Entry-level positions include Ordinary Seaman and Wiper. These positions require little to no formal education past high school, with some short-term on-the-job training.

Rated positions aboard towing vessels include Able Seaman, Qualified Member of the Engineering Department (QMED) Any Rating, or Oiler. These positions can require vocational training, maritime courses, apprenticeships, and/or a combination of time on-the-job at sea.

Officer positions aboard towing vessels include Masters, Mates, and Engineers. A High School or GED equivalent is required, as well as Merchant Mariner Credentials with various endorsements based on advanced coursework through maritime academies, colleges, and/or the Coast Guard, plus long-term on-the-job training and minimum sea time.

All mariners aboard our vessels need a Merchant Mariner Credential issued from the U.S. Coast Guard and a Transportation Worker Identification Credential from the Transportation Security Administration to work on towing vessels. G&H Towing can help applicants with these licensing requirements.

Other minimum licensing requirements are:

• MASTER (MAS) – USCG Merchant Mariner Credential endorsed as Master of Towing for service on Inland Waters, near Coastal Waters, or Oceans with a valid Radar Observer (unlimited) endorsement.
• MATE (MTE) – USCG Merchant Mariner Credential endorsed as Master or Mate of Towing Vessels upon Inland Waters, near Coastal Waters, or Oceans with a valid Radar Observer (unlimited) endorsement OR endorsed as Master or Mate of Self-Propelled vessels greater than 200 Gross Register Tons (GRT) upon Inland waters with a completed Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR) for Great Lakes/Inland.
• CHIEF ENGINEER (CHE) – USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with a minimum endorsement as a National Chief Engineer (Limited) of Motor Propelled Vessels of less than 1600 Gross Register Tons (GRT) upon Near Coastal without a horsepower limitation.
• CHIEF ENGINEER (DDA) – USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with a minimum endorsement as a National Designated Duty Engineer of Motor Propelled Vessels of less than 500 Gross Register Tons (GRT) without horsepower limitation.
• ASSISTANT ENGINEER (ATE) – USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with a minimum endorsement as National Assistant Engineer 6000 HP or National Designated Duty Engineer of Motor Propelled Vessels of less than 4000 HP of less than 500 GRT or a Third Assistant Engineer of Motor Propelled Vessels.
• ABLE SEAMAN (AB) – USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with an endorsement as Able-Seaman Special, Limited, or Unlimited.
• OILER (OIL) – USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with an endorsement as QMED Any Rating, or Oiler.
• ORDINARY SEAMAN (OS) – USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with an endorsement as Ordinary Seaman (OS).
• WIPER (WIP) – USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with an endorsement as Wiper (WIP).

All crew members must possess a valid TWIC card. To learn more about TWIC certification, click here.

Master

The Master, also known as Captain, is the senior-most officer in command onboard a vessel. All members of the crew, passengers and persons onboard a vessel are subordinate to the Master. The Master is responsible for the overall performance of the vessel and the crew – the seaworthiness, safety and security, navigation, crew management and legal compliance of the vessel and crew. They must effectively implement the Company Safety, Security and Environmental policy, comply with the Towing Safety Management System (TSMS), flag state laws and regulations. The Master also must ensure that their crew is trained and is responsible for carrying out drills and instructions. Masters, or Captains, tend to be outstanding leaders, expert ship-handlers, navigators and administrators.

Mate (Officer in Charge of Navigation Watch)

A Mate is the second officer in the deck department. Onboard towing vessels, they are trained to stand at navigational watch and when doing so, serve as the Master’s representative. The Mate often serves as the officer in charge of deck operations when towing or mooring. They are responsible for inspection and repair of lifesaving, firefighting and safety equipment. They maintain navigational charts and publications and supervise the Deckhands in the performance of seamanship and deck maintenance duties. Mates also inspect and maintain towing gear, vessel lines, wire rope and pendants and other deck tackle.

Engineers

The Engineers are senior-most officer in the engine department and are responsible to the Master for the efficient operation of the engine room and machinery spaces aboard the vessel. Engineers are responsible for refueling the vessel, monitoring performance of deck and engine equipment, pumps and machinery. They routinely perform preventative maintenance to keep all the vessel equipment in tip-top shape, and they assist the Master in maintaining the vessels stability by monitoring and transferring liquid loads onboard the vessel.

All planned mechanical and electrical maintenance falls under the Engineer’s responsibility, which requires detailed records of engine parts and repairs to be kept. The Engineer is also responsible for calculating fuel, water consumption requirements and coordinating operations with shoreside engineers. When the engine room is due for inspection, the Engineer ensures that the engine room is ready for inspection.

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Able Seaman (Deckhand)

As a member of the deck department, an Able-Bodied Seaman (AB), or “experienced” deckhand, has a varied role onboard a tug. They are considered a deckhand which is knowledgeable and understanding of the way of the sea.

The Deckhand’s duties include standing watch, where they will assist the Officer in Charge of the Navigation Watch in steering the vessel. They are qualified to serve as a “lookout” and are an extra set of trained eyes in the wheelhouse. When on board towing vessels, they assist the Officer in Charge of Navigation Watch, handle and make up lines for towing and mooring. They perform general seamanship duties: splicing lines; and performing routine deck maintenance, including chipping and painting. Senior ABs who are looking to gain an Officer endorsement must also stand watch in the pilothouse. Deckhands must be capable of working on the deck in adverse weather conditions and be able to perform physical tasks.

Wiper/ Oiler (Deck Engine Utility)

Wipers, like Ordinary Seaman, are an entry level rating in the Engine Department. Onboard towing vessels, they sometimes serve as Deckhand, but when the vessel is not underway, they assist the Chief Engineer in performing maintenance on the vessel’s equipment and machinery.

An Oiler is a specialized rating which is a Qualified Member of the Engineering Department (QMED). After gaining experience and sea service aboard a vessel and passing a Coast Guard examination they are issued their Oiler endorsement, which means they have demonstrated certain competencies within the engine department. Like the Wiper, they will serve as deckhand when needed and will also assist the Chief Engineer.

Ordinary Seaman

An Ordinary Seaman (OS) is an entry level position in the deck department. This person performs similar duties to that of the Able Seaman (Deckhand). By law Ordinary Seaman can only make up a limited number of the rated deck positions aboard a vessel since they often lack requisite experience and service time. Once they have acquired the necessary sea service, they can take an examination to gain an endorsement as an Able-Bodied Seaman (AB) which leads to greater responsibility.

Credentials and Licensing:

• Transportation Worker Identification Credential
• Merchant Mariner Credential

Maritime Schools:

• Texas A&M University of Galveston
• California State University Maritime Academy
• Maine Maritime Academy
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy
• State University of New York Maritime College
• Great Lakes Maritime Academy

• The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship

• San Jacinto College