How to get a Job working on the River.

Updated
04 - 21- 08

This page is for someone wanting to get a Job of working on the River. The best thing to do is call or check out each companys web site of the are posted below. Ask if they are doing any hiring and would they please send you a employment application. You might also ask what is their work schedule like 30 day on and 30 days at home. Some crew members like to ride 45 days to make extra money. Some crew members like to arrange their work schedules around hunting season or family vacations

To Qualify for consideration you should
1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Have a valid drivers license or photo id.
3. Be able pass a drug screen and physical.
4. Be safety consciousness.
5. Willingness to be away from home for 30 days or more.
6. Ability to work as a team player.
7. Ability to work in all types of physical environments, in all types of weather conditions.
8. Have a stable work history. That means a stable work history! Not 10 jobs in 1 year.
9. Slackers and lazy people people need not apply !!!
10. If you do get a job on the River. Try and start your retirement 401-k as soon as possible say 1 % to start will work . Then every time you get a raise add another %. I have seen people get jobs on the river and blow their money on junk. I ask them if they are in any 401-k plan. They say they can't afford to get into the 401--k plan. Then I ask them how can they afford junk but can't afford to be in some type of retirement plan.

Artco / St louis line boat division will be accepting applications beginning on May 1 for the month of May only. If you have anyone wishing to apply have them call the Personnel Number at 877-492-5939, select option 1 and leave their name and address and they will send you an application packet. DO NOT CALL to speak with any office personal as they will get back with you as to your application status

The web site link to the left is for New Orleans area boats

P O Box 2889
St. Louis, MO 63111
1-877-492-5939

1701 East Market Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47131
1-812-288-0100

644 Riverview Rd.
Lakin, WV 25287
304-675-6300

1661 West Front Street
Buffalo, Iowa 52728
(563) 344-5041

1515 River oaks Rd east
Harahan, LA 70123
504-734-1156

835 Union Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
504-581-2424

2626 Broadway
Paducah, KY 42001
270-444-9611

2360 5th Street
Mandeville, LA 70471
985-692-2082

1601-A North Frontage Rd
Vicksburg, MS 39180
1-601-629-9800

13155 Grant Rd
Lemont, IL 60439
630-257-5457

379 River Street
Lemont, IL 60439
630-257-3400

One Washington Street
Paducah, KY 42003
1-800-876-2047

P O Box 598
Hebron, KY 41048
859-689-7707

P O Box 1537
Houston, TX 77251
225-201-3000

2 Port Amherst Drive
Charleston, WV 25306
304-926-1140

2097 Corporate Circle
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
573-334-8212

P O Box 20908
Tuscaloosa, AL 35402
205-349-1677

1874 Thomas Rd
Memphis, TN 38134
901-386-2644

100 Scott Street
Metropolis, IL 62960
618-524-3100

4520 Clarks River Rd.
Paducah, KY 420003
270-554-0154

486 Jack Carley Causeway
Memphis, TN 38101
901-946-1607

631 south 2nd Street
Paducah, KY 42001
270-415-9956

501 Virginia street
Paducah, KY 42003
270-443-5377

For a complete directory of barge companies on the inland river systems please visit Waterways Journal and their book the Inland River guide.

Pay scales can be different from company to company. The work schedules are also different as well. Some companys are 30 days on the boat and 30 days off the boat. Some could be 30/15 or 21/21 day schedules. Most companys are more than willing to let you work extra if there is a position open to work. . Each position depends on how fast he or she can learn their jobs.

Here is the average pays at most companys but wages are sometimes higher than this. Plus you can ride extra days to make more money.

Captains - $250 to $550 a day and in some cases higher than this.
Pilots - $210 to $480 a day and in some cases higher than this.
Chief Engineers - $230 to $390 a day.
Assistant Engineers - $150 to $240 a day and 3 to 5 years to get this position.
Mates - $ 140 to $250 a day and 3 to 6 years to get this position.
Watchmans - $135 to $190 a day and 1 to 3 years to get this position.
Deckhands - $110 to $180 a day and 3 trips to one year to get this position.
Cooks - $175 a day.

Most companys have medical insurance, 401-k plans, dental insurance and a number of other benefits.

These are some of the items that you might need if you are catching a boat. It's better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.

5 or 6 pair of of blue jeans or old work pants.
6 to 8 work shirts.
6 to 8 pair of socks.
6 to 8 pair of under ware.
1 or 2 pair of steel toe work boots.
Pocket knife
1 or 2 ball-cap style hats.
A extra belt, you may need it..
Personal items like-
Shaving equipment, shampoo, toothbrush, comb or a hair brush, deodorant, foot powder, nail clippers.
Writing paper and stamps.
A little extra cash for getting items at a boat store.
Reading material if you like
Some people bring their own personal laptops.
If you smoke or dip you might want to bring enough for 30 days

Some if not all companys supply you with work glove.

Winter time -
Carrhartts are the best type of coveralls to use on the river. They cost a little more but well worth every penny on those cold nights.
2 to 3 sweat shirts
2 to 3 pull over sock hats.

It's best to carry you winter clothes from mid september to end of april. There have been one or two times over the years that I have used a sweatshirt in mid-july on the upper mississippi river.
 

All boats have a washer, dryer, cleaning supplies to do your laundry.

And above all else to remember is to be safe at all times.