Wolfie working on the barges could be the best thing for getting yourself set up for life for you. Really good pay and free room and board for 1/2 the year (going by the 28 on &28 off ) and a chance to advance all the way to the wheelhouse if so inclined. With that amount of time off you could live anywhere you wanted and still be within driving distance of home when you get your days off. Same with going back to work. You're a single, smart young man and you could really save some money to help you get ahead in life. PM some of the guys on here that work on the rivers and I'm sure they could get you started in the right direction.

Best of Luck.

I have a cousin who is the captain of one in the Gulf currently 23 on 23 off approximately 7 man crew.

the money can be good , lot of them are former Navy , my cousin did 20 in the Navy retired a Chief petty officer.

Hay to give y'all a little update , ends up my uncle is a tankerman and he's been helping me out as far as advice and what not. Still gotta get my TWIC but he just told me his company started hiring again and it's $140 per day staring out . 2 on 1 off

I was a licensed tankerman early in my career and held a Merchant Marine Document that authorized me to transfer hazardous liquid cargos from any waterway under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard. I also held a TWIC card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) after 2004.
I met the barges at the receiving or loading docks and supervised the transfer from start to finish.
You have to have at least 6 months on the job experience, be sponsored by a participating company and pass a test issued by the Coast Guard.
It was great experience and good money. I went on to terminal operations and heavy oil process manufacturing. I ended my career as a Terminal Manager.
Feel free to message me with any questions. I worked 43 years in the oil industry and am aware of most jobs available including river work.

Wolfdog what happened with the welding training? I figured you'd be doing that by now.

Also how many hours are you going to work in a day for that $140? I looked at that some years back and it was 12 hours worked in a day for $140 to $160. It figured out as a $12 - $13 an hour job. The shifts were 6 hrs on then 6 off twice a day. which I doubt I'd get used to. If you're going to use it to do more later on the river that's fine. It may be entirely different down there pay wise.

You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and you want to work. Good luck in whatever you decide.

140 for 8hrs is only $17.50
140 for 10hrs is only $14
140 for 12hrs is only $11.66

I’d be asking how many hours a day. And I know welders that won’t even roll outa bed for less that $35hr.

So from what he told me it's $140 as pay for the day. Shifts can be with 6 or 12 hours depending. Regardless still more money then I'm making lol. Plus I get away from the house for two weeks

got your foot in the door. nice. work hard. show up when your supposed to. you will see that 140 increase. 140 for a complete rookie sounds like a good start to me

Well boys got my TWIC Card in the mail today now I just gotta apply for the job

Get er Done.

Maybe make a trip to the NTA National convention in Iowa this year as a Gift to yourself.

I would be glad to Meet you and can maybe find some food and liquid refreshments to share.

Might want to start practicing walking on coals to get your feet ready for when you gotta walk the barges in the summer. Can fry eggs on them. Friend of mines dad was on em for a long time.

Nobody starts at the top but no matter what field you work in, hard work, smarts, and caring about quality will eventually get you to the top.

If you love being on the water, bargeman sounds like as good a career as any - and life has lots of forks in the road. Who knows what this adventure could lead to?

X2!

seems fun!

how much does it pay per hour?

Do you have a case for your TWIC if not consider getting one

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Hey river birch, which company do you work for? I'm at wittich bros on the sea fox, probably passed by you a few times.
Wolfdog, I'm from NC but work in NY on a tug. It's the way to go. Ten hour commute, but it's every three weeks, three on, three off. The maritime industry pays so much more up north, it's not worth scraping by down south. I'm at one of the better companies pay wise (iuoe local 25 union) but there are lots of places paying $300/day up here once you get even just a few months experience. With your welding and know how, you'd be able to get in if you shop around enough.
It's a young man's game, but since I'm a young man, I'm glad I have it. Been working since 9 pm last night and probably gonna have more work later, but for $385/day, you can take a lot of abuse. Barges are easier from what I've heard, so you may prefer that. But in this industry, always be looking for a way up, something will usually turn up! New job offers, license upgrades, etc. Whatever you do I'm sure you'll do well.

Well boys I finally got a call back ! Gotta zoom meeting with the hiring folk tomorrow morning, gonna have to drive into town to do it but hay !

Good luck to you. I hope that you do well on the interview.

Be yourself and kick butt!