TANKERMAN CAREER ACADEMY Frequently
Asked Questions
What
training and credentials are required to become a tankerman? A
Merchant Mariner's Credential (MMC) is the credential needed to be a tankerman.
To obtain a MMC, the Coast Guard requires that you receive extensive,
documented, hands-on training in, and demonstrate competency to, conduct
transfer operations. You must also complete Coast Guard-approved courses in
cargo handling and tank barge firefighting. Furthermore, only a qualified
company, such as SGS Petroleum Service Corporation, can formally nominate an
applicant for a MMC.
How much is
the tuition? Tuition
is $12,990. Tuition can be financed or you can pay it with your own funds, but
it must be paid in full at the beginning of the session.
How can I
get the money to pay for my tuition? If
you do not have the money available, you may qualify for a student loan from a
private lending institution. Specific information regarding available student
loans is provided at TCA Information Sessions.
What do I need to bring with me to the TCA Information Session? Bring a pen and paper to take notes.
What type of
work schedule is offered? Most
of our tankermen work on an "on-call" basis. Those who are on call work for a
stretch of six days and then they are off for three days. During their six work days,
our tankermen are dispatched for work around-the-clock in a "rotation" order. Students
may expect to train for at least 40 hours each payroll week; however, they may
end up working more than 40 hours/week. Many tankermen frequently work 50-hour
weeks. However, no amount of overtime is guaranteed.
How is the
training program structured? From
new employee orientation until the employee obtains his/her MMC from the Coast
Guard, the program lasts approximately four months. During those four months, the
student will undergo a few weeks of classroom training with the balance being
hands-on training. The student will also be paid $12/hour during this period,
plus mileage. The
first three days of school will be spent in various orientations, followed by five days
of on-the-job training where the student works with a tankerman instructor on
actual cargo transfer operations, experiencing first-hand what tankering work
is all about, so that he/she can make the most informed decision about
continuing in the program. The cargo handling course will be interspersed
throughout a 60-day period of on-the-job training, until complete, and will be
conducted at one of PSC's training centers.
Students
that continue will be paired with a tankerman instructor with whom they will
begin training on a "6 & 3" schedule. After the student completes 60 days
of hands-on training, SGS Petroleum Service Corporation will assist the student
with applying to the Coast Guard to obtain a MMC.
Provided
there are no problems discovered by the Coast Guard in the application process,
the student will be classified as a "Level I Tankerman" upon success graduation
from the training program and receipt
of his/her MMC from the Coast Guard.
How often does SGS
Petroleum Service Corporation run the training program? It
depends on the company's need for tankermen. At a maximum, the program will run three times/year.
How many
applicants will be accepted for each training program? It
depends on the company's needs in each geographic area at the time of
enrollment. The number of students in Pasadena, TX, and Louisiana is normally larger
than the number of students in Port Arthur or Corpus Christi, TX.
I have been convicted of a felony. Will this affect my ability to be accepted into the training program? It
depends on the type of felony and when you were convicted. There are a number of convictions that would disqualify you from receiving a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC). Click here to view more information on TWIC eligibility requirements.
The U.S. Coast Guard will also conduct a criminal background check as part of the application process for a Merchant Mariner's Credential (MMC), which is required for work as a tankerman. Click here to learn more about how the Coast Guard evaluates applicants who have criminal convictions. For more information, please call the National Maritime Helpdesk at 1-888-427-5662.
Can I pre-enroll for a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC)? You can pre-enroll via the TWIC website at https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/TWICWebApp/ or by calling 1-866-347-8942.