When you work for a Saltchuk company, the job means something. Our vessels deliver heating fuel to villages that can’t be reached by road. We move the goods that stock shelves across Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. We crew ships for the Military Sealift Command, transport critical energy, and keep commerce flowing through some of the busiest ports in the country. This isn’t abstract logistics—it’s work that communities count on, every day.
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Do work that matters.
How Owen Brown found his calling on Puget Sound tugs
"I knew before going to school that the limited tonnage industry was where I wanted to be. I liked the smaller crews, more hands-on work and the ability to go to places larger ships couldn’t... I also knew that Foss was the company I wanted to work for. I appreciated their deep Washington roots as well as their devotion to fostering a cohesive and functional safety culture."
Owen Brown
Mass Maritime Cadet Finds Her Place in OSG’s Tanker Fleet
"I told him (the recruiter) about my interest in tankers and why I wanted to work on them. He explained the work rotations and the opportunities, including international routes," she said. "Something clicked. It felt right."
Madison Selby
What Do Our Cadets Have to Say About Their Experience at Saltchuk Companies?
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Q: What was your path to maritime?A: My passion for ships started with my mom — she was watching Titanic, and I was hooked. I researched everything: the Titanic class, her sister ships, Cunard liners, warships. My uncle served in the Coast Guard for 20 years, and because of him I fell in love with the service at a young age. I sailed on the tall ship USCGC Eagle three times before I graduated middle school.
My goal was the Coast Guard Academy, but my mom pushed me to have a backup plan. When we visited Massachusetts Maritime Academy, the training ship Kennedy wasn’t even there and campus was empty for break. One student gave us a private tour. I fell in love immediately. I was the first in my family to attend a maritime academy.
Q: What’s your experience at Mass Maritime been like?
A: The first two years at the academy were rough, but during my freshman year cruise, I met a few friends who became really important to me. They helped ground me and pushed me to get on my feet. By junior year, my mindset was locked in.
Q: What was it like receiving the Women’s Offshore Foundation scholarship?
A: It left me speechless. My dad retired before COVID and my mom became the main provider. Both of my parents have sacrificed so much to give me this education. When I told my parents, the looks on their faces are moments I’ll never forget. They were beyond thrilled, and it gave me a huge boost of confidence.
Q: Why did you decide to sail as a cadet with OSG?
A: I’ve always been fascinated by tankers. Growing up, my dad and I would drive over the Key Bridge in Baltimore, and I’d look to see what ships were in port and whether any were tankers. At the career fair, I spoke with David Shevlin, who was representing OSG. Something clicked. I told him about my interest in tankers, and he explained the work rotations and opportunities, including international routes. It felt right.
Weeks went by and I assumed billets had been filled. Then Career Services asked me to come to their office. I ran there faster than I ever have. That’s where I learned I’d been selected to sail with OSG for the winter.
Q: What was it like stepping aboard the Overseas Cascade?
A: My time on the Cascade was incredible. That ship helped me build confidence, speak up, and stand my ground. I was the only female on board, and I was initially worried about being treated differently. I made it clear I wanted to be treated the same as everyone else, and that’s exactly what happened. I was trusted, involved, and formed strong bonds with the crew. It felt like a third family.
Q: What’s your advice for young women considering a maritime career?
A: Confidence is the most important thing to develop, knowing your worth and your potential. I learned to take constructive criticism without embarrassment, which takes courage, especially as the only woman on board. I felt comfortable asking questions, even when I didn’t know the answer. These aren’t just coworkers; they become family. Growth takes time, and that’s how you build yourself into who you’re meant to be.
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Q: How did you become interested in working on boats?
A: Every summer growing up, my family would go to Sekiu near Port Angeles, and we’d fish for salmon out of my grandparents’ 20-foot Hewescraft. As much as I enjoyed the fishing, I quickly found driving the boat was much more fun. That’s when I got hooked. I knew I wanted to find a way to make a living on the water driving boats—I just wasn’t quite sure how to make that happen.
Q: How did you learn that maritime work could be an actual career path?
A: I joined Sea Scouts at 15 aboard the Propeller, an old 65-foot Army “T” boat commanded by Captain Al Bruce, a former Foss employee. Though it was a scouting program, I was much more interested in learning how to handle the boat, stand navigational watches, and work the deck. Captain Bruce set the strongest example of a leader in this industry—a true servant leader and incredibly skilled, whether in the wheelhouse or keeping the aging Propeller running strong in the engine room.
Q: Why did you choose Maine Maritime Academy’s limited-tonnage program?
A: I knew before going to school that the limited-tonnage industry was where I wanted to be. I liked the smaller crews, more hands-on work, and the ability to go to places larger ships couldn’t. The program was different; all my sea time was gathered out in the industry working real jobs rather than on a training ship.
Q: What drew you specifically to Foss Maritime?
A: After my time on the Garth Foss assisting and escorting ships around Puget Sound, I had a goal, direction, and motivation to make it in the towing industry. I knew Foss was the company I wanted to work for. I appreciated their deep Washington roots as well as their devotion to fostering a cohesive and functional safety culture.
Q: How do you stay motivated on tough days?
A: The crews I work with and the little moments that no job on land could give. Moments like seeing an active volcano, watching the sunrise on the 04-08 watch, or getting to watch porpoises ride the bow wave on a perfectly flat sunny day crossing the Gulf of Alaska make it worth it. When the crew clicks with each other, it makes those days when nothing is going right just that much easier.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering maritime as a career?
A: Find programs like Sea Scouts or opportunities to get on the water early. Get out there and experience it. I’ve come to realize by watching captains and mates that boat handling is just one of the tools in the box of a good deck officer, and there’s always more to learn. The key is finding good people to learn from and being willing to put in the work.
Talk to a recruiter!
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Visit with recruiters at these upcoming events:
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- American School Counselor Conference (New Orleans):
- July 11-14: Foss Maritime, Overseas Shipholding Group
- Maritime Institute San Diego Spring Career Fair
- October career fair: Foss Maritime
- American School Counselor Conference (New Orleans):
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David Shevlin
Career Development and Licensing Specialist
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Christine Mulcahy
Marine Personnel Manager
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Tressie Osterrmiller
Marine Personnel Manager
Jade Umi
HR Business Partner
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Milt Merritt
President
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Jeff Johnson
President
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Austin Adye
HR Business Partner – Fleet
From tugs to tankers - the Saltchuk family of companies offer a wide range of maritime career opportunities.
The Saltchuk family of companies includes some of the most storied and respected brands in U.S. Maritime. Whether you’re interested in limited tonnage, containerships, or tankers – staying close to home or traveling the world, Saltchuk companies are a family of opportunity!
Why Sail With Us?
Safety is an operating principle, not a slogan. New mariners are often rightly cautious about company culture around safety. Saltchuk companies believe in stop work authority, giving the autonomy to vessel crews to make the right call—even when it’s the slower or more expensive one—you will always be supported in doing the job right.
Investment in the person, not just the position. Between scholarship programs, cadet berths, and pathways from seagoing to shoreside opportunities. Saltchuk companies have a track record of developing mariners rather than just hiring them.
Cook Inlet Tug & Barge
Adventure in Alaska! Seasonal or year round opportunities with Alaska's tug and barge company!
Foss Maritime
Join the largest West Coast tug fleet- offering opportunities from harbor assist, towing, offshore wind, and projects. Hawaii, West Coast, to Alaska, the Gulf, and worldwide!
OSG & Alaska Tanker Company
Tankers serving U.S. markets to sailing the world with the U.S. tanker security program - OSG Ship Management crews OSG and ATC vessels
TOTE Services
Sail on direct routes or worldwide with commercial (RO/RO) or containership (LO/LO) carriers and government vessels. Join our Vessel Construction Management team.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
Sail with the largest and most diverse dredging fleet in the U.S. Project sites throughout the U.S. and overseas.
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Saltchuk Job BoardOur Maritime Companies
Alaska Tanker Company
Alaska Tanker Company (ATC) provides ship management and marine transportation services primarily for crude oil carried from Alaska's North Slope to U.S. destinations along the West Coast.
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AmNav
Since 1976, AMNAV Maritime, LLC has been the leading provider of marine and harbor services in the San Francisco Bay area. Established on the “best value” service solution, AMNAV has expanded operations to Los Angeles/Long Beach, and continues to be a leader in ship-assist, tanker and barge escorts, marine construction support, salvage, emergency response, military operations, shipyard vessel assist, logistics for oversized equipment, and vessel and barge towing services.
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Cook Inlet Tug & Barge
Cook Inlet Tug & Barge specializes in harbor services with focus on the Port of Anchorage and Cook Inlet, Seward, Southeast Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and Western Alaska.
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Foss Maritime
Since 1889, Foss Maritime has set the standard for marine transportation with leading edge technology and engineering. Whether it’s solving transportation challenges in remote parts of the world or efficiently handling everyday harbor jobs, Foss Maritime combines a global reach with local expertise, and prides itself on always offering customers safe and innovative solutions.
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Foss Offshore Wind
Foss Offshore Wind is a leading provider of Installation, Laydown, Supply, and Transportation Services to the US Offshore Wind Industry. We possess a dedicated fleet of highly specialized vessels, a core competency for project management services for offshore work, and a dedicated shore base in the port of New Bedford, Massachusetts.
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OSG Ship Management
OSG's vision is to be one of the most respected energy transportation companies in the world. That vision is built by providing safe and reliable transportation services to customers while protecting its seafarers, its vessels, and the environment and by creating a rewarding and challenging workplace for seafarers and shoreside employees. OSG is a leading provider of energy transportation services, delivering crude oil, petroleum products, and renewable fuels around the U.S. and throughout the world. Under the OSG and Alaska Tanker Company brands, the company owns and operates a fleet of U.S. Flag vessels.
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TOTE Services
TOTE Services is a U.S.-based vessel construction management company that provides services for U.S. National Security Multi-Mission Vessels, commercial cargo, and transportation vessel projects. Since 1975, TOTE Services has provided full technical management and partial management/ crewing services for nearly one hundred government, private, and commercial vessels of various sizes and configurations.
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Young Brothers
Young Brothers (YB) is Hawaiʻi's foremost interisland freight handling and transportation company, providing barge transportation services to residential and commercial customers throughout the Hawaiian Islands. As the only state-authorized common carrier for regular interisland water freight transport, YB maintains an essential role in Hawaii's supply chain infrastructure.
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