rxpx
Oiler (New Member)
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Post by rxpx on Nov 2, 2015 10:17:22 GMT -8
Hello, Long time lurker here but I've never posted. Anyways, I'm looking for a career in the marine industry here in the Lower mainland or the Island. I've been boating on the local waters since I was a kid (I'm 23 now) and my dream job has always been a Seaspan or Pilot boat captain. I'm looking for people in the industry to guide me in a path to get to these jobs. I've looked at all the BCIT Marine programs like the Marine Engineering and Nautical Sciences programs but I have heard that these are more geared to jobs where you have to go overseas for 3 months at a time. Most students of those programs end up with Cruise ship companies on the other side of the world. That would be nice but I'd like to stay local. If anyone has had experience locally with marine programs that I should be taking please post here. Thank you!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2015 12:07:25 GMT -8
Hello, Long time lurker here but I've never posted. Anyways, I'm looking for a career in the marine industry here in the Lower mainland or the Island. I've been boating on the local waters since I was a kid (I'm 23 now) and my dream job has always been a Seaspan or Pilot boat captain. I'm looking for people in the industry to guide me in a path to get to these jobs. I've looked at all the BCIT Marine programs like the Marine Engineering and Nautical Sciences programs but I have heard that these are more geared to jobs where you have to go overseas for 3 months at a time. Most students of those programs end up with Cruise ship companies on the other side of the world. That would be nice but I'd like to stay local. If anyone has had experience locally with marine programs that I should be taking please post here. Thank you! Welcome here... The majority of this post IS about nautical sciences, as I do have experience in the program, and many graduates are employed with Canadian companies. Myself and a few other members are actually past and present Nautical Sciences students. As for seatime as a cadet, you will have to go to sea for at least three months at a time. However, it is indeed a sacrifice and many graduates are actually employed locally (Seaspan and BCFS are two examples). As a first year student, I can almost guarantee that you'll get a work term on the Great Lakes/Newfoundland, and be out for 3-4 months. Companies usually have a ~140 day limit of working onboard (Algoma, anyways), to keep your sanity. Regarding NS at BCIT, you absolutely need to have some kind of related experience, and half decent ("B") marks in Math 12, and Physics 11. While Physics is only recommended, I would stress having AT LEAST having Phys. 11. Some of my classmates lived through hell on earth during the Physics courses so far, which are super compressed. Roughly 40 get interviewed each year (if you submit all the required documents, you get an interview), and 16 people get accepted. I have no idea where I ranked, but myself and two others made it into the program straight outta high school. The interview lasts about 2.5 hours, and the questions are geared towards handling life on a ship, different crew nationalities etc. But, if you absolutely want to stay local during your training, then the Bridge Watch Program will start you off going up the hawse pipe. Since you need five months of seatime to get your BWR, it's a lot easier to do the course first, which gives you three free months of seatime. But, this path to becoming an Officer requires 1024 days of seatime, and additional courses before writing your Watchkeeping Mate's exams. The Cadet program only requires 360 days (despite being away for extended lengths of time), and includes all the required courses. In any case, if you're set on going to the BCIT Marine Campus, I would suggest making an appointment to chat with Jeff Otto, Co-op coordinator, if you haven't already. He would be able to answer any questions you might have, and help you make a decision with your career path. Cheers! |
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Nick
Voyager 
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Nov 3, 2015 14:44:00 GMT -8
Hello, Long time lurker here but I've never posted. Anyways, I'm looking for a career in the marine industry here in the Lower mainland or the Island. I've been boating on the local waters since I was a kid (I'm 23 now) and my dream job has always been a Seaspan or Pilot boat captain. I'm looking for people in the industry to guide me in a path to get to these jobs. I've looked at all the BCIT Marine programs like the Marine Engineering and Nautical Sciences programs but I have heard that these are more geared to jobs where you have to go overseas for 3 months at a time. Most students of those programs end up with Cruise ship companies on the other side of the world. That would be nice but I'd like to stay local. If anyone has had experience locally with marine programs that I should be taking please post here. Thank you! Glad to see more interest in the marine industry. Worldwide, the industry is hurting for ticketed officers, so you're interested at a good time. I'm a recent graduate of the Canadian Coast Guard College in Nova Scotia. I originally applied for and interviewed with BCIT as well as CCGC, but since CCGC is a fully paid program with guaranteed employment, I chose that program. There are two ways of becoming an officer (and eventually, captain). One is to go through a 3 or 4 year cadet program, (BCIT, CCGC, Marine Institute etc), upon which you graduate with a watchkeeping ticket, as well as a number of exemptions to future exams. This is the fastest way, however it does require some financial commitment and requires going to school for a significant period of time. The second way is to start off as crew, gain experience and challenge exams and tickets as you gain sea time. This is a much bigger commitment time-wise, and as IMO and TC tighten up the exam requirements, this is getting to be nearly impossible. The Transport Canada certificates of competency that allow you to work as a watchkeeping mate or engineer are recognized internationally, since they follow IMO's Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). Because of this, the sea time you need to acquire on your sea phases in order to complete the cadet program must be of a certain nature (Vessels of certain size, voyages of a minimum length etc). Working for BCF, or Seaspan for that matter, is not going to provide you with the sea time you need for Transport Canada. I'm going to take this opportunity to plug the Coast Guard. The college is in Sydney NS, and you have to do 4 years of training at the college, which includes two 8 month sea phases on board coast guard vessels. The sea phases are usually broken up so that you only spend 4 months on a particular vessel at a time. After the 4 year program you graduate with a watchkeeping mate certificate (or 4th class motor engineering), and you are contractually obligated to work for the Coast Guard for 4 years. This is a good thing though. One of the hardest things to do for a BCIT grad is land that first job, which will give you the ability to gain more sea time and allow you to get higher tickets (chief mate etc). With CG, that's done for you. If you play your cards right, it's possible to have your chief mate's ticket by the end of your 4 year contract, which makes you MUCH more employable to other companies such as Seaspan or BCF. Also, you will have an unrestricted ticket due to the type of sea time you have acquired. Anyway, hope this helps. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2015 16:26:07 GMT -8
The Transport Canada certificates of competency that allow you to work as a watchkeeping mate or engineer are recognized internationally, since they follow IMO's Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). Because of this, the sea time you need to acquire on your sea phases in order to complete the cadet program must be of a certain nature (Vessels of certain size, voyages of a minimum length etc). Working for BCF, or Seaspan for that matter, is not going to provide you with the sea time you need for Transport Canada. Isn't the minimum Near Coastal II? That would make all the Lower Mainland-Vancouver Island routes, and routes 9 & 17 eligible. And of course the Northern Routes, which actually do take on a few BCIT cadets each year. |
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Nov 3, 2015 19:33:39 GMT -8
The Transport Canada certificates of competency that allow you to work as a watchkeeping mate or engineer are recognized internationally, since they follow IMO's Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). Because of this, the sea time you need to acquire on your sea phases in order to complete the cadet program must be of a certain nature (Vessels of certain size, voyages of a minimum length etc). Working for BCF, or Seaspan for that matter, is not going to provide you with the sea time you need for Transport Canada. Isn't the minimum Near Coastal II? That would make all the Lower Mainland-Vancouver Island routes, and routes 9 & 17 eligible. And of course the Northern Routes, which actually do take on a few BCIT cadets each year. Possibly. I wasn't aware of them accepting class II, I thought it had to be class I or unlimited. In any case, you would be shooting yourself in the foot since you would be limiting the type of ticket you would be eligible to receive. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2015 20:48:02 GMT -8
Isn't the minimum Near Coastal II? That would make all the Lower Mainland-Vancouver Island routes, and routes 9 & 17 eligible. And of course the Northern Routes, which actually do take on a few BCIT cadets each year. Possibly. I wasn't aware of them accepting class II, I thought it had to be class I or unlimited. In any case, you would be shooting yourself in the foot since you would be limiting the type of ticket you would be eligible to receive. As for Cadet seatime, it does not matter whether your ship travels NC I, II or unlimited voyages. That said, it would be slow to acquire seatime going up the ladder (i.e. starting off as a deckhand) with BCF, because you're working 8 days on, 4 days off versus being on a cargo/cruise ship 24/7. |
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Post by yak on Nov 4, 2015 14:31:02 GMT -8
Just going to chime in here...
I am a BCIT Nautical Science alumni who is currently working as a Mate for BC Ferries. You are right that under such a program you'd probably have to accrue seatime either overseas or at least on the east coast or the great lakes (I did my cadet time with Canada Steamship Lines). The longest period of time I spent out at once was 8 months (though that was against CSL's policy I managed to slip under the radar). That said, BCF has started taking cadets since I finished BCIT's program and TC is recognizing at least some seatime completed that way.
I would suggest that accruing seatime on the Great Lakes is quite applicable to what you'd like to do on this coast - a lot of it is pilotage and you are a lot more autonomous in your watch than on some deep sea vessels. I'd also suggest that if you go this route it is worth continuing to accrue seatime (360 days as a Watchkeeping Mate) where ever it is most efficient to until you can sit your Chief Mate's orals. The higher ticket opens up a lot of doors in places like BCF.
I also concur with the other poster that if you are interested in the Nautical Science program at BCIT then Jeff Otto is the person to get in touch with.
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tchalla
Oiler (New Member)
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Post by tchalla on Nov 8, 2015 14:37:29 GMT -8
Yak or anyone else,
Are many routes are TC defined as "sheltered waters"voyages?
Thanks.
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Post by yak on Nov 8, 2015 16:27:50 GMT -8
Yak or anyone else, Are many routes are TC defined as "sheltered waters"voyages? Thanks. Yes, many routes are "Sheltered Waters" and are actually written into the Vessel Certificates Regulations as recognized "sheltered water voyages for a ferry": Scheldule 2
That said though, many other BC Ferry routes fall into more advanced classifications of voyage. For example, any of the routes crossing the Strait of Georgia count as Near Coastal 2 time and are sufficient for a Watchkeeping Mate or for a "Near Coastal" Chief Mate or Master license. BC Ferries has actually earmarked some positions on these boats as "Sea Time Accrual" jobs that they place employees in to gain seatime for their higher tickets. |
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tchalla
Oiler (New Member)
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Post by tchalla on Nov 8, 2015 23:00:48 GMT -8
Thanks for the info Yak. Any idea what routes and GT these new ICF vessels will be?
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Nov 23, 2015 20:59:43 GMT -8
does anyone know what a commercial servives driver is at BCF?? I was just browsing jobs and took a look at the application and that was on there which I havent seen before. Would that be the drop trailer services??? Also does anyone know what the BC Ferries building is on Henry Ave in Sidney??? It says Terminal Maintenance South. There is also warehouse postions on the application. Where would those jobs be?? Just wondering!
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Post by yak on Nov 25, 2015 9:49:25 GMT -8
Thanks for the info Yak. Any idea what routes and GT these new ICF vessels will be? Sorry I am responding to this so late, I didn't see the post until now. The 3 new intermediate ferries are planned to replace the two Nanaimo Class ships. Two are earmarked to run the Little River-Westview route and the Long Harbour-Tsawwassen/Gulf Islands route (both of these routes are acceptable to TC for seatime). The third is envisioned as a relief vessel that supplements the other two during busy periods and during refit - though I don't know if BCF has decided exactly how to integrate it. As far as GT goes I am not 100% sure of the exact number but it will be far in excess of the minimum to earn seatime for bigger tickets. |
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Post by routeone on Dec 21, 2015 15:33:41 GMT -8
You have to think carefully what your goals are for this industry.
That means you need to have as much information as possible from the beginning to make the right choice, for you.
If you want to work locally after completing your education, regardless of length, I strongly advise against the Coast Guard College in NS or BCIT's Nautical Sciences program. While completing a 4 year program for either CCG or BCIT as a cadet will provide your certificates at a much earlier time, neither job will keep you local in those 4 years.
As a Cadet, you will have a very difficult time finding employment for Seaspan or any other Tug company in Vancouver.
While it is possible, expect to work for at least 3 years as a deckhand before possibly working relief as a Mate.
For any of the intermodal's such as Carrier Princess, there are many Deckhands with seniority awaiting steady Mates work.
Likewise, Established Mates are waiting in kind for Masters time.
Even in our Fleet, many will assure you success does not come overnight. Cadet's generally are frowned upon.
While these posts are helpful, my best advise to write a list of companies down that you want to hopefully work for.
Call them up and ask if you can do a volunteer shift. The key to this entire industry is networking and connections.
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Post by yak on Dec 21, 2015 19:38:55 GMT -8
I have just a small disagreement with routeone...
I know a number of people who are moving along well in their careers on this coast who began in Cadet programs. Of my cohort that completed BCIT's program I know of one person working with Seaspan, one with BC Ferries (myself), two with the Coast Guard and two others with Shearwater - all in Licensed positions. In addition, I know of several alumni who graduated before or after me that have successfully made the jump back to this coast. It is true that cadet time will likely be earned elsewhere; however, the outside perspective that is brought back with you isn't necessarily a disadvantage.
Cadets being "frowned upon" is only a point of view held by some as I have encountered many decision makers who appreciate the formal education component of a structured program. Also, in my experience, the average age of program alumni working as Officers is lower than those who came up through the hawse pipe.
All that being said, I don't disagree with the benefits of learning on the job or making local connections early. Many of the best Captains and Mates I have worked with began as deckhands on the same ships that they are in charge of now. I wouldn't imply that there is anything wrong with routeone's suggestion that a prospective employee look at getting a foot in the door at the ground level. What I would say is that that is only one path and that in my experience going the route of formal training has proven to be at least equally beneficial to pursuing a career in BC.
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Post by routeone on Dec 29, 2015 14:08:08 GMT -8
A very good reply and a perfect contrast to my own opinion and experience.
The biggest point I can make is not to take anyone's word as to the future and employment prospects.
This is true for Seagoing, MBA's, Pharma, and Engineering Civil and Law. I can speak to all of those; whom I have personal friends whom all have made early career successes.
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