Florida Marine believes that developing its employees and promoting from within contributes to increases in achieving safety goals, retaining employees, improving morale, and building commitment.  This is evident in our safety and environmental records, and our low turnover ratios for wheelman and shore side employees.  Additionally, this has benefited our individual employees through career growth and personal recognition.

Through Florida Marine’s comprehensive steersman, tankerman and deckhand training programs, our towboat crews are able to develop their careers to their fullest potential.  Currently we have 49 active steersman (16 turned loose this year, 5 being check rode) in training and 76 tankerman in training.  Florida Marine’s deckhand program consists of safety training, hands-on industry training, shipyard and fleet time.

Florida Marine believes in and has promoted 33 members of its towboat crews from deck to wheelhouse over the past two years.  Wheelhouse retention rate is 98%, and shore side is 96%.

Recently, two Florida Marine crews received recognition.  Crews from the M/V Tim Burns and M/V Jason Belcher received a customer recognition letter; and Captain Jack Foster and his crew received an award from the USCG.