Young Buna in the Bahamas

[Mr Quatro]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

He's not the Captain, he's Chief Mate/First Officer (one rank below Captain).

Much appreciated Sir, thank you

Sorry sometimes I read too fast

Still a gret job being first mate on his way to being a captain which I hear takes about 12 years.

Every country has it's own Merchant Marine with the ships being registered wherever they can find a country cheap enough to register.
Like your sons ship is registered in the Bahama's, right?

I found this information about the US Merchant Marine and ships registered in the USA are very expensive.
America only has about 200 ships left due to the high cost of having to pay higher wages.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/bal-te.b...g06-story.html

The largest expense onboard an American ship is the crew. Any vessel flagged in the United States must employ Americans, who demand American wages.
An able seaman on a U.S.-flagged vessel typically makes at least $40,000 a year, and officers can make $120,000 or more.
A sailor from the Philippines can make as little as $435 a month.