Here’s a bulletin: you might be a merchant mariner (I am) but you work in the merchant marine. You don’t have to be literate in order to earn a living but as a merchant mariner, I wish you would more accurately REPRESENT!

You're hilarious man and I love the music. That's not a bad kick in the pants, without the $7000 bonus, you're looking at about $9000 a month. If you just straight up go sea full time and did that same amount of OT you're looking at $108,000 a year.

Got a question for you, how did you make it through your academy for cost? MITAGS Seattle offers no need-based scholarships/financial aid and that city is expensive. What tips do you recommend to hack into your industry early on?

200 years ago merchant ships had cannons down both sides, now you can't even have small arms? wtf happened?

Wow nice men, love this 😮😮😮

What the hell are doing?? Revealing all your self-protection methods I think is a very unwise thing to do.

2:10 they're shooting the edge of their own boat. Look at the paint as they shoot lmao. The shrapnel and bullet fragments are no joke at the close of a distance.

Longshorman here. I work some of the ships some of the guys commenting. Thanks for the video. Very interesting.

crazy how we aren’t allowed to be armed ourselves

Concertina wire, aka razor wire

How is overtime pay calculated? is it still time and a half like it is working a regular job?

That last video where the panels fell on the bridge was an RPG. The boat was alongside. They were aiming an RPG at the bridge. One mercenary shot the pirate and he fell dead into their skiff. The RPG went off against the side of the ship. Full vid is out there.

Wow this video was much needed . Unless people watch the Captain Phillips movie they can only understand. Be safe out there on the water Dean . Thanks for doing this video . Questions ... Whats the worse you've seen with the water ? Like waves wise when there is a storm. Does the ship get washed up with the waves ? When hurricanes or tornadoes are about do y'all evacuate? What's the longest contract you signed for when being on the ship ? What happens if you break the contract ?

Russias been running ships that look like cruise ships, but turns out to be wealthy trolls with an arsenal on board.

Do yk anyone hiring entry level ?

How old is too old to join merchant marines? I think I'm a little too old now for this adventure 😂

What food is reccomended to bring to have a diet healthy enough to do manual work?

Really like your videos Dean. Keep it up. Im working on getting my entry level documents so i can take a swing at it. I worked inland towboats 15 years ago and have been dreaming of getting back out there on the water.

I imagine no internet is going to be a thing of the past very soon with satellite networks.

Do you think ARC pays more? I’m looking at the board right now I see the Liberty Passion, RORO, I wonder if they pay similar. Only three pages here in MI :( lol

Besides the engine breaking down can you do a story time of one of the days on the ship that gave you a fright ? Have you gotten drug tested yet ? Have you seen the pirates out there yet ? If you see pirates what's y'all protocol?

Love this channel, informative and fun

So the other 4 months, you are at home on vacation? I am a truck driver and my family is overseas. Not being restricted to a city/state is something that has always interested me about your work. Plus, who else gets that much vacation!!!???

Ahh, I live in Jacksonville! Do I have to go to school to do this?

Great videos. Please do a ship tour when you can.

Get starlink for internet

MY JOHN

How did you get your knee treated? What happens if someone needs urgent care? And when not urgent but in a lot of pain?

Can i sail if i have a open court case? I haven't been indicted. Will the other countries check background and ask for my id when we pull into port in different countries?

What type of ships travel to the most countries?

Writing on my pocket journal is a part of me. When can I write such that I go on without getting in trouble? 😂😂

What if I already obtained my MMC,STCW And my MMC says I’m qualified for Ordinary Seaman Wiper Steward (F.H) Do I still have to attend piney point SIU?

I'm headed there this week thanks for the insight

Biggest thing is not only did you make 42k you’re expenses while you were gone were low so you have most of that money. I always tell people this is one of the last careers that you can really make some money and set yourself up for the future. Even if you don’t want to sail for a long time. Sail 5 years, stack some cash, buy a house and pay it off, and invest. After 5 years you can go do whatever. Pay yourself first as they say. Skip the brand new 90k truck and bullshit materialistic stuff. Set yourself up for the future. I went to an Academy and then climbed the ranks. I highly recommend you get your mates license and start making even more $.

894, just finished my phase 5 in October Heading to Union hall/job board in Michigan (I’m from ohio) Tuesday

Awesome video 👏🏽 I really enjoy when you talk . Keep up the great content. Was there a lot of test you had to do at the school ? What do they make you wear the whole time ? I get that it's set up like the military but are you constantly wearing boots all day ? Is there certain weight requirements. What happens if you can't complete the physical task ? Like do they have y'all running miles ?

883 tappin in! I agree the training was really good for the most part. Too much complaining is done about the training at the school.

I worked inland for 2 years and now I desisted to go off shore so I just got my AB and now I’m going to school for my stcw. I’m wonder where this journey is going to take me

Is the Covid vaccine required to go to SIU and be in this industry?

I want to join the industry but the wait at the SIU apprenticeship wait is so long

I am currently sailing with America Cruise Line, and after my hitch, I will have 275 days of sea time, which should qualify me for my AB rating. I hope so.

Do you guys get Saturdays and Sundays off?

You said five months? I thought the training at Piney Point was for 4 months. Did it change?

Dean I am not picturing you with locks 😂😂 now you have to post a picture fr

Dean ,what's the test like there at Paul hall center, multiple choice?

How much are SIU union dues ?

Great video. One thing i would add in the "Con" section is you have to wait at home with no paycheck in between phases so plan for that and don't blow your money. Save everything you can. I left my phase 2 ship july 1st and and am still waiting on my phase 4 ship so that's about 4 months without a paycheck.

Hell yeah!

Running up stairs and pushups? I thought the SIU apprentice program didn’t include fitness training.

Can you help me or refer me in siu?