As a former active duty USN sailor on a combat ship. I never looked down on any of the USNS ships that we UNREPPED from, they were haze gray and underway just like we were, and they weren't sitting in port in Tahiti waiting to run out and give us some gas or food or ammunition and then go back to a life of luxury. These ships were always off the beaten track in the middle of nowhere and working unescorted which in my mind is a very ballsy thing to have to do with such a high valued ship and we could have never been able to do what we did without them. And from a food perspective, we were always happy to do anything other than just taking on fuel or ammo because it meant that we would be getting some fresh fruits and vegetables and milk and eggs as well as ice cream, so everyone worked harder pulling on those ropes and hustled a little bit extra because we always knew it was going to pay off for us in the galley and future meals for the crew. And speaking about a shortage of Filipino Mariners in the industry right now and the levels of danger they face both globally and in their own home waters, I would like to shout out to all the Filipino's serving in the USN now and in prior service and for guys I served with, we had a bunch of great MS rates that made some of the best damn food I ever ate onboard my ship and the Filipino themed meals were always not just some of the best, but something the entire crew looked forward too. So, Cheer's to Lumpia & Adobo 💯
@@chuckboyle8456 We never got to eat chicken feet oh my ship, if we did have any onboard, those would have been horded, it would have never been discussed as the same if we had nuclear weapons onboard. 😜
Yup, these guys should all be in the Navy Reserve and the ships should have 50 cal M@HB at the least and perhaps a CIWS on the bow as well. Legally these ships could be part of the fleet and the crews would be naval reserves on active duty while at sea.
Wait you're telling me that people don't want to go work a ship for 8 months to a year at a time, make less money than private companies, and be expected to return a month later for another year of sailing? No way. I can't believe it. Sailed MSC during covid. They didn't care about their sailors. When you sail for 12 months straight and don't even make 6 figures and they call 3 weeks into being home asking of you're ready to come back you know there's a huge disconnect.
And this is maybe? "why" I can not stand long shoremen and their In grateful gang? always schlepping the cream, skimming the butter, and milk, saying they need more, we are hungary.
You nailed it brother! I am a covid refugee myself. There is a special pay rate for being restricted to the ship (gangway up) as written in the CMPI. I logged every single hour I was restricted to the ship in accordance to the CMPI agreement. Then all the sudden they say this is an "exception", throw the CMPI out the window, and pay much less than agreed. If they can just make up rules as they go, what's to stop us to make an exception to their exception ad infinitum?
100% Correct, Sal. My son just graduated USMMA last month and refused to even consider going to work for MSC. Mainly because he did his sea year on two MSC ships and heard horror stories about lack of leave and he saw firsthand how long overdue the other engineers were for their relief.
1988? My Father passed in 1993 and is buried in VA cemetery. He was happy to finally be recognized. He sailed WW2 T-2 tankers, torpedoed and sunk twice. Truly the greatest generation.
A similar thing happened with miners in Australia. The mining companies threw cash at the problem but it couldn't make up for the bad living conditions anymore, so they started replacing the accommodation tents with solid truck mobile houses with air conditioning and dining facilities with professional chefs to make breakfast and dinner and also gave packed lunches then they started giving good leave too with 1:1 ratios 1 week on 1 week off fully paid.
Then they replaced all the drivers with self drive trucks controlled from hundreds of km away got rid of every one the could , less cooks ,cleaners , much less people gutted it for workers . Companies win
I recently quit MSC after sailing for 11 years as an Able Seaman on the west coast. For me the gangway up that Sal mentioned was the last draw. It drove me out.
@@stephe77 I feel like there would be grounds for false imprisonment law suit. If contractors and mental personnel are moving back and forth you can't reasonably force civmars to stay. I'm sorry you all had to go through that. I would loose my S too.
@@curtisroberts9137Right? You can't just press gang people into service on your ship anymore. They'll just say screw it and leave at the next port then go work somewhere else
One of my favorite (British) naval authors, Douglas Reeman, said in his many books, in peacetime nobody cares. In war they expect bloody miracles. He served on motor torpedo boats in World War II in the Royal Navy. It's clear in his writings he was very much affected by the terrible state of affairs facing the Royal Navy at the beginning of World War II. Never enough escorts, convoys decimated by German U-boat attacks, air attacks and surface ships, And now they only have enough crews for 10 frigates? With all that's going on in the world, the UK government better wake up-and fast. Here in the U.S. we're not in much better shape. This year we've taken more ships out of service than we built. You can't win with numbers like that. Thanks Sal for another timely video.
Don't worry, Labour will make things much worse. Expect one carrier at least to be sold to maybe India and the other to have reduced steaming days, along with the rest of the Navy. They might even lay up some frigates in reserve, do to lack of crews.
I worked for MSC for maybe two months right after the first Gulf War after working commercial vessels and making four voyages to Saudi Arabia during that conflict. To me MSC was simply totally out of touch with the mentality of the typical merchant seaman who expects first, his own cabin, and then second, prompt relief after working no more than six months afloat. That they expected everyone to live in open bay berthing, spend an entire year afloat, and then settle for just one month of vacation was simply asinine and not worth bothering with so I quit and went back to commercial shipping which in and of itself is bad enough if you stop to really think about it. Finally just went to barber college and cut hair for 20 years. Submarines are equally ridiculous for regular navy people. Once you’re qualified submarines they won’t even consider transferring you to surface craft.
Quit MSC 2 weeks ago after a 6 year career with them including a Cadet internship. Sailed 3M up to 2M Cargo Officer. COVID, Admirals trying to make it the Navy, the disconnect between N1 (CIVMAR Manning) and the ships, no respect from detailers, having to fight for time off AND additional training classes, Captains and Chief Engineers not allowing to retain personnel for yard periods or get their personnel back at the of yards, wages that are non-competitive compared to commercial companies, lack of manning that causes 8 month voyages that also has the effect of additional burden on the crews to carry the weight of a vacant billet. Third Mates are now going 6-8 months without relief, Second and Chief Mayes are being passed around ships to get them underway out of a yard or for a SMART inspection then being passed to the next. It’s getting worse and the “office” doesn’t care.
MSC doesn't care about it's people! The pay is ok ( when you get paid correctly) the leave policy sucks, the office (medical,detailers) work against you,not for you. People are fed up, and they are walking.
Back in 1989 then Admiral told us they were going to change the shipping policy. The people in the office said the admiral doesn’t run MSC we do. And we got offered unlicensed jobs and told 9 to 10 months deployments were standard. People were telling us they would be called back after one month and if they didn’t go back, they would be fired. Nothing has changed. MSE personnel policy sucks. I got off at a $36,000 bonus a few years ago I went out on, two tours. I asked them how long they said four months I said bullshit more like 9 to 10 months and they said yes. With a month off in between I said no thanks. If I was starting over, I go to work for a company like Royal Caribbean. We are treated well. The initial pay is not high like European or US wages but when you moved into the senior ranks, yes. Plus the style of living you get is very high.
Very true. Anyone who works at the MSC office should have to go to sea for a few years first. This should be mandatory because it would solve the problem of the office workers not caring & not having any understanding of what merchant seamen do for a living.
Hi Sal, I’m not sure if you are aware of this, but anyone who has a US military veteran status can now patronize the Exchange and Commissary at US military posts and bases. It means going through the gyration of getting a VA identification card and then getting it approved to enter the military installation. There is no cost associated other than your time and your favorable DD214. Once approved, it should be valid at any post/base. Now, there are some additional restrictions that come into play. You need to be active duty military or fully retired from the military (20+ years) to be able to purchase cigarettes or alcohol. There are also some surcharges involved with some products (like food at the Commissary). So this can allow at least some of MSC people to use these facilities. Maybe if this gets popular, Congress might actually expand this to all of MSC. That is, if they are not too busy legislating refrigerators and dishwashers.
The Air Force's former Military Airlift Command, now Air Mobility Command, has always been an integral part of the Air Force. Perhaps the Navy should follow the Air Force.
There was talk of this, as China's navy grows and ours shrinks, these ships may need to be armed. Originally these roles were filled by full commissioned ships, the navy decided this was more cost effective way of doing things. Now it would mean the loss of Union Jobs and the money they funnel through their PACs.
We also need to have a Navy version of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, which will require US Flagged commercial ships returning to the high seas. We can do this, it just takes time and money.
@@usn1861 "Originally these roles were filled by full commissioned ships..." Been there, done that, USS Suribachi AE21 1984-1988. Med/IO became Shellback. Into the yards. GITMO in sunny Cuba. Med cruise. North Atlantic, became Bluenose.
My late brother sailed for MSC in the late 70s and early 80s after graduating from the Harry Lundberg school of seamanship with high honors. One of the ships I remember he served on was the Neosho. He ran one of the unrep rigs for the fuel transfers. Made pretty good money. The last straw for him was when they were reactivating ships from the ready reserve fleet and he was placed on one and the ship was in such poor shape and broke down twice, trying to cross the Atlantic, when it came back to port, he jump ship. He said it wasn’t worth it to serve on derelict vessels not fit for sea duty.
A big problem to me seems to be that most people don't know about jobs on the water. I grew up in Michigan, surrounded by the great lakes. I went to a vocational technology school for 1/2 day my junior and senior years. It was great, my instructor had colleges, tech schools, business and all branches of the military come in and talk to us about how what we were learning now could be applied and built upon to form a very rewarding career with them. No representation from the merchant marine at all, we are only 60 miles south of the school in Traverse City! And here I am 21 years later looking to get in the industry and finding out its not easy to get into, of course you can't find people! There is no recruiting and even for people looking to get into it it is difficult to say the least
You're the man, Sal. Maybe you can do a video now and then highlighting people doing the various jobs that, as you mentioned, seafaring organizations should be putting on TikTok and youtube. Perhaps one of my sons would become interested
I never really knew about MSC until your channel and more recently The Wandering Mariner's channel. I wonder why they dont some advertising like the military does. I've thought about doing something like this for years but it's very difficult to figure out how to get into the industry without help. Finally my kids are grown and I sat down and researched it. If the MSC did some adds maybe they could do a better job of recruiting new blood.
Served on a split crew ship in the navy where half the crew was MSC (cooks, engineers, supply ect) and the other half Navy. It was interesting. I loved the MSC crew they were a funny bunch of some of the hardest working guys I have ever worked with. I had planned on trying to get into MSC after the navy because the pay was so much better. But they warned me to look at it deeper than the paycheck. I still am tempted to apply some days but other days, I'm glad I'm out of the sailor life.
Dearest Captain... Sir...life is about to change in ways you can't possibly fathom at this point. Good for you. Stay safe ..in a few months you'll understand why UAM stating this as... ALL G7 Countries and Governments are being Blackballed by the same Countries and Governments they SANCTIONED...thus BRICS is going to change the way money flows in this World...we are in a transitional phase if Many, Many ... HUGE changes ahead...Ei! Ei! Captain! ( Salute) ...please be easy in YOURSELF and take your much needed rest...the things I could tell you... ANYHOW...heads up! Thanks for your many years of Service..if people knew how hard y'all work! Much Love and Light, Peace and Unity
I learned WHILE MECHANIC ING ON BICYCLES AMD MOTORCYCLES "......IF IT WORKS ON THE STAND, IT MIGHT NOT WORK ON LAND......" SAL JUST SAID THIS A DIFFERENT WAY! IT PROVES ITSELF OUT ALL OVER AND IN ALL THINGS!!!!
Sal I really wish you'd put out a video of the process the average person has to take in order to become a MSC employee. It sounds like you have to have a 4 year degree? Or can you get training like the navy provides for non-officer roles and start working after 6 months of shore training then get OJT to learn the rest? Very interesting video and agree there is a need for an educational program so young people know what is available. However, the deployment issues will need to be addressed or no one will want to do the job.
There really is only one requirement. Can you get a clearance? With the school to prison pipeline feeding the prison-industrial complex these days it’s getting harder and harder.
"Non Licensed" you do not need college .. Google MSC Website .. You need to get credentialed thru the Coast Guard .. There's a ton of courses and A Lot of Hoops ..
Just got off my first deployment with MSC out of the Red sea since January. Hell of a first gig, all of us third mates were brand new on our first ship. After 8 months onboard and being discharged stateside in NJ, I can't help but to say I might not be ready for another 108 day lockdown in Jeddah, KSA. Counting the days on my contract with MSC in its' current state, I (thought) I knew what I was getting into but wow...
Sal is an entertaining problem solver that has a deep understanding of his subject matter. Where are the smart problem solvers that will be given opportunities early on in their career. They do a bad job and is this the upper echelon of military and too many of them that don’t want to solve problems?
I didn't realise how bad conditions have become. It is a long time since my seagoing days, but although there were some occasions when things were rough, I think my shipping company was very good. Paid leave was earned at 1 day off for 2 days worked (long days admittedly) and my longest tour was 6 months with most being around 5 months. They even arranged for me to fly to New Zealand for part of my leave instead of flying direct home from Japan. There was a good relationship with the headquarters staff, some of whom had previously been seagoing colleagues of mine, but even the ones that I didn't know personally were good. I received paid leave to attend Marine College (in Cardiff, Wales) and to sit the DoT exams. What I have just heard in this video about conditions in the RFA and MSC is quite horrifying and it needs sorting very quickly.
Just appreciating the effort in Sal's background, compared to someone that makes zero effort. Really hadn't "noticed" it until now. What a contrast. (I mean I noticed and looked, just didn't think about it)
as a young military dependant ("rug rat") I crossed both the Atlantic and Pacific on MSTS ships. It was interesting, more fun than any passenger aircraft crossing. Sal, you speak with the authority of an old "salt". Thank you for sounding the alarm re the attrition of our sealift capability. But sadly, that alarm competes with many others re the west's strategic position.
Recently left the RFA. There are a lot of reasons to leave the RFA, first the in the RFA you have to deal with the rules, regs., training (I had to do an online course on fire risks in an office) of the RN, Civil service and Merchant navy so you're doing a more difficult job. Second the RN is trying to militarise a civilian organisation without providing the benefits that come with being service personnel. Finally, you have pay. I'm working less than 6 months this year as an engine rating and will a few thousand more than an RFA 3/O. Oh and PDR's, fuck those things, I have yet to have to write a PDR since leaving the RFA and can say they are a huge waste of time. Each supervisor you have has a different idea of how it should be written, so you end up having to rewrite it time after time.
I was USN, Merchant & MSC .. MSC 2004-06' .. MSC reminded me of a cross between the Navy & the Post Office ("right way, wrong way, the navy way" and the post office as in going postal) .. Huge turnover (back then incl me) .. I heard it was Great, pre Cole Bombing & "Forced Protection" re Port Visits .. The Nav required, but wouldn't pay for MSC' Ship's Sec / Port Visits .. We were staying out -doing circles while the Nav pulled into Pattaya (for eg) .. I think it was "6 mos on or Until Relieved" (And Routine No Relief) .. I was a MSO ("Doc") and I spent all day responding to emails & literally "supporting Jobs Ashore" rather than the reverse (one would think) I received little to No Support .. MSC didn't want anything-hands on, clinically, to do with a Mariner .. The other 1/2 of my Job was BS, "Non Fits" d/t Personnel Conflicts & No Reliefs .. "Horrible Attitudes" from the Masters & Offs / Dept Heads (top down & bottom up) .. Rancid, Stat quo - BS, Low expectations & "a lot of Assholes" w/ Bad Attitudes .. Speak of BS; re a Phil Crew on an AFS out of Guam ("Phil Mafia" lol) .. Inmates had better attitudes in the Prison & Jail I worked in .. And what happen to these Nav Kids (they lost the work hard & "play hard" ethos & skill) ..
Sal i completely agree with everything your saying, but MSC does allow civmars access to the NEX, etc. Not allowed commissary still however. All civmars are allowed to obtain a Nex privilege id for Conus, Oconus does not require it, if civmar is on crew list
As you say, Sal, it may not be the face (I'm just agreeing with you!) but it definitely is the shirts! And maybe also the well-informed commentary and drinking games. :)
2 Generation MSC sailor 1979 - 1991 best decision I made was to go UNION! Durying the Korean War My Dad was assigned Japanese unlicensed engineers Wipers, Oilers, Juniors. Once the language barrier was broken things worked out. In times of crisis Allied crew members have subsisted US Sailors. Many Filipino sailors if given fair employment could be a potential source for needed crew members. .
Money seems to be the solution to any Maratime Crewing issue. I work 9 months a year on average at a “equal time” company. Difference is I only have to work six months a year at month on/off. I chose if I work more typically.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a naval auxiliary fleet owned by the UK's Ministry of Defence. It provides logistical and operational support to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The RFA provides fuel and stores through replenishment at sea, transporting Royal Marines and British Army personnel, providing medical care and transporting equipment and essentials around the world. In addition the RFA acts independently providing humanitarian aid, counter piracy and counter narcotic patrols together with assisting the Royal Navy in preventing conflict and securing international trade. They are a uniformed civilian branch of the Royal Navy staffed by British merchant sailors. The RFA is one of five RN fighting arms . RFA personnel are civilian employees of the Ministry of Defence from Wikipedia
The civilian vs regular thing seems a huge issue, non service get a bad deal. Bad leave & LWOP won't keep people. For the RFA, Prince Edward is new Commodore, an obvious step in a new marketing/recruit program [if they can fix some issues ofc]. He & his wife Sophie are incredibly popular & will help raise the RFA's profile. _It's cool he's the RFA Pennant Officer, the correct rank, not an admiral._ ⚓
It is noteworthy that one of the most relevant structures of globalization: maritime trade and communication - is regarded as a 'resource' that can be exploited, indefinitely. It's almost as if the management class bets on AI driven unmanned shipping - which sounds plausible on paper, but since it hasn't been established, anywhere there would have to be a plan for orderly transition if occasional collapse is to be avoided...
If you replace munitions with art supplies you might get more people to join the military. Biggest mistake of my life was not going to college to be a merchant marine engineer. .
Art supplies don't sink ships or bomb out fortifications though and we already have a long standing major issue with our military not being able to be aggressive enough to fight especially entrenched Middle Eastern forces. We need bodies but we can't lower the bar any more before we start putting the wrong type of people in the military.
i looked into msc years ago when laid off from offshore supply vessels. msc pay was lousy and i would have had to start all over to be an ab because an ab osv doesn't do the silly lifeboat rowing, and you need more sea time. msc was just a lousy deal.
The bottom line is no respect. A man goes around once and he should understand his worth and value and what truly has to offer He should find a situation where he has it. It creates a healthy two way street.
Hawsepiper of over 30 years service here. In re MSC, everyone KNOWS what their problem is, and have known it forever. The solutions are simple. MSC Mariners must be removed from the Civil Service altogether and be governed by the Maritime Administration since to BE Mariners, they are of the Maritime Service…just like Navy Sailors are of the Naval Service and Soldiers are of the Military Service. When seamen are governed and administered by seamen, that understand what the job entails and the culture that obtains, the problem of leave and pay and quality of life should then resolve. MarAd has their own problems, don’t get me wrong, but there would be ONE authority that sets the mark and be responsible for everyone working with a MMC. This would also entail the Licensing and Credentialing shop of the USCG would be transferred to MarAd.
They only advertise in Norfolk, Jacksonville and a few spots on the west coast. I’m from Mississippi. Didn’t even know MSC it existed until a friend told me about it he joined when he left the Navy. You’re never able to go home they are constantly messing up mariners pay. People aren’t getting paid or are on ships getting pool pay. It may take months to get fixed. One guy on my ship has had his pay rate screwed up twice in 6 months by the time they finally pay you the lump sum it’s taxed heavily. Internet would definitely be nice to help stay in touch with what you have left of a family. You can’t plan anything because you never know when you’ll be home. A pay raise would definitely help. Plus dealing with anything shoreside is a sh+t show. If you can even get them to answer the phone or return a email. There’s No other job in America you would get away with working people 7 days a week +12 hours a day for 6-10 months at a time, Then act surprised when workers are burned out.
I gave no family abd would be happy to become a Narinee. I gave iver 35 yeats in Business Entrepreneurship, Management abd Truck and Transit driving. Whete do i sign up and jow van u gelp?... I xan that nk on my feet!.. i don't require time iff... WITHOUT family..i woild tather work. I cant find a job in my Chisen fields which ate being replaced with AI...so...???... Deep RESPECT to all... Much Love, Peace and Unity Brothers and Sisters out there...from landlocked Alberta, Canada ...that never knew jobs like this EXISTED!
Wasnt there a " PORT LEAVE time, DISTANCE" (IE, 5 miles 72 hours, etc? ) It worked out in the past! You lose your berth as you get further and further lost and more late..... Jail for illegal entry SAILORS past the "buffer"
I got fed up with the navy twice. First when I got orders to OCS as a QM2/SS and quit virtually immediately so retrograde was the entire skimmer puke oriented atmosphere and then second, when I foolishly tried federal civil service MSC on the haze grey ships after being in the Gulf War as an AB on commercial MSC chartered pre-positioning ships. They simply don’t get it that the merchant marine is not the navy. Merchant seamen work in bursts of several months followed by perhaps a two month vacation. They don’t want to live afloat for an entire year most especially in open bay berthing on a non civilian converted naval auxiliary. Then also they pull stunts like continually shifting berths when you’re in port at Norfolk, for instance. But then the regular commercial merchant marine is also screwed up for a variety of reasons as well. Is it any wonder that the deep sea US flag merchant fleet is down to less than 200 vessels? Instead of wasting my money on the 3rd mate’s cram course at Crawford’s I went to barber college instead since I was desperate to become self employed. That was back in 1995. When Z-cards were required to be renewed like driver’s licenses I allowed mine to lapse. My only connection to seafaring today is going canoeing on Lake Erie, but it’s hard to find anyone to paddle bow since I need the ballast up forward to cope with the wind.
I can't believe the UK RFA has not had a raise in 14 years ! Do they have to live on their ships just to avoid becoming homeless? It sounds almost like those on top trying to return to the days of impressment. As you say in the video, it's also the little things, the way these merchant mariners seem to be treated antagonistically for no good reason. Workers in any field are always mindful of pay, but also in every field there are bosses & companies who destroy the morale of employees by constantly disrespecting & cheating them in small ways. I have a weird idea regarding US MSC, but what do people think: What would happen if the US MSC was placed (more or less) under the Coast Guard, instead of Navy? Would their treatment improve?
Bureaucracy! Lol to the government it's cheaper to pay some merchant sailor 10 times the pay of a navy sailor but shaft them 10 times more, instead of just using navy sailors. However, as I remeber it in a time of war (think near peer.) The msc crews are swapped with navy sailors.
I'll say again, why would I waste my engineer license sailing 9/10ths of the year and *BARELY* making any more money? For a country picking fights around the world (and now these countries have an ability to fight back). Lets not forget the elites that are running all of these grifts hate me. I'm good, I'll stick to my 150k working half the year in a comfy commercial ship, thanks tho😊 Not to mention they want you to get a bunch of classes and security clearances before you can even sail. Nah. Here I'll fix your MSC problem. Officers start at 175k, minimum 4 months off, government and union pension, overseas tax benefits, same benefits as military. (This is coming from a veteran)
Hell being a submariner we never got the same recognition the 'surface' pukes got.... It's like the the USN never updated past the early 20th century, the only thing they recognize is aviators and surface crew, submariners and MSC are f'd...
Broadly speaking, I think we've already been told at the political level how things will be dealt with which includes Mariners. When the situation is considered dire enough, there will be a Draft.
HUMP CAPTAIN SAL, GETS US UP OVER THE SHIPPING HUMPS!!! PLEASE TAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND SET THIS AS RIGHT AS YOU CAN WITH GOVERNMENT.....WE ARE GETTING SCREWED ON LAND AND SEA!!!
Pay can only increase with budget cuts, many municipalities had to fix their own roads, upgrade utilities etc.. Now Uncle Sam is paying for everything…😔
Solution, pay them more money and crews will come. Why would I work on these ships, when I can crew a private yacht, work half the year, make more money and get tips. Plus you actually get to go to nice ports of call vs some of the Sh!thole places the Navy send you to.
"The young" would sail, eagerly.... IF it was worth their while. But it's just not. Not even close w/MSC. And THAT's a management problem. Pure and simple. Give those "young" folks a vision, descent recompense ($$ is only part of it), some pride, comradery, and esprit de corps that's not just BS.... You'd have more than you need. Even in today's economy. As for random Flag Officers trying to "BE IN CHARGE" ... ...The US .mil community upper echelons have bread real leadership out at the mid level for the most part, then take a random flag officer and give them the "opportunity" to "lead" free men and women (vise .mil members) and it's a recipe for disaster. Reliably and Predictably. But their community won't see that. Probably not even after it's too late.
@@breezecreationsllc9381 I agree completely. But I'd say a Good manager who's Also a Leader (that eliminates 98% of what .mil promotes now) would do well enough that we'd both be ok with it.
Oh shut up they're graduating sailors every 6 months. People are just smart enough to not take a garbage deal. Laughed at MSC everytime they came to the academy begging for manpower. Glad we convinced 99% of graduates to avoid them like a plague. I'd work for the sketchiest Louisiana oil companies before I'd go to MSC.
As a former active duty USN sailor on a combat ship. I never looked down on any of the USNS ships that we UNREPPED from, they were haze gray and underway just like we were, and they weren't sitting in port in Tahiti waiting to run out and give us some gas or food or ammunition and then go back to a life of luxury. These ships were always off the beaten track in the middle of nowhere and working unescorted which in my mind is a very ballsy thing to have to do with such a high valued ship and we could have never been able to do what we did without them. And from a food perspective, we were always happy to do anything other than just taking on fuel or ammo because it meant that we would be getting some fresh fruits and vegetables and milk and eggs as well as ice cream, so everyone worked harder pulling on those ropes and hustled a little bit extra because we always knew it was going to pay off for us in the galley and future meals for the crew.
And speaking about a shortage of Filipino Mariners in the industry right now and the levels of danger they face both globally and in their own home waters, I would like to shout out to all the Filipino's serving in the USN now and in prior service and for guys I served with, we had a bunch of great MS rates that made some of the best damn food I ever ate onboard my ship and the Filipino themed meals were always not just some of the best, but something the entire crew looked forward too. So, Cheer's to Lumpia & Adobo 💯
Well said shipmate. Sailed USN & MSC for decades. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Please pass the chicken feet on a stick.
@@chuckboyle8456 We never got to eat chicken feet oh my ship, if we did have any onboard, those would have been horded, it would have never been discussed as the same if we had nuclear weapons onboard. 😜
I never would know any of this. So glad you took the time to enlighten us! 😀👍
Yup, these guys should all be in the Navy Reserve and the ships should have 50 cal M@HB at the least and perhaps a CIWS on the bow as well. Legally these ships could be part of the fleet and the crews would be naval reserves on active duty while at sea.
My dad sailed for several years in the 70's with the RFA. They would steam through storms that the navy would skirt around.
Wait you're telling me that people don't want to go work a ship for 8 months to a year at a time, make less money than private companies, and be expected to return a month later for another year of sailing? No way. I can't believe it. Sailed MSC during covid. They didn't care about their sailors. When you sail for 12 months straight and don't even make 6 figures and they call 3 weeks into being home asking of you're ready to come back you know there's a huge disconnect.
😂
And that 8 to 12 months a year can be without a break, 8-12 hours, 7 days a week.
And this is maybe? "why" I can not stand long shoremen and their In grateful gang? always schlepping the cream, skimming the butter, and milk, saying they need more, we are hungary.
I agree 100% with what you said and have been through the same thing. I worked for MSC for 9 years out of 38 years as a merchant mariner.
You nailed it brother! I am a covid refugee myself. There is a special pay rate for being restricted to the ship (gangway up) as written in the CMPI. I logged every single hour I was restricted to the ship in accordance to the CMPI agreement. Then all the sudden they say this is an "exception", throw the CMPI out the window, and pay much less than agreed. If they can just make up rules as they go, what's to stop us to make an exception to their exception ad infinitum?
100% Correct, Sal. My son just graduated USMMA last month and refused to even consider going to work for MSC. Mainly because he did his sea year on two MSC ships and heard horror stories about lack of leave and he saw firsthand how long overdue the other engineers were for their relief.
1988? My Father passed in 1993 and is buried in VA cemetery. He was happy to finally be recognized. He sailed WW2 T-2 tankers, torpedoed and sunk twice. Truly the greatest generation.
Jeez, the tankers. There's a grimdark tale of duty, determination, and death for anyone up for one. Read about that when I was young.
A similar thing happened with miners in Australia. The mining companies threw cash at the problem but it couldn't make up for the bad living conditions anymore, so they started replacing the accommodation tents with solid truck mobile houses with air conditioning and dining facilities with professional chefs to make breakfast and dinner and also gave packed lunches then they started giving good leave too with 1:1 ratios 1 week on 1 week off fully paid.
I hear you brother. It really sucks when management disrespects it's workers.
Then they replaced all the drivers with self drive trucks controlled from hundreds of km away got rid of every one the could , less cooks ,cleaners , much less people gutted it for workers . Companies win
@@pjwesteinde That didn't happen, since they're still hiring like crazy, but that's still a cool dream.
I recently quit MSC after sailing for 11 years as an Able Seaman on the west coast. For me the gangway up that Sal mentioned was the last draw. It drove me out.
@@stephe77 I feel like there would be grounds for false imprisonment law suit. If contractors and mental personnel are moving back and forth you can't reasonably force civmars to stay. I'm sorry you all had to go through that. I would loose my S too.
@@curtisroberts9137Right? You can't just press gang people into service on your ship anymore. They'll just say screw it and leave at the next port then go work somewhere else
@@SavingMaverick55 sometimes mutiny is justified
I hear ya. An east coast AB that walked out on them.
One of my favorite (British) naval authors, Douglas Reeman, said in his many books, in peacetime nobody cares. In war they expect bloody miracles. He served on motor torpedo boats in World War II in the Royal Navy. It's clear in his writings he was very much affected by the terrible state of affairs facing the Royal Navy at the beginning of World War II. Never enough escorts, convoys decimated by German U-boat attacks, air attacks and surface ships, And now they only have enough crews for 10 frigates? With all that's going on in the world, the UK government better wake up-and fast. Here in the U.S. we're not in much better shape. This year we've taken more ships out of service than we built. You can't win with numbers like that. Thanks Sal for another timely video.
Don't worry, Labour will make things much worse. Expect one carrier at least to be sold to maybe India and the other to have reduced steaming days, along with the rest of the Navy. They might even lay up some frigates in reserve, do to lack of crews.
“WIN” what is a win ?
Just resigned from MSC after 3 years. The work life balance and shoreside support is atrocious.
I worked for MSC for maybe two months right after the first Gulf War after working commercial vessels and making four voyages to Saudi Arabia during that conflict. To me MSC was simply totally out of touch with the mentality of the typical merchant seaman who expects first, his own cabin, and then second, prompt relief after working no more than six months afloat. That they expected everyone to live in open bay berthing, spend an entire year afloat, and then settle for just one month of vacation was simply asinine and not worth bothering with so I quit and went back to commercial shipping which in and of itself is bad enough if you stop to really think about it. Finally just went to barber college and cut hair for 20 years. Submarines are equally ridiculous for regular navy people. Once you’re qualified submarines they won’t even consider transferring you to surface craft.
Quit MSC 2 weeks ago after a 6 year career with them including a Cadet internship. Sailed 3M up to 2M Cargo Officer. COVID, Admirals trying to make it the Navy, the disconnect between N1 (CIVMAR Manning) and the ships, no respect from detailers, having to fight for time off AND additional training classes, Captains and Chief Engineers not allowing to retain personnel for yard periods or get their personnel back at the of yards, wages that are non-competitive compared to commercial companies, lack of manning that causes 8 month voyages that also has the effect of additional burden on the crews to carry the weight of a vacant billet.
Third Mates are now going 6-8 months without relief, Second and Chief Mayes are being passed around ships to get them underway out of a yard or for a SMART inspection then being passed to the next. It’s getting worse and the “office” doesn’t care.
Preach brother, the situation MSC is facing is a bit more dire than most people realize.
I vote Dr Sal as our next SecNav. Please take the job Sal, please? We need you there.
MSC doesn't care about it's people! The pay is ok ( when you get paid correctly) the leave policy sucks, the office (medical,detailers) work against you,not for you. People are fed up, and they are walking.
Back in 1989 then Admiral told us they were going to change the shipping policy. The people in the office said the admiral doesn’t run MSC we do. And we got offered unlicensed jobs and told 9 to 10 months deployments were standard. People were telling us they would be called back after one month and if they didn’t go back, they would be fired. Nothing has changed. MSE personnel policy sucks. I got off at a $36,000 bonus a few years ago I went out on, two tours. I asked them how long they said four months I said bullshit more like 9 to 10 months and they said yes. With a month off in between I said no thanks. If I was starting over, I go to work for a company like Royal Caribbean. We are treated well. The initial pay is not high like European or US wages but when you moved into the senior ranks, yes. Plus the style of living you get is very high.
I've been saying for years, we need mariners working in the office for other seaman.
There are some, but not enough and they do not hold the top positions so they are ignored.
Very true. Anyone who works at the MSC office should have to go to sea for a few years first. This should be mandatory because it would solve the problem of the office workers not caring & not having any understanding of what merchant seamen do for a living.
Hi Sal, I’m not sure if you are aware of this, but anyone who has a US military veteran status can now patronize the Exchange and Commissary at US military posts and bases. It means going through the gyration of getting a VA identification card and then getting it approved to enter the military installation. There is no cost associated other than your time and your favorable DD214. Once approved, it should be valid at any post/base. Now, there are some additional restrictions that come into play. You need to be active duty military or fully retired from the military (20+ years) to be able to purchase cigarettes or alcohol. There are also some surcharges involved with some products (like food at the Commissary). So this can allow at least some of MSC people to use these facilities. Maybe if this gets popular, Congress might actually expand this to all of MSC. That is, if they are not too busy legislating refrigerators and dishwashers.
The Air Force's former Military Airlift Command, now Air Mobility Command, has always been an integral part of the Air Force. Perhaps the Navy should follow the Air Force.
There was talk of this, as China's navy grows and ours shrinks, these ships may need to be armed. Originally these roles were filled by full commissioned ships, the navy decided this was more cost effective way of doing things. Now it would mean the loss of Union Jobs and the money they funnel through their PACs.
We also need to have a Navy version of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, which will require US Flagged commercial ships returning to the high seas. We can do this, it just takes time and money.
@@usn1861 "Originally these roles were filled by full commissioned ships..." Been there, done that, USS Suribachi AE21 1984-1988. Med/IO became Shellback. Into the yards. GITMO in sunny Cuba. Med cruise. North Atlantic, became Bluenose.
My late brother sailed for MSC in the late 70s and early 80s after graduating from the Harry Lundberg school of seamanship with high honors. One of the ships I remember he served on was the Neosho. He ran one of the unrep rigs for the fuel transfers. Made pretty good money. The last straw for him was when they were reactivating ships from the ready reserve fleet and he was placed on one and the ship was in such poor shape and broke down twice, trying to cross the Atlantic, when it came back to port, he jump ship. He said it wasn’t worth it to serve on derelict vessels not fit for sea duty.
A big problem to me seems to be that most people don't know about jobs on the water. I grew up in Michigan, surrounded by the great lakes. I went to a vocational technology school for 1/2 day my junior and senior years. It was great, my instructor had colleges, tech schools, business and all branches of the military come in and talk to us about how what we were learning now could be applied and built upon to form a very rewarding career with them. No representation from the merchant marine at all, we are only 60 miles south of the school in Traverse City! And here I am 21 years later looking to get in the industry and finding out its not easy to get into, of course you can't find people! There is no recruiting and even for people looking to get into it it is difficult to say the least
You're the man, Sal. Maybe you can do a video now and then highlighting people doing the various jobs that, as you mentioned, seafaring organizations should be putting on TikTok and youtube. Perhaps one of my sons would become interested
I never really knew about MSC until your channel and more recently The Wandering Mariner's channel. I wonder why they dont some advertising like the military does. I've thought about doing something like this for years but it's very difficult to figure out how to get into the industry without help. Finally my kids are grown and I sat down and researched it. If the MSC did some adds maybe they could do a better job of recruiting new blood.
I also sailed with private companies, and I will say it was a little better, more time off, more bang for your buck.
Served on a split crew ship in the navy where half the crew was MSC (cooks, engineers, supply ect) and the other half Navy. It was interesting. I loved the MSC crew they were a funny bunch of some of the hardest working guys I have ever worked with. I had planned on trying to get into MSC after the navy because the pay was so much better. But they warned me to look at it deeper than the paycheck. I still am tempted to apply some days but other days, I'm glad I'm out of the sailor life.
I went AWOL after not being relieved after 7 months. MSC = More Sh^t Comming
Dearest Captain... Sir...life is about to change in ways you can't possibly fathom at this point. Good for you. Stay safe ..in a few months you'll understand why UAM stating this as... ALL G7 Countries and Governments are being Blackballed by the same Countries and Governments they SANCTIONED...thus BRICS is going to change the way money flows in this World...we are in a transitional phase if Many, Many ... HUGE changes ahead...Ei! Ei! Captain! ( Salute) ...please be easy in YOURSELF and take your much needed rest...the things I could tell you... ANYHOW...heads up! Thanks for your many years of Service..if people knew how hard y'all work! Much Love and Light, Peace and Unity
Sal a bit of a surprise when I started the video.
I thought the channel had been hijacked and the workers’ revolution had begun.
Great update Sal. Many thanks
I missed out on a good career option. In my first marriage, going home was the worst part of my life...lol.
I learned WHILE MECHANIC ING ON BICYCLES AMD MOTORCYCLES "......IF IT WORKS ON THE STAND, IT MIGHT NOT WORK ON LAND......" SAL JUST SAID THIS A DIFFERENT WAY! IT PROVES ITSELF OUT ALL OVER AND IN ALL THINGS!!!!
Sal congrats , you are now the official maritime expert on You Tube 👏
however ..... Sic transit gloria mundi
Sal I really wish you'd put out a video of the process the average person has to take in order to become a MSC employee. It sounds like you have to have a 4 year degree? Or can you get training like the navy provides for non-officer roles and start working after 6 months of shore training then get OJT to learn the rest? Very interesting video and agree there is a need for an educational program so young people know what is available. However, the deployment issues will need to be addressed or no one will want to do the job.
There really is only one requirement. Can you get a clearance?
With the school to prison pipeline feeding the prison-industrial complex these days it’s getting harder and harder.
"Non Licensed" you do not need college .. Google MSC Website .. You need to get credentialed thru the Coast Guard .. There's a ton of courses and A Lot of Hoops ..
Sam, You're awesome. Thank you
i just met a whole bunch of these guys out of Australia and New Zealand. I’ve also done RAS and FAS with the US and Taiwan
Just got off my first deployment with MSC out of the Red sea since January. Hell of a first gig, all of us third mates were brand new on our first ship. After 8 months onboard and being discharged stateside in NJ, I can't help but to say I might not be ready for another 108 day lockdown in Jeddah, KSA. Counting the days on my contract with MSC in its' current state, I (thought) I knew what I was getting into but wow...
I remember having beers with the RFA on Sir Galahad when she used to come into Vancouver to unload tanks for BATUS, prior to the Falkland war.
Higher pay and more leave time would literally help retain the people that are already with the company.
Sal is an entertaining problem solver that has a deep understanding of his subject matter. Where are the smart problem solvers that will be given opportunities early on in their career. They do a bad job and is this the upper echelon of military and too many of them that don’t want to solve problems?
Very good explanation. Very helpful. Thank you both.
I didn't realise how bad conditions have become.
It is a long time since my seagoing days, but although there were some occasions when things were rough, I think my shipping company was very good. Paid leave was earned at 1 day off for 2 days worked (long days admittedly) and my longest tour was 6 months with most being around 5 months. They even arranged for me to fly to New Zealand for part of my leave instead of flying direct home from Japan.
There was a good relationship with the headquarters staff, some of whom had previously been seagoing colleagues of mine, but even the ones that I didn't know personally were good.
I received paid leave to attend Marine College (in Cardiff, Wales) and to sit the DoT exams.
What I have just heard in this video about conditions in the RFA and MSC is quite horrifying and it needs sorting very quickly.
Just appreciating the effort in Sal's background, compared to someone that makes zero effort. Really hadn't "noticed" it until now. What a contrast.
(I mean I noticed and looked, just didn't think about it)
as a young military dependant ("rug rat") I crossed both the Atlantic and Pacific on MSTS ships. It was interesting, more fun than any passenger aircraft crossing. Sal, you speak with the authority of an old "salt". Thank you for sounding the alarm re the attrition of our sealift capability. But sadly, that alarm competes with many others re the west's strategic position.
That was more than interesting! Great video again, thank you.
Recently left the RFA. There are a lot of reasons to leave the RFA, first the in the RFA you have to deal with the rules, regs., training (I had to do an online course on fire risks in an office) of the RN, Civil service and Merchant navy so you're doing a more difficult job. Second the RN is trying to militarise a civilian organisation without providing the benefits that come with being service personnel. Finally, you have pay. I'm working less than 6 months this year as an engine rating and will a few thousand more than an RFA 3/O. Oh and PDR's, fuck those things, I have yet to have to write a PDR since leaving the RFA and can say they are a huge waste of time. Each supervisor you have has a different idea of how it should be written, so you end up having to rewrite it time after time.
Who are you working for now mate if you don't mind me asking
I was USN, Merchant & MSC .. MSC 2004-06' .. MSC reminded me of a cross between the Navy & the Post Office ("right way, wrong way, the navy way" and the post office as in going postal) .. Huge turnover (back then incl me) .. I heard it was Great, pre Cole Bombing & "Forced Protection" re Port Visits .. The Nav required, but wouldn't pay for MSC' Ship's Sec / Port Visits .. We were staying out -doing circles while the Nav pulled into Pattaya (for eg) .. I think it was "6 mos on or Until Relieved" (And Routine No Relief) .. I was a MSO ("Doc") and I spent all day responding to emails & literally "supporting Jobs Ashore" rather than the reverse (one would think) I received little to No Support .. MSC didn't want anything-hands on, clinically, to do with a Mariner .. The other 1/2 of my Job was BS, "Non Fits" d/t Personnel Conflicts & No Reliefs .. "Horrible Attitudes" from the Masters & Offs / Dept Heads (top down & bottom up) .. Rancid, Stat quo - BS, Low expectations & "a lot of Assholes" w/ Bad Attitudes .. Speak of BS; re a Phil Crew on an AFS out of Guam ("Phil Mafia" lol) .. Inmates had better attitudes in the Prison & Jail I worked in .. And what happen to these Nav Kids (they lost the work hard & "play hard" ethos & skill) ..
I sailed with MSC after leaving the Navy, retired in the mid 2000's
I sailed with MSC back in the seventies and I left because of the leave policy.
Sal i completely agree with everything your saying, but MSC does allow civmars access to the NEX, etc. Not allowed commissary still however. All civmars are allowed to obtain a Nex privilege id for Conus, Oconus does not require it, if civmar is on crew list
Thanks Sal
As you say, Sal, it may not be the face (I'm just agreeing with you!) but it definitely is the shirts! And maybe also the well-informed commentary and drinking games. :)
Great job Sal!
2 Generation MSC sailor 1979 - 1991 best decision I made was to go UNION!
Durying the Korean War My Dad was assigned Japanese unlicensed engineers Wipers, Oilers, Juniors. Once the language barrier was broken things worked out.
In times of crisis Allied crew members have subsisted US Sailors.
Many Filipino sailors if given fair employment could be a potential source for needed crew members. .
Mates and engineers officers are at 60% right now. It’s should be at 120%.
How is that possible? Are the ships running short on those billets? If your stat is true then the organization is on the verge of collapse .
@@adambergeron5 yes it’s true gaped billets and 1 station manning. If we gotta go to war, we’d be screwed.
Always enlightening
Money seems to be the solution to any Maratime Crewing issue. I work 9 months a year on average at a “equal time” company. Difference is I only have to work six months a year at month on/off. I chose if I work more typically.
At least in the US, the MSC could probably get a ton of new recruits just by advertising that students could be student-debt free in 1-2 years!
Ah ! There he is!
Never knew there was an issue, but it is important! Seems our governments ought to give fewer tax cuts to the wealthy class, and more to our services!
Keep up the good work.
168 days to Christmas ! Um…great episode 😊
It's true for the brass as well: one oship outranks ten attaboys!
They'll be joining shortly.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a naval auxiliary fleet owned by the UK's Ministry of Defence. It provides logistical and operational support to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The RFA provides fuel and stores through replenishment at sea, transporting Royal Marines and British Army personnel, providing medical care and transporting equipment and essentials around the world. In addition the RFA acts independently providing humanitarian aid, counter piracy and counter narcotic patrols together with assisting the Royal Navy in preventing conflict and securing international trade.
They are a uniformed civilian branch of the Royal Navy staffed by British merchant sailors.
The RFA is one of five RN fighting arms .
RFA personnel are civilian employees of the Ministry of Defence
from Wikipedia
And?
@@paulmcmahon6275 Just so you know this is an AI training itself by describing UA-cam videos, it isnt going to reply to you.
The civilian vs regular thing seems a huge issue, non service get a bad deal. Bad leave & LWOP won't keep people. For the RFA, Prince Edward is new Commodore, an obvious step in a new marketing/recruit program [if they can fix some issues ofc]. He & his wife Sophie are incredibly popular & will help raise the RFA's profile. _It's cool he's the RFA Pennant Officer, the correct rank, not an admiral._ ⚓
I cannot believe that anyone thinks that RFA or MSC are good employers and worthy of loyalty.
Thanks Sal!
It's a joke inside my household that me and my 4-monthold are interested in 'Whats going on with shipping?'
I got my 9 year old grandson interested recently! When he comes over for a visit he asks if we can watch more ship videos!
Have the Admiral run to the Class VI for the merchant ship crews. : D
Thanks!
It is noteworthy that one of the most relevant structures of globalization: maritime trade and communication - is regarded as a 'resource' that can be exploited, indefinitely.
It's almost as if the management class bets on AI driven unmanned shipping - which sounds plausible on paper, but since it hasn't been established, anywhere there would have to be a plan for orderly transition if occasional collapse is to be avoided...
On today's episode of What's going on with shipping: a rerun for me. Sal helping boost #s out there, ehh. Bab al mandab
If you replace munitions with art supplies you might get more people to join the military. Biggest mistake of my life was not going to college to be a merchant marine engineer. .
Art supplies don't sink ships or bomb out fortifications though and we already have a long standing major issue with our military not being able to be aggressive enough to fight especially entrenched Middle Eastern forces. We need bodies but we can't lower the bar any more before we start putting the wrong type of people in the military.
Dont worry guys here in Australia our auxiliaries are owned by a foreign company . Debacle
Did the front fall off? 😂
Ha, I know what you're referring to. Loved John Clarke. :)
i looked into msc years ago when laid off from offshore supply vessels. msc pay was lousy and i would have had to start all over to be an ab because an ab osv doesn't do the silly lifeboat rowing, and you need more sea time. msc was just a lousy deal.
The bottom line is no respect. A man goes around once and he should understand his worth and value and what truly has to offer He should find a situation where he has it. It creates a healthy two way street.
Hawsepiper of over 30 years service here. In re MSC, everyone KNOWS what their problem is, and have known it forever. The solutions are simple. MSC Mariners must be removed from the Civil Service altogether and be governed by the Maritime Administration since to BE Mariners, they are of the Maritime Service…just like Navy Sailors are of the Naval Service and Soldiers are of the Military Service.
When seamen are governed and administered by seamen, that understand what the job entails and the culture that obtains, the problem of leave and pay and quality of life should then resolve. MarAd has their own problems, don’t get me wrong, but there would be ONE authority that sets the mark and be responsible for everyone working with a MMC.
This would also entail the Licensing and Credentialing shop of the USCG would be transferred to MarAd.
Sal, I think you could help this guy with, perhaps, shirt selection, and maybe a flower pot and bookshelf for his prison cell.
They only advertise in Norfolk, Jacksonville and a few spots on the west coast. I’m from Mississippi. Didn’t even know MSC it existed until a friend told me about it he joined when he left the Navy. You’re never able to go home they are constantly messing up mariners pay. People aren’t getting paid or are on ships getting pool pay. It may take months to get fixed. One guy on my ship has had his pay rate screwed up twice in 6 months by the time they finally pay you the lump sum it’s taxed heavily. Internet would definitely be nice to help stay in touch with what you have left of a family. You can’t plan anything because you never know when you’ll be home. A pay raise would definitely help. Plus dealing with anything shoreside is a sh+t show. If you can even get them to answer the phone or return a email. There’s No other job in America you would get away with working people 7 days a week +12 hours a day for 6-10 months at a time, Then act surprised when workers are burned out.
I gave no family abd would be happy to become a Narinee. I gave iver 35 yeats in Business Entrepreneurship, Management abd Truck and Transit driving. Whete do i sign up and jow van u gelp?... I xan that nk on my feet!.. i don't require time iff... WITHOUT family..i woild tather work. I cant find a job in my Chisen fields which ate being replaced with AI...so...???... Deep RESPECT to all... Much Love, Peace and Unity Brothers and Sisters out there...from landlocked Alberta, Canada ...that never knew jobs like this EXISTED!
Bit confused which channel was hosting this?
The most beautiful accent I've ever heard.
Let older people join up and help us get started. A 40yr old is more likely to give 30 years than a 20 year old.
Wasnt there a " PORT LEAVE time, DISTANCE" (IE, 5 miles 72 hours, etc? ) It worked out in the past! You lose your berth as you get further and further lost and more late.....
Jail for illegal entry SAILORS past the "buffer"
Jeez, even I've gotten a raise or two in the last 14 years, and I'm a landlubber.
Where is CAPTAIN SAL???
I got fed up with the navy twice. First when I got orders to OCS as a QM2/SS and quit virtually immediately so retrograde was the entire skimmer puke oriented atmosphere and then second, when I foolishly tried federal civil service MSC on the haze grey ships after being in the Gulf War as an AB on commercial MSC chartered pre-positioning ships. They simply don’t get it that the merchant marine is not the navy. Merchant seamen work in bursts of several months followed by perhaps a two month vacation. They don’t want to live afloat for an entire year most especially in open bay berthing on a non civilian converted naval auxiliary. Then also they pull stunts like continually shifting berths when you’re in port at Norfolk, for instance. But then the regular commercial merchant marine is also screwed up for a variety of reasons as well. Is it any wonder that the deep sea US flag merchant fleet is down to less than 200 vessels? Instead of wasting my money on the 3rd mate’s cram course at Crawford’s I went to barber college instead since I was desperate to become self employed. That was back in 1995. When Z-cards were required to be renewed like driver’s licenses I allowed mine to lapse. My only connection to seafaring today is going canoeing on Lake Erie, but it’s hard to find anyone to paddle bow since I need the ballast up forward to cope with the wind.
Fix the leave, id go back in a heart beat
I can't believe the UK RFA has not had a raise in 14 years ! Do they have to live on their ships just to avoid becoming homeless?
It sounds almost like those on top trying to return to the days of impressment.
As you say in the video, it's also the little things, the way these merchant mariners seem to be treated antagonistically for no good reason. Workers in any field are always mindful of pay, but also in every field there are bosses & companies who destroy the morale of employees by constantly disrespecting & cheating them in small ways.
I have a weird idea regarding US MSC, but what do people think: What would happen if the US MSC was placed (more or less) under the Coast Guard, instead of Navy? Would their treatment improve?
I don’t understand why they aren’t just full blown sailors,
Bureaucracy! Lol to the government it's cheaper to pay some merchant sailor 10 times the pay of a navy sailor but shaft them 10 times more, instead of just using navy sailors. However, as I remeber it in a time of war (think near peer.) The msc crews are swapped with navy sailors.
I'll say again, why would I waste my engineer license sailing 9/10ths of the year and *BARELY* making any more money? For a country picking fights around the world (and now these countries have an ability to fight back). Lets not forget the elites that are running all of these grifts hate me.
I'm good, I'll stick to my 150k working half the year in a comfy commercial ship, thanks tho😊
Not to mention they want you to get a bunch of classes and security clearances before you can even sail. Nah.
Here I'll fix your MSC problem. Officers start at 175k, minimum 4 months off, government and union pension, overseas tax benefits, same benefits as military. (This is coming from a veteran)
Sal / USA just kicked the UK / Nautilus International's tushie is the battle of Production Values - butt go Union
Hell being a submariner we never got the same recognition the 'surface' pukes got.... It's like the the USN never updated past the early 20th century, the only thing they recognize is aviators and surface crew, submariners and MSC are f'd...
Broadly speaking, I think we've already been told at the political level how things will be dealt with which includes Mariners. When the situation is considered dire enough, there will be a Draft.
Bab al-Mandab!
🍺
Update: United Kingdom’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) to strike for first time ever.
Professor Sal tells it like it is & pulls no punches, but the Brass ain't listening, as usual....
Sounds like the Brits need to take a lesson from the causes of the Mutiny on the Nore in 1797. RN sailors hadn't had a pay raise for 60 years.
HUMP CAPTAIN SAL, GETS US UP OVER THE SHIPPING HUMPS!!! PLEASE TAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND SET THIS AS RIGHT AS YOU CAN WITH GOVERNMENT.....WE ARE GETTING SCREWED ON LAND AND SEA!!!
Pay can only increase with budget cuts, many municipalities had to fix their own roads, upgrade utilities etc.. Now Uncle Sam is paying for everything…😔
well there maybe "service grants citizenship" might work?
No
Is this Sal or the other dude? Not sure what's going on here?
Sal you have a face only a mother could love. Just kidding you look perfect for what you do.
Solution, pay them more money and crews will come. Why would I work on these ships, when I can crew a private yacht, work half the year, make more money and get tips. Plus you actually get to go to nice ports of call vs some of the Sh!thole places the Navy send you to.
MSC has changed over the years. The young don't want to sail.
"The young" would sail, eagerly.... IF it was worth their while. But it's just not. Not even close w/MSC.
And THAT's a management problem. Pure and simple.
Give those "young" folks a vision, descent recompense ($$ is only part of it), some pride, comradery, and esprit de corps that's not just BS.... You'd have more than you need. Even in today's economy.
As for random Flag Officers trying to "BE IN CHARGE" ... ...The US .mil community upper echelons have bread real leadership out at the mid level for the most part, then take a random flag officer and give them the "opportunity" to "lead" free men and women (vise .mil members) and it's a recipe for disaster. Reliably and Predictably.
But their community won't see that.
Probably not even after it's too late.
@@robersonorg We don't need Navy officers in charge of MSC. You need the experience of being a Civmar.
@@breezecreationsllc9381
I agree completely. But I'd say a Good manager who's Also a Leader (that eliminates 98% of what .mil promotes now) would do well enough that we'd both be ok with it.
@@robersonorg I don't like the word so-called leader. Be your own leader. I don't care who you are, you are never as strong as the people around you.
Oh shut up they're graduating sailors every 6 months. People are just smart enough to not take a garbage deal. Laughed at MSC everytime they came to the academy begging for manpower.
Glad we convinced 99% of graduates to avoid them like a plague.
I'd work for the sketchiest Louisiana oil companies before I'd go to MSC.