“Deckhand”

BY MIRANDA GERMAC

A year after he graduated from high school, he flew to Louisiana to begin training on tugboats with his father. His father, being the captain of the boat, was able to help him get into the field. This career doesn’t require schooling, but it does take many years of training, travel, and dedication. His end goal is to become an engineer on cargo ships, but for now, he lives on a tugboat and works on ships.

Living on this boat a month at a time isn’t the easiest thing I’ve done. I sleep in a tiny box, and my bed feels like it’s made of cardboard. I am assigned jobs throughout the night, or early in the morning, or even on holidays. Being in this field so young has taught me many things, such as how to live independently and stay motivated working every day. 

However, I’m the youngest person employed at the company. When I first got hired, many of the older workers and captains treated me poorly because I was young and inexperienced. I’ve adjusted better now since it’s been a year, but when I’m gone for important events, I feel like I’m missing out. This past year, I missed Christmas morning, Thanksgiving dinner, my sister’s graduation, and the birth of my niece.

With those negatives come many positives in my career. I enjoy travelling the world and exploring new places, and my job allows me to do so. Since my father is in the same profession, I have spent a lot of time with him, and it has made me realize how different I want my life to be in the long run. Even though my job is demanding, I find ways to have a good family/work balance. If I end up having a family myself, I will find a way to have a flexible schedule. I don’t want to end up like my negligent father.