Shipboard Radio Officer Career With Historical ties to Ham Radio Moves Into the Modern Age

A traditional ham radio related career is still available to those who can pass the FCC Radiotelegraph Operator License test! In a strange historical quirk of the current regulatory and contractual environment, the FCC “T” license is still the only thing that is accepted by the U.S. government to convey “Radio Officer” status to a U.S. citizen. Shipboard Radio Officers don’t use Morse Code on a daily basis any longer. The job has evolved and taken on a critical role in the operation of modern shipboard communications and maintenance of all onboard electronics including navigation and automation systems.


This is a rare opportunity for a good Union job, including all the benefits and support that come with it. Candidates must have background experience with electronics troubleshooting on various systems. Must be able to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, and line drawings. Experience with automation, radio communications equipment, RADAR, and navigation systems particularly valuable. In addition to electronics maintenance and repair, job responsibilities include limited client side computer support, email configuration, good organizational skills, and radio communications.


Candidates must currently have or be able to attain:


1. U.S. Passport

2. USCG Merchant Mariner Credential, with the following endorsements:

a) Radio Officer or Electro-technical Officer

b) GMDSS Operator

c) VPDSD

d) STCW Basic Safety

3. FCC GMDSS Maintainer License

4. FCC Ships RADAR endorsement

5. STCW Medical Certificate

6. Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC)

7. DOT Drug Free Certificate


Salary averages $15K to $25K per month, including base pay, overtime, and paid vacation. Radio Officers work an average of 6 months per year, in increments of up to 120 days. In addition to salary, benefits include Defined Benefit Plan pension, Individual Retirement Account Plan, 401K Plan, Medical and Dental coverage, and all inclusive training.


Candidates should be prepared with a resume showing prior employment, experience, and references. Contact Mr. Anderson at araship@mail.com for further information.

 

Golly, I've had a second class telegraph license for 40 years, marinating in my file cabinet. Maybe I should dust it off.

 

If I were only 25 years younger. :-(

 

QUOTE:
As of October 1, 2018, the United States merchant fleet had 181 privately owned, oceangoing, self-propelled vessels of 1,000 gross register tons and above that carry cargo from port to port.

 

Nice shots of the LMSR!

 

Cool story and pics, thanks!

 

The job title should be Technician not Radio Officer.

 

Mar

Maritime tradition changes slowly.

 

Not a bad job actually. Travel the world and get $20K a month. Beats being a bartender on a cruise liner!

 

That is still one cool career

G3SEA/KH6

 

20k per month! Where do I sign up?

 

I went to sea as a deck officer for a while. It is a great life if you are single. Many marriages do not survive the time apart.

 

When I was doing merchant marine vessel and port safety and security boardings in the U.S. Coast Guard in the 1980's I saw many really neat radio rooms and bridges with amazing radio equipment and antennas.

Every once in awhile I'd find a Kenwood R-5000, R-2000 and R-1000 receiver in use.

 

Back in the early 1950s I attended the YMCA Radio Operators course for 2nd Class Telegraph license. It was the era of the Korean War and there was a shortage of radio operators so the prospect of a job was very good. I was 20 years old at the time. Eventually the US Merchant Marine went belly up due to an explosion in US insurance rates that forced ship owners to have their ships registered in foreign countries such as Panama, etc.

As time went by, radio officer jobs dropped substantially and today finding a job is very difficult especially with a foreign registered ship. The above advertisement can be very misleading and disappointing to a young lad who is drawn into it. The above requirements are stiff and I suspect that it requires self education unless there are college or independent companies that provide classes. Jobs in this field paying, as you indicated, $90,000 - 150,000 for 6 months work are most likely extremely rare and a young lad will be competing with more experienced and licensed operators...….

 

"Beats being a bartender on a cruise liner!"

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Oh... I am not so sure about that. You meet way more chicks as a bar tender ... ;-)

Just saying. K8JHR