Blessey Marine Services

"I started my journey with this company after seeing a video on one of their social media accounts. In the beginning everything was great and amazing. I submitted my application, got through the first and second interviews and was invited to come to their home office for an in person interview. I was informed that this would be completely at my expense. (Cost about 500 bucks between airfare, rental car, and lodging) After making it through that interview and testing phase I was asked to return for a drug test, fitness test, and USCG physical. Before going through any of this you are required to fill out pre-employment paperwork that is not gone over with you so please, please make sure you take the time to read EVERY LINE AND PARAGRAPH. Essentially if you sign on the dotted line you are committing to a minimum 90 day contract. If for whatever reason you be separate from the company during that time you will be made to pay back for all the uniforms you are issued, the boots, your personal protective gear, and all above stated testing including the personality and mechanical aptitude test. In total you will pay them back upwards of 1600 dollars if you separate from the company within 90 days. If you have read this much and still want to continue then know that their deckhand school can be equated to a week of being in prison. You are treated like an inmate for a week. You cannot leave the grounds for any reason. No food can be delivered and no visitors are allowed. If you have special dietary needs then you must find a way to bring what you need to the facility with you which can be a little more than difficult when you’re flying and dealing with TSA. You will bunk with up to 15 other people (possibly more) in a house with only three bathrooms, not anywhere near enough hot water so learn to love cold showers, and if one of the people you share a bunk room with is a dirty individual then your whole room will smell of that individual and not much will be done about it by company staff. You will clean the facility from top to bottom daily and if you don’t clean it to the standards set by the company you will be made to clean it again. If you make it through this first week and pass all the tests you will get your first boat assignment. Once you step foot on the boat you are at the beck and call of the captain, relief captain, or wheelman. The language, filth and innuendo discussed on these vessels is beyond anything I have ever experienced. The equipment is nice for the most part there is a TV in the galley but don’t expect to be able to watch anything as you are instructed to go to bed as soon as your watch is over. Most boats do have some exercise equipment but the question of its functionality will vary from boat to boat. Your bedroom will be on the bottom floor just above the engine room and is not insulated for noise very well at all. All in all I wish I had never heard of this company and had never made the horrible decision to work for them. Apply to this company after doing your homework and research."

"Great place to work. A lot of really good people."

"Nice website. Great experience navigating upon finding the employment section. Hope I get the job, I'm going to love it."

"I don’t personally work for this company but my brother does and only for a short period time. When you read their Mission Statement it says a lot about their core values. While my brother is in ICU for a medical emergency, Blessey has gone above and beyond to ensure he and his family is taken care of. We’ve heard from multiple people within the company and I am blown away by their empathy and willingness to help. I read the below from their website and I couldn’t agree more, they truly care. "What makes Blessey a different kind of company is that they really have an interest in you as a person – you are not treated as a number. They care about you, your family, your kids, your job, your safety. It is just a whole different ballgame compared to other companies.” Thank you Blessey, you are a true blessing to our family."

"My oldest son works for Blessey/ Excel they offer security to the family of loved ones who work for them working on the Mississippi River is a dangerous job but I am at ease knowing that he works for a company that goes by OSHA guidelines and US Costal.A GREAT Company to work for."