Riverboat Jobs?

[horseshowmom]

I work for a school district and just had a parent come talk to me about trying to help her find information on this topic.

Her son recently got his GED (he's 18), and he's interested in working on a riverboat. I told her I'd try to get her some information. Since I have no background in this subject, I thought I'd see if any of you do.

Where would he look (apply) for these jobs keeping in mind that we are midway between the Mississippi River and the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway (both major traffic areas)?

Thanks for any help you can give her!

 

[Pop Daddy]

I didnt know theys till had them, what kind of jobs would they have?

 

[Krisu]

Try the American Riverboat website, or Mississippi River Cruises

 

[kimmikayb]

Are you talking Riverboat "gambling" boats or a job on the barges?

 

[horseshowmom]

Are you talking Riverboat "gambling" boats or a job on the barges?

Good question - he's interested in the barges.

 

[horseshowmom]

I didnt know theys till had them, what kind of jobs would they have?

Try the American Riverboat website, or Mississippi River Cruises

Sorry, I didn't explain myself well. I meant the barges.

Like I said, I'm waaaayyyy out of my element here!

 

[dennis99ss]

send me a pm

 

[kimmikayb]

Here's a link for you to start at:

http://www.riverbarge.com/employ/employindex.asp

ETA, opps I see he wants a barge job. This link is for excursions.

 

[NotUrsula]

For a start, here is the website for Ingram Barge. They are the largest operator of towboats on the Missisippi. http://www.ingrambarge.com/barge.asp

People who work the rivers are part of the merchant marine. In monetary terms, the brass ring in this market is to become a river pilot or (especially) a harbor pilot. The money is VERY good (top pay for a harbor pilot can go to ~$300K), but the jobs are REALLY difficult to break into, as there is a guild that limits numbers. http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/53-5021.03

The various certifications are tested by the US Coast Guard, and there is quite a lot on their website about how to get started getting certified, including lists of trade schools: http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/new-begin.htm

This is one of those fields where you can still really work your way up if you've got determination, most people still start out as deckhands. Of course, being a deckhand is incredibly physical and difficult work; you have to really have a plan to want to do this long-term.

PS: Here's a nice little article about what it's like to be a river pilot in Louisiana and how the career path goes: http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index_pantheon.ssf?/newsstory/04basics.html
If he wants to be a pilot going into an apprenticeship program is the way to go, because it can take up to 14 years to get fully certified.

 

[horseshowmom]

Here's a link for you to start at:

http://www.riverbarge.com/employ/employindex.asp

ETA, opps I see he wants a barge job. This link is for excursions.

Thanks anyway!

Dennis99ss sent me some promising prospects, so I've at least I've got some information for the parent!