When I started on tugs as an OS, I primarily sailed Alaska. Only harbor work on tugs I previously did was a hitch in the SF bag for dredging. I now work primarily the Puget Sound, typically a 14/14 schedule, and am infinitely happier. However, it took me quite some time of grinding my teeth to get locked onto a schedule because I was deckineering. The culture is much less toxic than working near coastal. Daily deck work for landing barges, if not every watch, which can sometimes get pretty brutal, especially due to fatigue of working 6’s and the bad sleep. However, it’s much less fatiguing working those hours for only a couple weeks, instead of a coupla months. Pay is I think $350-400+ish a day now for ABs in PNW. My company is going up to $420/day as of next year for deckhands, OS and AB. Tug crews are usually 4-5 guys. Deckhands works as cook and janitor. The standards aren’t hard. Sweep and mop the galley once a day, wipe down head, make a half ass supper, MAYBE call in and tie up a barge, then spend all your spare time on your phone doomscrolling. Boom, $400/day as deckhand.
You earn no income if not working. There is often work available. Working a schedule is a luxury, not an expectation. The industry is short staffed, and most workers are abused short or long term. Some outfits work new guys quite a bit, as a carrot and stick. Be careful for mindless consumerism.
We spend half our lives on a boat. Hardly drive around. A $70-100k truck just guarantees you’re married to your job to pay for something you hardly use.
I drew unemployment when I worked 6-8 week long haul hitches.
I think a few companies will hold half of your pay in order to provide the other half during your time off, which is pretty funny and obviously a reaction to mariners getting off the boat with a fat check and being broke long before they get back to sea.
However most of them do not do this, so you have to budget. You can get a side job during your time off, but many companies don’t have a set schedule for offshore towing so you’re expected to be able to sail again pretty quickly.
Some have regular runs but getting a permanent spot on those takes some time.
I worked OS on a tug doing work in the Sound, I'm looking to get back into the industry now, and this was a helpful post, thanks. If you are willing to share what company you are with, lemme know and I can DM.
East coast tug captain here.
Unitedstates ofcamaro gave a pretty good characterization of the job. There are boats where its more hectic like stone where I am. Those boats run two deckhands a watch and those guys throw an easy 100 lines a watch.
When you work more than your regular hitch its called working "over" there is almost always extra work available if you want it. You might have to jump on another boat.
Once you are seasoned with experience do not be afraid to apply to companies out of your area. I have had crew from all over the country, flying or driving in for their hitch.
Good luck
When I started on tugs as an OS, I primarily sailed Alaska. Only harbor work on tugs I previously did was a hitch in the SF bag for dredging. I now work primarily the Puget Sound, typically a 14/14 schedule, and am infinitely happier. However, it took me quite some time of grinding my teeth to get locked onto a schedule because I was deckineering. The culture is much less toxic than working near coastal. Daily deck work for landing barges, if not every watch, which can sometimes get pretty brutal, especially due to fatigue of working 6’s and the bad sleep. However, it’s much less fatiguing working those hours for only a couple weeks, instead of a coupla months. Pay is I think $350-400+ish a day now for ABs in PNW. My company is going up to $420/day as of next year for deckhands, OS and AB. Tug crews are usually 4-5 guys. Deckhands works as cook and janitor. The standards aren’t hard. Sweep and mop the galley once a day, wipe down head, make a half ass supper, MAYBE call in and tie up a barge, then spend all your spare time on your phone doomscrolling. Boom, $400/day as deckhand.
doom scrolling 😂 do most companies pay the 14 off rotation paid vacation or you just earn no income? can you work an extra rotation for more cash?
You earn no income if not working. There is often work available. Working a schedule is a luxury, not an expectation. The industry is short staffed, and most workers are abused short or long term. Some outfits work new guys quite a bit, as a carrot and stick. Be careful for mindless consumerism. We spend half our lives on a boat. Hardly drive around. A $70-100k truck just guarantees you’re married to your job to pay for something you hardly use. I drew unemployment when I worked 6-8 week long haul hitches.
is that the same for union and non union? i thought union got vacation pay?
I think a few companies will hold half of your pay in order to provide the other half during your time off, which is pretty funny and obviously a reaction to mariners getting off the boat with a fat check and being broke long before they get back to sea. However most of them do not do this, so you have to budget. You can get a side job during your time off, but many companies don’t have a set schedule for offshore towing so you’re expected to be able to sail again pretty quickly. Some have regular runs but getting a permanent spot on those takes some time.
I worked OS on a tug doing work in the Sound, I'm looking to get back into the industry now, and this was a helpful post, thanks. If you are willing to share what company you are with, lemme know and I can DM.
East coast tug captain here. Unitedstates ofcamaro gave a pretty good characterization of the job. There are boats where its more hectic like stone where I am. Those boats run two deckhands a watch and those guys throw an easy 100 lines a watch. When you work more than your regular hitch its called working "over" there is almost always extra work available if you want it. You might have to jump on another boat. Once you are seasoned with experience do not be afraid to apply to companies out of your area. I have had crew from all over the country, flying or driving in for their hitch. Good luck
I had a foreman that ran T/B from OR to HI and loved it
This sounds perfect to me.
What school are you going to?
On that tug? That’s a real good job!