JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The mission of Mad Dads is to bring positive change to the community by making neighborhoods safer. Now, Mad Dads has another task. The group is helping young men and women in Jacksonville find successful career path.
“From the opinion of the students, it’s really worth it because of the pay that the merchant seamen get. These young people in this class are going to start working at around $40K a year and their potential is probably around $150,000k a year,” says Robert Russo, chief instructor for Florida Youth Maritime Training.
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Russo and the Jacksonville Chapter of Mad Dads President Donald Foy say becoming a merchant seaman is an opportunity to show endangered youth in Jacksonville that they can make a healthy and financially stable living.
“Like Russo said, they could make up to $150,000K a year. Now here’s the key with that. They are on the boat, they’re eating free, they’re sleeping free so they’re managing to just build up the money; and now when they come back, they have a real bank account,” said Foy.
Foy says over the last six years, the partnership between Mad Dads and Florida Youth Maritime has taken 75 people off the street and placed them onto boats making an honest living. One of those 75 people is Merchant Seaman Douglas Thompson, 7 years ago he was in and out jail.
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“I’m to a point where I can buy myself a house, buy myself a car, anything I want to buy, now you know I’m successful. My kids are fine, I’ve really come a long way,” said Douglas Thompson.
If you are interested in becoming a merchant seaman then there are few things you need to know. One is that you must be able to obtain a workers transportation identity card badge. If you have been arrested and convicted of a crime, you may be ineligible. You must also pass a physical as well as a number of drug tests.
This is a four month long training program where students will learn online Monday through Thursday at their own pace. Friday is an online review session and Saturday is an in person, hands on-training course.
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Participants will learn a number of responsibilities including rigging, OSHA safety, first aid, CPR, how to save a sinking vessel and fight a fire. There are also a number of Coast Guard courses.
These classes are voluntary. If you would like to help fund further education opportunities for our youth in Jacksonville or need help getting started call Donald 904-718-1649.
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