deckhand

director of recruiting

captain

Kirby Inland Marine

VTC: Dispatch. Worked 7on/7off 4pm-4am. Entered boat logs into computer using a math code. At each "boat call" I had to enter every log (est over 100) into computer, then before 8am a report had to print/distribute throughout the office. There were other daily reports that had to be out via emails, etc. as well. The demenor of the dispatchers were very professional and "protective" of felloIw female employees. Working at night, they made sure we were safe walking to car, etc. The schedule was great and I really enjoyed working different type of hours.
Revenue billing: With the experince of traffic, before making invoices, I would check traffic, check with the contract, and with this information I would prepare a rough draft for the invoice. At which time I would present the invoice to the sales manager that I reported to and he would either approve or would instruct me further for changes that may be needed. Knowledge of the contract were vital and knowing when demurrage (the clock) would be on or off. For "day-rate" contracts, the time would start at the beginning of the trip and will run until the next trip. Any downtime would be referred to the contract. The enviroment of the "bullpen" where we worked was very professional and the ladies/gents all got along very well. Bunker billing was also my account. The "bunker" is actually like a gas station on the water. We would take large ships from all over the world and we would fill them up. We would also lighter fuel from the ships as well.

Kirby is the largest inland tank barge operator in the U.S. with over 800 tank barges and over 200 boats in service.  We serve customers across the country and are based in Houston, TX with offices in New York, Hawaii, Louisiana and Florida. The dispatchers work a 7 days on, 7 days off rotational schedule for 12 hours each day. The hours are long and the pay isn't the best but this company will teach you everything you want to learn about the inland tank barge business.  There are many opportunities for advancement and a wealth of experience from which to learn but this is by no means an easy job.  The hardest part of the job is learning the program used for monitoring vessels and mastery of it can take years. The office has a professional but not stuffy feel and management does their best to keep everyone abreast of changes through meetings and conferences. Your co-workers will be the best part about the job as everyone shares a desire to succeed and help each other.

Everyday struggle when you're a deckhand. They will try every second they get to belittle you as if they didn't start out somewhere. Some of them went to pilot school and advanced faster but I started on the deck and I was miserable everyday. A typical day at work would be for me to wake up prepare coffee and breakfast for the rest of the crew then sweep/mop from the wheelhouse to the galley. Then check the fuel levels and engine filters to see if they needed changing.  If we got orders we'd tank, if we didn't we'd chip the old paint off the paint, put new coats on it, in the heat/cold all weather conditions. Prepare lunch, clean restrooms, the most enjoyable part of the job was my off time. I was 6 hours on 6 hours off. The second most enojoyable part was the food. Everyone set together and made a grocery list that we would have delivered to us.

This job is one of those job you really don't know is out there until you actually work there. Good company only downside is you are gone alot. My schedule is 20 days on the boat and 10 days off When you are on boat you stay on the entire 20 days so the crew becomes your second family and the boat your second home. I typically work 7 hours on 5 hours off every day. I have learned alot with this job mostly how to manage time, training and paperwork..lots of paperwork...everything as to be documented..from the loads to the grocery order...the boats get audited on a regular basis so everything has to be in order. I have enjoyed my job you don't sit in one place too long you move around alot but the hardest part of my job is being away from my family.

For a single man or woman, this is an amazing company to work with. The starting pay I'd fair, with the opportunity to work your way up the ladder quickly. This company has helped me grow tremendously in skill and professionalism. Why I say it is a great job for a single man is because the hours and days on can take a toll on family life. You will work holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, the list goes on. It isn't impossible to get off the boat for some of these occasions but it can be tough. Other than that, Kirby really is a great company to work for with a high standard for excellence.

I have been here a few years and watched as this company has made more and more money;meanwhile cutting back from the front line employees.Pensions were cut but yet the company has the cash money to acquire other companies for huge cash sums. Traditionally we would receive a raise every year but for the last three years we have received no raises ,even with the economy booming right now in this industry no raises.People are disgruntled and are jumping ship because there is nothing that Kirby offers different from any other towboat company. Management is either out of touch or really doesn't care because there is always a endless Stream of applicants to sacrifice to the gods.

This job isn't for everyone. (especially someone with a family) There are several job schedules (most of which require you to work inland waterway....On a boat) they have certain boats that are considered a "day for day" boat. Essentially, however many days you work out on the boat; equals the amount of days off you get. (14/14, 20/20, 30/30)  Most common schedules are (20/10- 20 days on, 10 days off; 28/14-28days on, 14 days off)  THis job offers excellent benefits and rapid advancement for those that are motivated. You start off making peanuts (120 daily as of 2012) but...within a year you could be making over 50k. w/in 1.5 yrs 65k (depending on rotation and if you choose to "ride over") Basically, work on your off days. 

My General day on the boat consist  of working on the front watch with the boat captain, @ 0500 hr .  0700 start my routine general clean up , then i start prep-in lunch for the crew which is to be ready at 1200 hr .  once im  done prep in the food i go down to the engine room and do my morning engine room ck  which consist of ck engine oil, generators ,leaks, fuel and water levels.  Then once that is done i pretty much wash up and ck on lunch  and ck out my barges  make sure things are in working order as planed . All this if im not called to dock. I love my job it fun adventures rewarding. Good crew plenty of experience.

Work-life balance
This company does take family into consideration, but it is something that has to be earned. The company is not for the weak of heart, be ready for a real job with GREAT responsibility.

Pay & benefits
You work, you will be paid generously

Job security and advancement
Advancement is up to

Management
No company is perfect when it comes to management, but it helps when the employees also speak out to change what is wrong

Culture
Very fair

Overall
Put in the work& time and you be rewarded with a very good home life. This company gives the availability to excel within and plenty of time off to have great home life.

Starting a shift for Kirby was gathering with the regular Vopak employees for safety meetings, then going out to designated location tho load tank trucks.  I learned how to fill out orders for product transfer, load and unload, and gauging storage tanks.  Hardest part of the job was the drive out.  Most enjoyable part of the job was knowing that if my work ethic and production was great, I had that chance for a full time position.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Deckhand 1 salary reported	$124 per day
Director of recruiting 1 salary reported	$138,008 per year
Captain 1 salary reported	$145,000 per year

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