How To Work on a Tug Boat

In this video I talk about why you might want to pursue a job on a Tug Boat and why you may not. I talk about what you need to be eligible for employment, the credentials and background checks you need, as well as the paths for advancement and compensation.
Below are the links to where to apply for your TWIC card and MMC.
TSA - TWIC card;
www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic
USCG - MMC;
www.dco.uscg.mil/nmc/merchant...

[@qd63991]

“I love my job”, what an understatement, Captain Tim. Your videos let so many of us subscribers live vicariously through your work and posts. Thank you!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you so very much! Comments like yours mean the world to me!

[@elnumber9509]

Hey, good date mate! I have I’m getting on a tugboat tomorrow with little knowledge of how to tie a tugboat, any pointers you can give me?

[@macleadg]

My Dad was an airline pilot, and was gone for extended periods. Our holidays would be moved to whatever day he could be home. He was a great Dad, best ever. You’re 100% right: good parenting is good parenting, bad is bad. Job doesn’t matter.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching. Yes i agree. Be safe.

[@Boeinguy]

That’s what I’ve done for 29 years... my kids are awesome

[@Barz365]

just finished up with the navy and didn't really know what to do, you sir, have just given me a path. thank you so much!!!!

[@TimBatSea]

Joel. First, thank you for your service! And thank you for watching and please consider subscribing. Best of luck to you and let me know if I can help out. Stay in touch. Would love to here that you got a job and loved it.

[@Barz365]

@@TimBatSea Subscribed and really appreciate all the info in your videos, I will be sure to give updates as they come! If I have any questions I will send them your way, Thanks again, Tim.

[@TimBatSea]

@@Barz365 very good. Be safe!

[@TheMidnightHighway]

Dude, same boat lol.

[@mccarthysoutdoorsandgunclu446]

Sea life was INCREDIBLE for me. I worked on a 220' AHTS Tow/Supply vessel, 7,000 hp, towing drilling rigs and setting them. Our longest tow I took part in was 51 days on the wire. Hooked up, 12 miles South of Santa Barbara, Ca. To the Northern most Reaches of the Bering Sea. Tug life, is absolutely wonderful.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much for watching and welcome to the channel. I hope you have time to watch our adventures, albeit not nearly as epic as that tow to the Bearing Sea. CUOTO

[@mccarthysoutdoorsandgunclu446]

@@TimBatSea heck yes I'll be watching. I do miss tow life. Its all good and relaxing.

[@keithlennox8195]

😊😊​@@TimBatSea

[@michaelkilty9262]

Your lifestyle is exactly what mine is as a long haul freighter pilot. I really enjoy watching your videos. Had aviation not been my road, I think Maritime would have been. Keep them coming!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much for watching Michael. If you are new to the channel, Welcome. Please consider subscribing. I try to post new content every Tuesday. One of my first Patrons is also a pilot that flys cargo. He actually picked up the sailboat I bought and helped me sail it up to Rhode Island last spring, and then again down to Puerto Rico. (Be sure to check out the trip on my other channel SV Paquita). CUOTO

[@jimcarnicom9417]

Capt., excellent video. I'll never be in this world, but I really enjoy learning. Thanks. I love seeing PR in the background!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you. Yes Puerto Rico is a beautiful spot and the only warmer than the weather are the people. Thank you for watching.

[@willieowens2325]

Ive learned alot from this video you have to positive work hard I need to apply

[@garylivingston9052]

My dad was a tugboat captain and was gone a lot. It sucked having him miss so many things. He is 87 years old now and he says he has a lot of regrets about being absent in our lives but he provided well for us. Thanks for the video.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Gary. CUOTO

[@b.szaloky6002]

It is amazing to see that you answer every comment! We need more people like you on KZbin :) as a sailboat skipper in the process of obtaining my commercial license I love watching your videos!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching. Please consider subscribing if you haven't already. It really helps out the channel. CUOTO

[@bobmac2610]

Great job of relating information about the job, the lifestyle, the good parts, the potential tougher parts...you can really sense your love of the job by your enthusiasm. I had an uncle who worked for many years in the NY area on Moran tugs and he really enjoyed it too. Be safe, thanks for sharing.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much for watching Bob. If you are new to the channel, welcome and please consider subscribing. I try to post new content every Tuesday. Your uncle worked for a very good and well respected company. CUOTO

[@MudAndMarineCustoms]

Excellent video Capt! I’ve just spent half the night watching and I’m addicted. I just subscribed because I can’t wait to see updates. I got my 50T MMC about 3 years ago...working on my 100T or larger. Now at 40 years old I am finally pursuing my dream and transitioning from running a marina to running a wheelhouse full time. I just recently secured a position in your area Raritan Bay/NY Harbor and I can’t wait to begin this journey! It was a tough sell to my wife, but what it could mean to our family in 15-20 years is worth the punches I will take now! Keep up the great work and the awesome videos.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching and subscribing! Looking forward to seeing you in the kills.

[@fredeastman381]

When it gets under your skin and in your blood it becomes your compassion! You sir are a true mariner, especially when you mention “working on the water or the beach!” I started out just like you and worked my way up (on tenders and dredges). Thank you and yes it’s rewarding work.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Fred. I really appreciate it! Please consider Subscribing if you haven't already. I try to post new content every Tuesday.

[@rickowens4397]

Tim, I really appreciate your obvious high regard for your work. Thanks

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Rick. I am blessed in having a job i love. CUOTO

[@robnewell6123]

Great info Tim, thank you. Glad you found your passion which shows in your work, its a blessing to enjoy your profession. Kudos for balancing your schedule around family.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much for watching Rob. I appreciate the kind words. Please consider subscribing if you haven't already.

[@HenryHeymusic]

Wow! Just found your channel today - via a sailing area that posted your ‘rule of tonnage’ video. So much great stuff here! I have a ton of respect for responsible professional mariners like you. I have my OUPV as I taught sailing in the NY harbor for several summers, and had to get my TWIC when I first started (because of NYC and homeland security at the time). I’ve kept up the 6-pac, but now just sail for pleasure. During my teaching I got to see (and stay out of the way of) a lot of commercial traffic, and tried to ensure that students were watching all the time. You’ve got a lot of very solid info on this channel and I really appreciate it. I travel a ton for my career and would have certainly considered being a professional mariner in another life. Please keep the videos coming - bravo!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you so much for watching and for the kind words. If you haven't already, please consider subscribing.

[@fprintf]

Did you come here from Reddit/r/sailing? If so, my posting of that video there achieved at least a part of its purpose! TimBatSea deserves far more subs!

[@Jobother]

Hearing you talk about the 2 weeks on/2 weeks off and how it allows you to have more time for your kids really made me think about my parents. They organized their work schedules at their 9-5s and both worked part time so that one of them was always able to pick me and my brother up from school every day until I was 12 and he was 9. Dad was the coach of both of our soccer teams, would bike home with us from school, and was always around in afternoons to show up as a dad. Being a good parent is all about showing up in the ways that works for them.

[@TimBatSea]

So very true Jonah. Thank you again for watching. CUOTO

[@rudolfmaj]

As a regular you tube viewer I find your channel enthralling, thank you for the effort you obviously put into it.

[@TimBatSea]

OMG! Thank you. I needed that! It makes it all worth while. Thank you again..

[@jessebarrios6138]

Thank you so much for your videos. I’m in the transition right now between commercial fishing and trying to get into the tugboat industry. I really appreciate your insight. Your thoughts on parenting are so true. I’ve worked with captains that are gone 10 months a year, and yet have wonderful kids that are successful and productive members of society.

[@TimBatSea]

I came from the commercial fishing industry. You will do fine, but don't get bored. We don't work nearly as hard as fishermen do. Be safe and please consider subscribing if you haven't already.

[@anitasmith4559]

Your presentation was very interesting, insightful and honest. I have always been fascinated and impressed by the videos of tug boat operators in action. It's not unusual to find messages from people who instantly fall in love with what they've seen, on channels such as yours, and want to know how to go about investigating tug boating as a career. My ex (now deceased) was a longshoreman. That part of the shipping industry made me appreciate how crucial tug boats are. Without them, nothing moves.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much for watching Anita. Please consider subscribing if you haven't already. I try post new content every Tuesday. CUOTO

[@JoseRuiz-km6fd]

You are about the only Capt. that takes the time to explain the process in detail. Thank you. La isla mas bella...PR.

[@TimBatSea]

Gracias marinero!

[@jake4514]

Tim, thanks for another great, genuine video. A good friend of our family is going through maritime school right now and I'm so excited for him. He's not sure which direction he's going to go, but I know it's going to be an adventure. I plan on showing this video to my boys to see if maritime is something they'd like.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you again. But just know, I couldn't get my kids to even consider working out here. (Not because it's bad, but because it's beneath them. Lol) Both of them are out of school now and working full-time, and I think the time off portion of this job is starting to have wonder why they didn't listen to Dad

[@aidenvanbremen3123]

Thanks a heap, i find it so hard to find this information on the internet, yet you give it right here with honest opinions and advice.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and please consider subscribing. I try to post new content every Tuesday. The industry has it's ups and downs. Sometime they can't hire enough people, and other times they have to many. It's a long prosses but totally worth it. CUOTO

[@chillinginny4490]

Hi Tim great video. I’m in my 40s and some might say I’m having a mid life crisis but I would say I’m having mid life clarity, I finally have found something that I really want to do so thank you for letting us into the life on a Tug. My business is shut down due to Covid so now is a great time to start the process of a career change. I’ve been a subscriber for a little while and look forward to each vid that you do and have been enjoying your all of your work. And thank you for the information.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and subscribing Steve. Change is difficult but most good things in life don't come easy. The process takes some time even without a pandemic, but stay true to your dream and it will come true. Just remember that many come into this line of work and many leave. I still think it is the best job on earth for me and it may be for you as well. But I try to show the positive side of our industry. At the end of the day, it's still a job. Best of luck to you.

[@jamesbuchanan6256]

I agree with you. I'm kind of in the same position myself with wanting to start a career in this field. Had myself a moment of clarity and decided I'm going to start a career on the water and I feel really great about it, I'm very eager to get started and carve my own path.

[@JimBiddle.]

I'm in the same boat myself (pun intended), these videos have become research rather than just entertainment, and it's a refreshing change to enjoy doing homework. I'm just a bit worried it's too late, I'm 45?

[@1919champ]

Excellent overview of any occupation that requires commitment to skill, competence and time. I am an aviation professional so all of what you say here is familiar. You're doing great with your videos. Your honest down home presentation rings true. Yes, I have subscribed! More NYC harbor tug work would be great. Thanks Tim!

[@TimBatSea]

Wow. That really means alot to me! Thank you so much for the kind words!!!!!

[@robertcoplin2830]

Great video. I have gained considerable insight into your profession and several of my questions are now answered, along with your honest assessments on "life". Yes, your passion for your work is obvious.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much Robert. That means alot to me.

[@pennise]

Tim, great job. We need to get more information like this in front of more young people to build and strengthen our Merchant Marine. Keep up the good work.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you so much. It really means alot to me. Thank you.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I subscribed because 1st, there was no cussing and 2nd, it was GOOD explaining! I liked the engine room tour, diesel running and all. I'm a geezer hillbilly Army vet, having spent a little over 50 years driving trucks and running equipment. I could've stood that life but I like blowing smoke and rolling dirt and bouncing over rocks and trying to dodge folks with a cell phone stuck in their head while grossing 80K in mountain curves. Thanks, Tim! You get a big A-PLUS from me!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and for subscribing!

[@lucaswalters2181]

Awesome video! Definitely answered all of my questions and gave me a lot to think about. Keep up the great work 👍 good stuff

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching!!!!

[@mrwest5552]

Ahh..see ? right there.."the longer you're on the deck the better you'll be in the wheelhouse". Information from this short vid. Thank You Tim. Safe Travels.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and please consider subscribing if you haven't already

[@Tuglife912]

I'm definitely a subscriber! Love this channel! Hope you are doing well Captain Tim! Keep that Elk River running smooth!

[@danmanthe9335]

That's true in many different fields

[@shiva_upasaka]

Just got a job offer from a barge company to become a deckhand. Thank you so much for all the time you've taken making these videos sharing so much knowledge!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Roman and congratulations. Best of luck to you and let us know how you make out. CUOTO

[@edmullins4519]

Fantastic, informative video! Great job explaining the pros and cons of a mariners life. Stay safe!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you so much for watching and please consider subscribing if you haven't already.

[@dukmn2000]

Love your videos. Thank you for doing these.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much Bob! I really appreciate it!! CUOTO

[@rtjautomotive]

My son is coming up thru the hawspipe!You do a super job. He loves it.

[@TimBatSea]

Congratulations and a super thank you for watching and please consider subscribing if you haven't.

[@adamg7801]

I didn't notice the ummmms until you mentioned it. I have subscribed and am working my way through your videos, excellent content!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much Adam.

[@clifffoltz651]

You obviously love what you do and to make a video of how to generally get into the field it show that you love your line of work !Great video Tim !😊

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much for watching and for the kind words Cliff. CUOTO

[@shmac96]

Thanks! Pretty much answers my questions I left on a the last video of yours I saw. Thanks!

[@TimBatSea]

Very good. Thank you for watching. CUOTO

[@geoffreygottlieb1469]

Thank you for this video, it definitely helped my son make up his mind and pursue a career in the tugboat industry.

[@TimBatSea]

That's great Geoffrey. Congratulations. Please consider subscribing if you haven't already. I try to post new content every Tuesday. CUOTO

[@wescook8300]

I enjoy your video's and am glad I found your channel! I hope you have great success with it! Keep up the good work! :)

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@Boeinguy]

Awesome video Cap’... the parenting segment is spot on.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you!

[@Wofski]

Great video, and some solid advice to those that may think of the business. Thanks Captain!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much for watching and please consider Subscribing if you haven't already. I try to post new content every Tuesday.

[@danjames9152]

Cool that you made this video for the young guys! WISH I could go back in time and be one of them! God bless!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Dan.

[@thefreshwater2727]

Hi Capt Tim, Just a quick THANKS for these vids!! I wish I had gone to the Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA when I was young but I didn’t know about it at the time. I really enjoy watching tugs etc, I was a CG radioman for 7 years and enjoyed being offshore. I worked for a yacht dealer in Oakland, CA for several years as the head of their trawler dept in picking up yachts and commissioning them. Really enjoyed the time when they would send me off with a tow boat to pickup 2-3 new trawlers from Taiwan off the ships in the Oakland outer harbor. Once I got to the estuary I’d need to side-tie them with two on one side and one on the other so I could both transit the estuary and fuel them before getting to the dealers docks. This was all single handed and I loved the challenge!! Once, to try and save money they had a salesman pickup one trawler and he burned up the diesel after picking up a piece of plastic on the raw water intake. He just listened to the alarm and did nothing about it. Expensive. I had driven semis for a couple years prior. I then worked in boat yards, lived aboard and owned several boats for 10 years or so and, after being injured in a fall in the boathouse, I went to college to become an RN which I worked at for 20 years. Loved my patients, hated the paperwork and state interference. Now retired at 70 in Eureka, CA I wish I had gotten into tugs. As I watched you in the wheelhouse last night I found my hand over on the arm of my chair on the engine controls...... My wife and I had a good laugh when I realized it! Too funny.... I normally had a single screw but sure enjoyed it when I had the opportunity for twin screws. I used to test big Wellcraft Scarabs to find the right props etc. The 30footers were like a corvette and the 38footers were like an Olds 442..... they just buried their sterns when you pushed the throttles forward and then take off and up on plane. WAY too much fun! Well, take care my friend - yours is a job but one that is not a job much of the time I imagine. Love the challenge both in towing and truck driving. Tim Kerr, Eureka, CA. My hand will probably remain on the controls and rudder. LOL

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and subscribing Tim. Wow! What a life? So Cool. Being a fan of the old TaShing (Spelling??) shipyard in Taiwan, I was wondering if you brought back any Masons or Choylees? Keep your hand on the controls and I'll CUOTO!

[@katherinebabcock55]

Good information and I shared this with my 18 year old granddaughter....do what you love is the best advice. The details and facts are excellent, definitely the advice to go to maritime school if you are young and thinking of this career, priceless. Do what you love and there are many paths. Thanks Tim!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and please consider subscribing. The Maritime field is very receptive to females wanting to enter the trade. The ones that do well get promoted quickly and do very well. Best of luck.

[@katherinebabcock55]

TimBatSea I subscribed after watching the first video of yours that KZbin randomly recommended. Love the content from emergency water pump, solar to travel and maritime. I’m retired so lots of time for KZbin and interesting content is great! Yours is interesting and well done, thank you . My granddaughter is just 18 ( 02/19) finishing up her associates degree and loves the water. I’ve suggested coast guard reserve while she gets a 4 year degree but I keep saying, “ follow your Dream”. Work is work, it isn’t all roses and sunshine, you may miss holidays or anniversaries but have lots of other days and benefits...just do what you love or every day will be a grind. I will share your channel and I hope you keep sharing videos. I was lucky to have a job with 2.5 day shifts every week, with paid vacation and holiday pay. It was usually great, sometimes horrible, paid the bills but I always liked going to work. No idea how to share that with her but you helped. Thanks.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you so much. That makes me so happy.

[@billmoran3812]

Tim, great talk. Back in my day no one in the industry would talk about how to get into the business. When I left the Coast Guard as a Lieutenant, in the early 80’s the tug boats were very much a closed industry. It was all about who you know or were related to. Same for the harbor pilots. You had to be related to get in. I could have gotten a job as a mate on coastal ferries out of New London Ct. or started an the bottom on tankers. I couldn’t see myself making 4 trips a day every day on the same route. So, I ended up taking a shoreside job in engineering. Always wished I had gotten a job at sea. Tugs seemed to be the ideal job. Good hours, good food, good pay, great vacation time. It sounds like it is easier now. If only I were 40 years younger.... thanks for sharing. You remind me of a lot of the tugboat men I knew back in the day. At least my last name got me on a lot of boats back in the day.

[@TimBatSea]

Hahaha. Your last line is priceless!!! Yes. It is much different today. I plan to do a backstory video one day and talk about the strange course life took me on that ended up where I am today. Don't know if anyone wants to hear it, or I might be seen as someone just wanting to talk about themselves. We will see. Best of luck to you and a big thank you for watching and subscribing!

[@sethrowley7011]

I'm headed to a maritime school this fall, hopefully, and I really appreciate your channel. I believe this is a very important discussion that only takes place with the "sea lawyers" at your local pub. I hope to see more discussions like these in the future, maybe with a little less wind.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Seth. Best of luck to you.

[@capt.rossetti1178]

I now captain a casino ship and I myself came up through the hawspipe. I enjoyed climbing the ladder. Like you said, it is getting difficult for those who do that today. I always wanted to run tugs however I never set myself in that direction and I have my regrets lol. Love the video content btw so keep up the great work Capt.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you so much for the kind words and please accept my apologies for the delay in responding. Take care and be safe! Thank you for watching

[@capt.rossetti1178]

@@TimBatSea no worries, thank you again for the videos! I live vicariously through them in a way.

[@waynecompton7612]

Good morning Tim , Thank you for the video and information!! Take care 👍😎🇬🇧.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you Wayne. Love you guys across the pond. Stay safe my brother.

[@Mr.Highway]

Never realized how much tugging and trucking having common.. Thanks for the video it was a good one lots information

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Bob and please consider subscribing.

[@douglasdolan5642]

You are the first KZbinr that I have seen that takes the time to respond to your all of your viewers comments and for that alone I have subscribed to your channel. Keep up the good work

[@TimBatSea]

You may not know just how much that means to me. Thank you very much! We all dream of building an audience, but it takes a lot of time and energy. I hope that as my channel grows, I will be able to continue to respond to the viewers. I didn't realize how much time it takes and how much I enjoyed reading the comments. Thank you again!

[@douglasdolan5642]

TimBatSea your welcome you earned it

[@gregoryconnor9333]

Yes I noticed that, what a great guy and what a great vid hope there is more. I have subscribed so will be waiting. Cheers.

[@PrathmeshTari]

Unarguably one of the best job on the planet . My dad is working as a first mate on a tug boat ,like you he also started from the bottom . I'll be graduating as an engineer this year considering a sea life thanks for the informative video captain .

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and congratulations on your senior year at maritime school. Please consider subscribing as I try to post new content every Tuesday. #CUOTO

[@TreadTalk247]

Great info and thanks for pointing me to this video Capt! I bought a boat 5 years ago and having grown up on the Susquehanna River and now being out on the water every chance I get.....your video and my love of the H2O has my wheels turning! I work in finance now and thinking if I can combine my love of being on the water with a good livelihood then I’ll never work a day in my life!! Got me thinking Capt, got me thinking! Stay safe... Ps. Funny fact too, I heard you say you came up from Baltimore, we are from MD and we own a home on the Elk River.

[@TimBatSea]

It's not for everyone, but it works very well for some of us. Best of luck to you.

[@belfast479]

I'm 70yo and have had enough excitement. I DID just watch the barge Houston being pushed through the Cape Cod Canal by a sea going tug followed by a harbor tug. Thats enough for today.LOL

[@TimBatSea]

Oh yes. Very good. Well I still thank you for watching. And in a few months, the Cape Cod Canal will have much prettier thinks for you to look at the Tugboats and Barges. Cheers!

[@samk.2170]

Just got my TWIC in the mail the other day and I'm still waiting on my physical with all this COIVD-19 stuff going around.. can't wait to start work as a merchant marine! Only one more year of college left. Subscribed and liked, great content, thank you!

[@TimBatSea]

Sam! That is great! You are way ahead of the pack. Looking forward to seeing you on the one (whistle)

[@samk.2170]

@@TimBatSea Thanks much, can't wait! Same to you sir.

[@bills5621]

Tim, I agree with what you say regarding parenting, in fact, couldn’t agree more. Thanks for that. Our line of work is very similar in that I’m an airline captain and I’m usually gone for a week at a time then home for a week.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you Cap! Good parenting is possible but not easy. If it were, we'd have a lot more better parents out there. Lol. Be safe my brother.

[@quinnmorgendorffer531]

this video taught me so much wow! you held my attention the whole time unfortunately i learned that the tugboat life is not for me due to chronic illness, but i can just watch your videos.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching. I'm glad you liked the video. It's ok that you are not going to sea right away. I'll keep you salty on this channel. CUOTO

[@rkaidcordov]

I just asked this question on one of your videos, thank you for the information.

[@TimBatSea]

You found it!

[@Glide1992]

Excellent video. Very informative. Answered all my questions. Too late for me but I love all your videos.

[@TimBatSea]

That makes me feel so happy and proud. Thank you very much.

[@WilliamBurkard]

I rate your profession higher than a pro athlete, growing up in Redhook Brooklyn, I've spent many days down on the piers watching you guys motor by pushing all sorts of product, including the Macys fireworks barges year after year, keep up these awesome videos.

[@TimBatSea]

You are to kind William, but thank you very much for watching. #CUOTO

[@hybredmoon]

Informative and open, thanks tons for the info. Subbed for sure and grateful for the insight into the industry. As for me, I'm single got no kids, no record, I get along with everyone and I'm in fairly decent shape. Used to be a military police officer. Only thing I'm worried about is I'm 36, I think I might be too old to just be getting started.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and Subscribing! 36 is about the average age people start out. I think I was 33 or 34 when I started. You can do it!

[@johnkovacs7273]

Love the content Capt! I am just an Ordinary Seaman with Vinik Marine, Mike Vinik is a family friend of mine and I love working for him. I too am a Hawspiper, I don't go to a maritime school, I actually go to a Senior Military College in Vermont. I work for Vinik over breaks to gain experience to one day commission in the Coast Guard. Keep up the good work, love to see the spread of awareness for the Merchant Mariner industry.

[@TimBatSea]

So many things to unpack here. First, Mike and the entire Vinik family are top shelf, great people. In a harbor filled with egos an false bravdo, you will not hear one person say a bad word about them. You are very lucky to have the in that you do. Second, very cool and good for you. I went to Proctor academy in Andover NH, but I'm sure we were a bunch of wosses compared to you guys. Lol. And third, if you dream of going in the coast guard, or whatever your dream is, stay true to that dream and it most likely will come true. Thank you for watching and please consider subscribing.

[@johnkovacs7273]

@@TimBatSea I subscribed the second I watched the Day In The Life video. I couldn't agree more, Mike is an outstanding guy and I proudly think of him as a mentor. Call us up if you ever find yourself going to the south inside berth of Shell Sea Warren, I almost always work those jobs lol.

[@TimBatSea]

@@johnkovacs7273 i tried calling him this morning, but we both got busy with traffic.

[@davethompson5581]

Great video's. I recently discovered your channel, and think the content is excellent. I started towing logs in Alaska in my youth, and eventually barge work. Nothing more challenging than an empty wood chip barge....lol.

[@TimBatSea]

Outstanding David! Welcome aboard! CUOTO

[@getnautical9579]

Just found your channel and love it. Great content. I always wanted to work on a rug but for one reason or another it never happened. I'm still working as a captain with a 100gt and it's great but to be on a tug still intrigues me

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and welcome to the channel.

[@gregoryconnor9333]

Never notied the ummms, it is a pleasure to listen to you.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much Gregory. You are to kind!

[@MortgageExpert4U]

Thanks for your insights. Great video.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and please consider subscribing.

[@tickedoffsheikh8587]

Aye,Aye Capt. Great advice 👍. You're like the dad many wished they had...

[@TimBatSea]

LOL. Thank you very much. CUOTO

[@jmccracken491]

Capt Sir, thanks for the great videos. If we to be younger in years I would be there.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for Watching and please consider subscribing if you haven't already

[@robsibley885]

just watched this video again. getting excited . hoping to be on a boat about August. cannot wait to start my second career.

[@TimBatSea]

Looking forward to seeing you on the dock Rob. CUOTO

[@Coonass]

3rd night here. Gettin caught up quick. Things are a lil different down here In SW Louisiana...but, same principle. ✌🏼 keep the vids comin.

[@TimBatSea]

Be safe my brother! Thank you for watching!

[@illinoisoilman2784]

Interesting video! A lot of similarities in my job as a oil refinery operator. Hard to get your foot in the door, but now days you need some sort of education....the old days it was all grandfather/son/grandsons. You work rotating shift work... Weekends, holidays, birthdays, whatever. And rotating 12 hour shifts so you become tight with your fellow crewmates. All sorts of personalities, but you know they got your back. And seniority is everything. Those 20 year operators know where that one value is, 30 feet up in the rack hidden behind a platform that is impossible to open for the first 3 turns but then gets easier. One of the best compliments we can recieve is to be called a good operator by one of the old timers. Enjoyed this video..... Had no idea what was all involved in working on the boats.

[@TimBatSea]

Very Cool! Thank you for sharing! Yup, we all are brothers. The "Petroleum Conveyor" must keep rolling from rig, to refinery to trucks trains or tugs, the product continues on to the end customer. Be safe my brother, and please consider subscribing if you haven't yet.

[@illinoisoilman2784]

@@TimBatSea OH I have. Good luck with the channel. 😊

[@jamesbuchanan6256]

I love your videos. Aspiring mariner here, thanks for the info

[@TimBatSea]

Oh shit! You found it! Cool. My Engineer started on deck and worked his way up and he is a fantastic Engineer. You can do it too.

[@jamesbuchanan6256]

@@TimBatSea Yes sir I did. Being shacked up at the house has led me to watching a few of your videos, and others tugboat and cargo ship videos. I enjoy watching, thanks for the info.

[@colinmiller6855]

20 years old, currently in maritime school, got 63 days of Cadet time under my belt, excited for the upcoming life at sea!

[@TimBatSea]

Congratulations and thank you for watching. Please consider subscribing.

[@wescook8300]

Good luck young man! Sounds like a great career!

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

Good choice. I regret going to a fancy college. Dislike being a suit and tie. A lotta people have no soul here in the corporate world! I long for some camaraderie, some real human interaction ya know? Something about a group of guys watching out for each other, not having the worry of HR constantly looking over your shoulder, I think it's a good way to serve society and stay sane. Keep with it. Youll have a good life.

[@Nick-ss5lb]

update?

[@pjneslo8979]

Tim you’re a good guy, the information you provide is awesome. Rarely do you find a channel, be it on this or any other platform, that a creator provides information in detail that you do for free .. i almost felt guilty absorbing it, 3 bucks a month is worth every penny. Thanks

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very very much PJ! You patrons make it all possible for everyone else! Thank you! CUOTO

[@TheCLPVideos]

Watching these videos you realize Tim is a very sharp guy. He has a great voice, and could have made a good living on the air in radio.

[@TimBatSea]

You are killing me. I am more accustom getting beaten up on here than getting compliments. Thank you very much for the kind words.

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

Interesting topic. Thanks for sharing your experience. From Los Angeles California USA 🇺🇸

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you Mr Hahn. Please consider subscribing.

[@Crazyreseller]

Thank you for doing this video.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching this video and please consider subscribing.

[@imup9otmyname505]

very informative Thank u, plz make more detailed videos like this. Just got a job as a fisheries liaison officer on a crew boat.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching. CUOTO

[@chanhdo3929]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts of parenting as a sailor.thank you so much!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching. If you are new the chanel, welcome. Please consider subscribing. I try to post new content every Tuesday. COUTO

[@paulsanfod6002]

Tim, Just happened to come across you “channel” very interesting, keep it up Thanks

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Paul. Please consider subscribing if you haven't already. Welcome aboard. I try to post new content every Tuesday.

[@sol3cito33]

Well said, captain! Knowledge is gained through experience.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much for watching. CUOTO

[@mellissadalby1402]

Hi Captain Tim, Wow, 6 months off? I've been working as an Electronic Engineer for 40 years and I've finally worked up to 4 weeks off. I love Tugboats and I appreciate the videos that you post because I'm definitely too old to work on a Tugboat now so watching your channel is as close as I get. Wow an OS starts at more than twice what I started at in 1982 (of course money value has changed a bit since then).

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Melissa. We are indeed very fortunate to work on tugs. I am that you are such a dedicated viewer. CUOTO

[@Jobother]

I could listen to this dude so asmr. Such a soothing voice.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for that Jonah. I appreciate that. CUOTO

[@tonywitherspoon6844]

I wished I had known that 30 years ago I got out of high school try for 5 years calling tow companys and could not get a brake so I went in to Truck Driving it was good till last year but had a stroke now on the sidelines I In Joy your Chanel so much it drives my wife Crazy I grow up on Boats in the Gulf Of Mexico .

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Tony. #CUOTO

[@danielmurray6458]

Thanks that was really insightful and interesting.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Daniel. CUOTO

[@frfrpr]

Awesome and informative. Geez, you don't have any trouble being honest. Thanks

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you........ I think......lol.

[@deividrivera9537]

Thank you captain. Very important info

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Deivid.

[@k4sbb829]

Great video Capt.I am a river rat no longer work on a towboat I load grain barges on the mighty lower Ohio river I absolutely love it

[@TimBatSea]

Very cool! Thank you for watching and please consider subscribing.

[@DavidHaile_profile]

I love the detail!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching David. CUOTO

[@spacecowboy4804]

Wise words. I had a captain that was insanely abrasive and no matter what, it was everyone else's fault. All of what you say is great.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you very much. I like to think there are less of those guys around these days, but I could be wrong. CUOTO

[@gigioecu]

Subscribed. Thank you for sharing. I’m a bit of an enigma. I love being on the water, wanted to but never thought it through as a career. My corporate oil and gas career came to an end in 2023. I’m succeeding in this new corporate telecom venture, but I’m set to start my adventure as an SIU apprentice in July. My grandfather was a merchant marine and so have many other members of my family. Now, it’s my turn. By the way I’m going in my 50’s, now that I’ve decided to end my working days on my terms, instead of the corporate goals set by the companies I worked for.

[@TimBatSea]

Welcome aboard! Thank you very much for watching. CUOTO

[@jermeywashington1059]

Thank you You kept it real

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and please consider subscribing.

[@howechilds5060]

Capt. Tim.... I stumbled upon your channel.... love the videos! I love the ocean and I know I missed my calling in life. Right now I own a business... work a desk job. I really am not happy but heck.. it's what I do and I think it's too late in my life to switch careers. I know I am more happy and feel fulfilled when I am outside doing that different job. For example, in 2005 we needed more $ so I took a part time job working the ramp at Logan Airport (below the wing for a major legacy airline). Loved it! Miss it! Miss the guys. But I retired from that job with lifetime flight benefits when I turned 52 so all good. Right now I am looking to the future for my son who will be 27 in July. I am pushing him to put serious thought into a career ... anywhere. Knowing him he is like me and I think he would do well possibly pursuing what you have done... being a merchant marine. What are your thoughts? sound like a good candidate? Keep up the videos!

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Howe. It is not for everyone, but it's the best job I've ever had and love every day out here. If he is serious, follow the links in the video to get his credentials and make sure he can pass a drug test. Mass' new recreational laws do not apply to us because we are federally regulated.

[@TimBatSea]

I tried to get both of my kids to at least try it out here, but neither wanted to sighting that they didn't want to work as hard as dad does. (I have never been so proud.... Not of them.... But that I did such a good job pretending I actually do anything productive) lol

[@joed2039]

Good Info. I had thoughts of working on a tugboat in New York Harbor when I was in my twenties but I think you had to know someone back then.

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Joe, and please consider subscribing. Yes, most likely you are right.

[@joed2039]

TimBatSea Already subbed

[@hudsonhawk0016]

I just renewed the lowly 100 ton inland MMC in December. I went to seaschool to get my license. If you want to get a MMC , I would strongly suggest getting a copy of the navigation rules handbook and study, study, study. Rules of the road is the most often failed portion of the test. The Coast Guard will word questions in the test not to trip you up, but to make sure you know the answer to the question. You shall, is a common phrase that you will see often. You shall means you will. They will also ask the same question twice but word it differently so watch out for that. I got my license relatively late in life and regret not getting it sooner. When I got my license in the mail, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. 👍

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and congratulations on getting your license. I think that those interested in working on a Tugboat (purpose of this video) shouldn't worry about getting a license but rather on getting their TWIC and MMD. Then once they are working, they can pursue and A/B. By the time they have the sea time for their A/B, they should have practical experience that makes rules of the road much easier to understand and predict. Then when they want to sit for a license, the rules of the road and deck general have already been done. The way you did it, and for the reasons why (not going to work on a Tugboat) makes the best sense for you. But I think if you were looking to get hired and trained in this line of work, your license won't help you get a job, but STCW would. Thank you again for watching and participating in the discussion.

[@hudsonhawk0016]

@@TimBatSea I ran one of those 25 ft "tin can" boats when I got the job at the TZ. Boat captain is one of the categories in our contract with the Operating Engineer's so I got the 100 ton inland a few months into the job to move up to the larger crew boats that required a 50 ton minimum as per TZC. I had previous sea time on a friends boat to get the 100 ton MMC. as you said, it doesn't have to be done the way I did it. I was just giving an example of what to expect when applying for a Master's MMC.

[@dieselduane708]

Great video my kids are grown and I’m looking for a career change this sounds exciting

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching. Please consider subscribing. I try to post new content every Tuesday. CUOTO

[@DB-thats-me]

Looking forward to doing the work. 👍

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching. CUOTO

[@jackhannaway6432]

I love your videos. On the Liverpool tugs we work 1 week 1 week off. We’re not captive and majority of us live 10 mins from the port

[@TimBatSea]

Nice! Sounds like a great job. Thank you for watching Jack. Be safe. CUOTO

[@skyking6989]

Im an electrical engineer by trade but have always had a soft spot for tug boats. No desire to work on a tugboat but love watching them

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching. You may be interested to know that boats are wired differently than on land. Something to do with a floating ground. CUOTO

[@skyking6989]

@@TimBatSea I'll have to check that out

[@bigfatfish4148]

Thanks for clearing up some questions I had

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching and please consider subscribing.

[@bigfatfish4148]

TimBatSea already did

[@actemple3282]

thanks for sharing ..really cool video...I love the water

[@TimBatSea]

That you Adam. Stay safe and healthy.

[@jessebolton3423]

When I used to work on the tugboats the main thing I love about it was the adventure and the people that you meet the places that you go being on the high seas during bad weather good whether it's the adventure the adrenaline rush

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Jesse. CUOTO

[@brentloftis3746]

Great information and very interesting. Thanks

[@TimBatSea]

Thank you for watching Brent.