What kind of job do you have

United States
September 27, 2008 11:00am CST
I am a merchant marine and I travel all over the world delivering goods from one country to another. that largest ship that I have ever worked on was 977 feet long and 128 feet wide and weighs in at around 48,000 tonnes. we had a crew of 16. imagine that. usually i work 120 days straight then take off 60 days. It doesnt make for a good home life though. I have lost a wife and multiple girlfriends. but hopefully i will be able to retire from it within the next 10 years. I have been sailing for 23 years now and its my life I am getting ready to ship out to boston mass next month to catch a ship heading to the persian gulf enjoy your weekend
1 person likes this
4 responses
• India
27 Sep 08
I think the merchant marine job is awful and one has to fight with the water all around. Though earning is more and one is satisfied but the family life is disturbed all the way. I am an Corporate manager stationery duty and some time touring to the capital. I am happy when ever I have to go out for days I keep my family with me. If you are given this type of job how you will feel please comment and have a nice day.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Sep 08
your job in my opinion would have been nice to have if i had started it younger, but since i have been sailing pretty much my whole adult life. i have salt water in my blood. and it is had to stay in one place more than a couple of months without getting to itchy to move. i do have a home base. in tennessee. which sometimes just makes it a relief when i see it after being gone for 4 months or more. thanks for your input
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• United States
28 Sep 08
Tennessee has some beautiful scenery of it's own. Stayed in a cabin in the Smokey Mountains a couple of years ago, for a week, it was awesome.
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• United States
28 Sep 08
yes it is. i love it there. i have a mobile home sitting on about 2 acres on a hill, i have woods 10 ft from the edge of my deck and to go to my mailbox is about an 800 ft walk to it. there is also a creek that runs thru the bottom of the hill. it is so peacefull there sometimes i just want to stay
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@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
28 Sep 08
Sounds like interesting work, and I'm sure you have seen some interesting places. I can see how that wouldn't be a good job for having a relationship in, then again it just takes the right person that could live with you being gone that much of the time. I work for the forestry service, wildland firefighter, started out with a volunteer fire dept in Texas, received my training through the Texas Forestry Service, and fell in love with being on the front line. Although, I'm thinking of taking a different position, would still do basically the same work I do now, but minus the firefighting, that's not something you can do forever.
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• United States
28 Sep 08
thats is an awesome job to have. i might have liked that better. when i was a kid a couple who were freinds of my fathers were forest rangers and i always wanted to be one. good luck and thanks for the comments
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• United States
27 Sep 08
Wow it sounds like you have a schedule that is all over. I admire you and want to thank you for everything you have done for us. I am sorry for the losses that you have encountered and hope that you find happiness again. As for me, currently, I am a medical biller and am taking night classes so that I can achive my masters in clinical psychology. I want to become a psychologist and be able to help others. I feel that is one of the reasons that we are here is to help others out during their time of need. I have quite a bit of schooling left, but once I'm done, the reward is knowing that now I can finally do what I was meant to do. You have a good weekend as well and hope everything works out for you. Tag me as a friend if you want to remain in contact.
• United States
27 Sep 08
well i want to say good luck in your persuit to being a psychologist. as for me i am heading off to the middle east on my next trip. in all of my travels i have actually visited all 7 continents and almost 50 countries. and i have been to almost all the states. thanks for your input
@kaguvkov (1305)
• Davao, Philippines
28 Sep 08
AS of now I don't have a full time work. I work only in the internet cafe and still trying to finished my education. Your life as a merchant is very exciting though as you said you lost your wife maybe because of your work.
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• United States
28 Sep 08
well good luck trying to find that job. as for work and my marrage, i believe you are correct, she got used to me being gone. i guess it was like a free check when i was gone, she decided to take "love thy neighbor" literally.