyone in so they can collect government training subsidies. There is no way to compare them any more than you can compare a nurse's union to the AMA. And without a green card and a MMD even SIU is not an option.

mp09 · 10-06-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

at least an MMD and TWIC

Can you elaborate on the above terms?

So basically Class 3 Merchant isn't recognised either?

NYCAP123 · 10-07-2009, 12:31 AM

Merchant Mariner's Document; Transport Workers Identification Credential, both issued by Homeland Security,

mp09 · 10-07-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

Merchant Mariner's Document; Transport Workers Identification Credential, both issued by Homeland Security,

You can obtain them on a Greencard?

MMD - is that your ticket as such?

K1W1 · 10-07-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mp09

So basically Class 3 Merchant isn't recognised either?

That is the long and the short of it.

NYCAP123 · 10-07-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mp09

You can obtain them on a Greencard?

MMD - is that your ticket as such?

The MMD is your ticket and you MUST be a US citizen. Green card won't do. Not totally sure on the TWIC, but you can pick up that info through a Google search.

Marmot · 10-07-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mp09

You can obtain them on a Greencard?

MMD - is that your ticket as such?

Here's a link to the source: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/ peruse the pages and all will be revealed.

I am curious about the ease with which you believe you can obtain a green card by accompanying your girl friend to the US. Is she coming over as a high ranking diplomat or something?

Based on the information you've provided so far, if you can get a greencard and live in the US, you could sail unlicensed or you can get a yacht job based on your MEC. If you want to spend the time and money applying for an MCA CeC or the Y3 go ahead but you don't really have to since most yacht flag states will simply endorse your NZ MEC for service on the yacht. You need to look at the maritime authority web sites for Caymans and Marshall Islands for specifice information and application requirements.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.