Merchant Mariner (Sailor) Reveals the Secrets of Working on Massive Cargo Ships | Job Deep Dive
Dean Schrantz describes the intense reality of life at sea as a merchant mariner (sailor) on container ships, Ro-Ros, cable ships, and oil tankers. This specific career path offers high pay and global travel for those seeking a unique professional job. Dean details the training and grit required.
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:21 Global transport and the reach of the job
3:09 A clean slate for a bumpy career
4:12 The path through the union
6:20 The heavy price of entry
12:13 The burden of being the first responder
13:37 The isolation of the 120 day contract
15:52 The risk of the snapping line
23:04 The fear of the ship blacking out
26:40 The boredom of the cable watch
31:44 The cynical reality of Port-au-Prince
34:12 The truth of the jet fuel delivery
35:46 The joy of the ocean's beauty
37:42 Rivalry with the Navy
42:04 The pain of a captain's cowardice
44:52 The speed of the lifeboat escape
49:02 The crisis of the mariner shortage
55:18 The reality of the paycheck
1:00:46 The risk of stowaways
1:01:57 The system of tying down the steel
1:05:41 The strain of tight quarters
1:10:20 Hard truths for the next generation
1:21:11 The freedom to live anywhere
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