dhodges45

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  1. I know this is an old topic but I figured I would add my two cents worth if anyone was interested. I am the Captain of an ocean going tug and barge unit. I have been going to sea for 16 years. I converted to LDS about 5 years ago. My wife is a lifelong member. I work three weeks on and three weeks off… I am the only Mormon on my vessel and with most merchant ships there is a small crew and no clergy or anything like that aboard. We have Direct TV and I am able to watch BYU TV so I can watch General Conference and other LDS religious shows but I doubt you will find a Chaplin aboard an MSC ship. They are manned with a small crew of civilian sailors and maybe a few active duty sailors and marines for security while at sea. I started my career in the Coast Guard and since they are a small service we had no chaplains aboard. I would advise against MSC if you intend to have a family life… There are many other ways to have a successful career at sea and get wayyyyyy more time off than 4 months on (if you are lucky, I know guys with MSC who were gone for 16 months…) and then 2 weeks off. I have never worked more that equal time on and off and never more than a 4 weeks away. 3 weeks on and 3 off isn't too bad when you get used to it and I attend church regularly when I am home. I'd be happy to answer anything about sailing on merchant ships or the Coast Guard. I know a little about the Navy but I didn't serve in the Navy so its 2nd hand knowledge but like I said above I have been doing this for 16 years straight. Its my life and my wife and 3 daughters lives too...