What Life Is Like Working On A Towboat | Towboating Funds Our Travels

Cody explains his job on a towboat, and shows what life on the boat is like. He does his best Morgan Feeman voice to explain at the end why it is worth it to make the sacrifices. Hope everyone enjoys a look inside his job!
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Welcome to Hitch to Hitch! We are a family of 4 from the MS Gulf Coast living fulltime in our fifth wheel. We ❤️ roadschooling, adventures, hiking, camping, family time, waterfalls, and ice cream!!
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[@user-li8kg4ym2k]

I love watching these videos. Because i worked on towboats for 35 years. And can relate to everything they do. Decking, engine room and pilot house. I've done it all and miss it.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Glad you enjoyed! My brother has a channel as well with a lot ov videos it's @Mississippi River I believe

[@dylanthemman]

Your both losers you made pennies compared to the trillions these companies made from your hard work what a waste of life

[@johnathantullos1011]

It's a life that many can handle, but we do it for our family. I've only been out here 3 years but I but I wouldn't have it no other way. My wife don't have to worry. My kids don't have to worry though.It's hard at times We just keep on pushing

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Got that right!

[@shanechostetler9997]

Great sense of humor😂

[@garyvigorito3289]

Great video and nice to listen to someone like You that knows the real meaning of life!

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Thank you! Thanks for watching 👀

[@DreamingOutloudRVing]

Fascinating career you have. Good to hear how you love family. Society dictates how we should be living which we do not agree with. Family time is more important, especially when raising kids. Great video and keep on this road!! Safe travels.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Thank you. We do not agree with what society says you should do as well. It's not about family anymore it seems to be more about what other people can get out of you, mainly government. We decided to put it all aside and ride the fun train lol

[@shiva_upasaka]

Towboat deckhand here. Fun video!!!

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Appreciate it thanks for watching

[@bobbymccord3014]

Lol love it, like that manly man!!!

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Hes a sexy beast lol

[@lookingbehind6335]

Your video brings back lots of memories for me. I started with B&H Towing back in the early 90’s. After they went under, I hopped over to WKN. I was lucky in a way….I was assigned to the Elizabeth Dewy and never rode another boat. Actually I never got off the Mississippi. It was a fun 8 years until an automobile accident. Had a cervical fusion and that was it. Couldn’t pass the spine and neck X-ray’s. Back then we made 150 dollars per day as a deckhand. Come two weeks off, I was living large.😂

[@Hallstop_hangout]

That's a shame it ended your career, sorry to hear that. It pays good but lots of added BS these days.

[@lookingbehind6335]

@@Hallstop_hangout Goes to figure….different breed of people nowadays.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

@@lookingbehind6335 very different

[@NewVisionLCS]

Excellent video! I thought keeping our boat on the fishing spot was tough!

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Thank you

[@cameronrivas6222]

I work for Hines Furlong and love what I do.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

It's a great career to have!

[@cornell833]

Amazing content brother 💪

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Thank you 🙌

[@kingtut8381]

GREAT TUTORIAL. THANX. I THOUGHT MOST COMPANIES WERE ON THE 6 HR SCHEDULE, NEVER HEARD OF 04:30

[@Hallstop_hangout]

We are on the 6 hour schedule as well but we just do ours at 0430 .. thanks for watching

[@Mactheriverrat1]

Retired after 32 years on the river. Yes you have to be away from home but it gave me a great retirement.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

That's awesome congrats on your retirement

[@dixieboy5689]

I dont have any family and dont care about holidays. This sounds perfect for me.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

They are extremely well made and perfect for that situation.

[@tinkwilkinson9446]

Love to hear how you got to be captain. Training, license etc . Call Mike Rowe.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

It would make for a great story for him! Thanks for watching

[@angelaharebottle2607]

My kids would like to know what your position is? Thank you for this video. It is super informative and my kids ate it up!

[@Hallstop_hangout]

My husband is a Towboat Captain . Thanks and so glad to hear they enjoyed it!

[@caseyjones287]

Do y'all need a deckhand? We also travel in our RV and that would be great!

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Actually yes, badly. Pretty much every company out here needs deckhands right now. If you choose to apply go to Canal Barge.com

[@k4sbb829]

I’m a fleet deckhand every thing in this video is so true it’s hard work and dangerous work I’ve been off the river for ten years and now I’m back working at a fleet handling coal and grain barges my company is artco the fleet is above jt meyers locks and dam don’t ask for the keys for the locks because I still haven’t found them yet lol stay safe out there

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Lol I hear ya .. We deal with Artco in Cairo all the time.

[@lookingbehind6335]

What is a deckhand paid nowadays? In the early 90’s we made 150 bucks per day. I haven’t kept up with it in years now.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

It still Varies from company to company but I think starting pay is still around 200 and then you can get a couple of raises the first year if you are a good worker.

[@lookingbehind6335]

@@Hallstop_hangout Not too bad unless the company is headquartered out of Illinois. They get absolutely bent over with their taxes.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

@@lookingbehind6335 isn't that the truth.. really we all get bent over by taxes

[@lucas-ct5uy]

Is it better to try get on with a tanker company instead of a grain hauler since the tow’s seem to be shorter? Also is the engineer route a faster way than becoming a pilot to move up from deckhand? (I’d probably enjoy it more too) I was looking at Ingram or Kirby.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

It all really depends on work ethic honestly. If you have a good work ethic you will excel to any position you want. As far as grain companies are bigger and it could be a lot harder to move up the food chain with so many people. Most companies it's either engine room or wheelhouse. If you decide to go to the engine room then that's where you will be long term

[@lookingbehind6335]

Go to a good marine training school. It’s well worth time and money. If you pay for it at all. Some companies will pay the cost, but you have to contract with them for a year or two. You can graduate and get put straight into the engine room. The hardest part about moving up is the people looking down on you. There’s a lot of jealousy on line boats. A lot of people think you should hump for 5-10 years. You know to “pay your dues”.

[@grahamwalker2740]

What kind of horsepower you working with? I’m always amazed with how much y’all push. Over here on the east coast we push max of two standard barges but only one super jumbo or a new class of barge a big hopper.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Sorry it has taken so long to reply I never got the notice for a comment. The boat in the picture is a 4,200 but I currently work on a 6,000 we push up to about 30 regs and sometimes mix in some of the jumbo barges.

[@grahamwalker2740]

@@Hallstop_hangout the company I work with I think our biggest inland tug is like 1200 hp our icw isn’t well maintained so sometimes even a 9ft draft can be pushing it. As a deckhand I have a lot of respect for the guys that work on the line haul and fleet boats out west building those big tows

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Thank ya .. we work hard on them for sure.

[@lookingbehind6335]

The Elizabeth Dewy is capable of 7,500 hp. Usually kept turned down around 6,200. Depending on conditions, weight and direction. We have pushed 40 and carried one on the “hip”. That’s the largest I’ve ever handled.

[@almirria6753]

The big rigs of the river system/s

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Yes they are !

[@terryken12]

How is the sewage disposed of as I don't see the water supply boat pumping it off ?

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Great question, we have an on board treatment system so when the water goes Overboard it's clean.. supposed to be drinkable but I wouldn't recommend it lol

[@cristiansaifdistor9019]

do you have openings for a deckhand position? I am looking for a company at this time.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Yup they are always hiring.. go to the website and click on careers and the Job board , canalbarge.com, Ingram and other companies are also hiring right now

[@nicklucero24]

What boat are you on skipper?? As a full-time trip pilot myself I run both ICW and LMR, Arkansas River, Ohio, the loop. Ect.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

I'm on the Joseph Merrick Jones .. who do you normally trip for

[@nicklucero24]

@@Hallstop_hangout yall must be in Memphis or ST.PAUL huh?? I mostly a full-time trip for Excell Marine (canal division) running from weeks island salt mine/morton salt to Tiger flt baton rouge an sometimes to Houston.. im currently in the Navigator at the moment for excell marine.

[@nicklucero24]

@@Hallstop_hangout I've tripped for SCF, blessy, Kirby, Genesis, Parker, Marquette, ACBL and a handful of small mom and pop companies when needed.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Got ya .. we normally run from Baton Rouge to St Louis it's a 6000hp

[@jj4577..]

Can I work out there even though I’ve had neck surgery? I’m only 30 years old

[@Hallstop_hangout]

I don't think that would hold you up as long as you can pass the physical and are fit to do hard labor. I know Canal Barge Co. And Ingram barge Co. Are both hiring right now. But pretty much any company is right now.

[@Buccsailor]

I currently hold a 500ton masters and looking to dip into the commercial industry from military. What license do you hold and what is the minimum to be a captain?

[@Hallstop_hangout]

We use a Master of towing on the Inland River license typically. The upgrade from that would be a 1,600 Ton. If I'm not mistaken you would have to upgrade unless you work for a fleet. I'm not sure if anyone would hire you directly in as a Wheelman without any decking experience but it's possible. I would suggest start with a fleeting company close to where you live if you live close to a river and go from there.

[@Buccsailor]

@@Hallstop_hangout I appreciate the reply, I am planning on working on deck for awhile then up to the bridge. The time off on tow boats and commercial industry looks amazing. Looks like a fun challenge driving in the narrow rivers as well.

[@Hallstop_hangout]

It's definitely a challenge and navigation of the river with the up and down of the water levels makes it a difference experience from trip to trip. Their are may companies hiring right now including mine. Good luck on your endeavors.

[@kingtut8381]

ANY TOWBOAT COMPANIES STILL EMPLOY COOKS ?

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Our company still does and I know a few others do, but it's only on the bigger boats

[@kingtut8381]

@@Hallstop_hangout THANX 4 THE REPLY. ENJOY THAT PERKWHILE AVAILABLE

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Will do!

[@matnasiruddin-lp1qj]

how to apply to your vasell

[@Hallstop_hangout]

Look for any company on the river they are all hiring right now.

[@matnasiruddin-lp1qj]

@@Hallstop_hangout Can Indonesians join the ship?

[@Hallstop_hangout]

@@matnasiruddin-lp1qj You can get on ships but not American flagged vessels unless uiur an American citizen is my understanding. You definitely have to be a citizen to work on towboats.

[@matnasiruddin-lp1qj]

@@Hallstop_hangout so you can't join the American ship. There are others who can join there, I have a takbout experience

[@Hallstop_hangout]

@@matnasiruddin-lp1qj as far as I know

[@jamesgradys3885]

Is it still a good business to get what is tbe cost of a average barge

[@Hallstop_hangout]

All depends on the type of barge and cost of steel as far as barge cost and then if you mean what we carry that varies by what's in it .. could be anywhere from hundreds of thousands to multiple millions. It's really a hard question to answer sorry

[@jamesgradys3885]

@HitchtoHitch okay, and how much can u make running barges?

[@Hallstop_hangout]

@jamesgradys3885 anywhere from 30k to 200k depending on what boat your on and how much extra you ride

[@jamesgradys3885]

@HitchtoHitch is this a still profitable ?

[@Hallstop_hangout]

@jamesgradys3885 I'm sure it's tough on the companies with the water so low but I. 100% sure they are still turning a profit.. If this industry goes under you will see the country going under.. we move a lot of things that keep the country moving.

[@jamesgradys3885]

And are u a captian ?

[@Hallstop_hangout]

I am currently working as a captain

[@robertgrant957]

Why do you call them tow boats and not push boats

[@Hallstop_hangout]

It is because we are pushing a tow, which is what you call all of the barges together. So they call it a tow boat even though we push.

[@nathanbasel207]

Why is he reading off a script???

[@Hallstop_hangout]

No script just making it up as I was riding up the river

[@johnbaker3817]

I am 57 years old I have always wanted to work on a barge what is it 27 days on 27 days off or whatever but I keep being told I have to have a driver's license I haven't drove anything since 1998 I'm willing to work but I don't understand the driver's license thing can someone tell me about that because I don't think I'm ever going to get them but I do want to work on a barge that's the only thing holding me back that I know my felony record has been a long time ago I'm too old for that nonsense anymore I just want to work on a tow boat please respond thank you

[@Hallstop_hangout]

The company I work for we do 28/28 some do 28/14 or 14/14. The driver's license is because you have to drive to and from the boat for crew changes. There are a few fleets that may hire without but most don't. Deckhand work is hard on the body and the older you get the harder it is. They usually don't hire anyone over 40 to work on deck.

[@johnbaker3817]

@@Hallstop_hangout thanks for replying and letting me know I did not know and no one would tell me but like I said thank you very much for the information now I can stop trying to apply have a good day

[@Hallstop_hangout]

@@johnbaker3817 not a problem sorry I couldn't help more.

[@lookingbehind6335]

Almost impossible without a driver license. You might find a mom and pop harbor boat somewhere. You need a TWIC card also, pretty sure you have to have a license for it. Unfortunately 99.99% of companies will not hire felons. You never know now with all the virus scare. Something might have changed IDK. Good luck if you try.