Spent three weeks on a tugboat, ask me anything

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PlanetJosh

Golden Member
May 6, 2013
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Whenever I hear about a tugboat adventure I think of the Benjamin Button movie with the odd character on the tug. So where there any unusual people on board like way old for being on a tug or someone unusual for whatever reason other than the sole woman on board which was mentioned earlier?
 
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Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
197
106
Whenever I hear about a tugboat adventure I think of the Benjamin Button movie with the odd character on the tug. So where there any unusual people on board like way old for being on a tug or someone unusual for whatever reason other than the sole woman on board which was mentioned earlier?

Nothing really "odd" per say. But I did see a common characteristic about the people I worked with.

A lot of times there would be two tugboats helping align the barges so we could tie them off.

Just about everyone I worked with gave me the impression they were smart hard working people who had fallen through the cracks of society. For some reason they did not go to college, but were smart enough to realize they can make 6 figures in the tug industry. When given the chance and a goal to work towards they gave it their all.

One thing I really like about the job if you needed help chances are someone would jump in and help you.

In an office, people would barely go out of there way to help you.

On the water, everyone is a team player.
 
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Denly

Golden Member
May 14, 2011
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How you deal with seasick? I normally do not have issue but inside the boat on a rough day might make me sick.

Are you on the 20-35 age group or 35+?
 

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
197
106
How you deal with seasick? I normally do not have issue but inside the boat on a rough day might make me sick.

Are you on the 20-35 age group or 35+?

I am 46 years old.

Seasickness has not been an issue. We stay in the rivers, bays and inter-coastal waterway.