I have a 100 ton master's ticket which with $2.00 will get a small decaf. Most good marine jobs are inside deals, if you check harbor pilots a lot of them have the same last name. The experience level is very high. Engineer is not a career path to deck officer. Sea time, like flight time is logged and verified. An All Oceans-Unlimited Tonnage license make you a minor god. The best part is: THE HAT IS OPTIONAL!
If you have an MSY layover, go down to the ribber and watch the BTR pilots change with the N.O. pilots at 6kts. on the rope ladder. Uniform is checked sports coat and a fedora. Smooth operators them pilots.