In person

MOU status: DoD MOU current through May 4, 2027.

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HiredTroops is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of War, or any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. SkillBridge is a U.S. government program. Program data on this site comes from the public SkillBridge directory and from employers, and is provided for informational purposes. Confirm all details with the employer and your command.

At a glance

Programs: 4
Locations: 4
States served: 1

Delivery: In person (4)
Program length: 20 weeks or more (3), 8 to 12 weeks (1)
Program type: Maritime (4)
Branches accepted: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force

Counts are computed from the DoD program listings below -- a provider with several programs can appear more than once in each count.

About Harbor Docking & Towing

Harbor Docking and Towing (HDT) is a marine transportation company based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, specializing in harbor assist work. The company has operated in Lake Charles since 1955 and expanded to Point Comfort, Texas in 1986. HDT participates in the DoD SkillBridge program with the stated intent to recruit, train, and retain quality employees through the program.

SkillBridge internships at HDT are conducted in person and place participants aboard working tugs in operational roles. The program offers four tracks: Ordinary Seaman, Able Seaman, Qualified Member of the Engine Department, and Mate of Towing/Master of Towing. Internship lengths vary by track, ranging from 61–90 days for the Ordinary Seaman position to 151–180 days for the Mate, Able Seaman, and QMED roles. All positions involve live-aboard schedules, with rotation patterns of 7/7 or 21/21 depending on the role.

Day-to-day duties reflect the actual work of each position. Deckhands handle lines, maintain deck equipment, assist with fuel and water transfers, and support vessel cleanliness and safety drills. QMED interns assist the onboard engineer with engine room rounds, maintenance, and casualty response while also performing deckhand duties. Mate interns stand 12-hour wheelhouse watches and operate the vessel under observation by the Master. All roles require participants to hold a current Merchant Mariner Credential and a TWIC card, among other applicable credentials.

Service members with boatswain's mate, machinist's mate, engineman, or similar underway ratings are identified as target candidates. The program contact listed is Wesley Dugas.

Sources: www.harbordocking.com (checked Aug 2, 2026)

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Programs

Able Seaman (AB) - Maritime

Detailed listing

Delivery: In person source value: In-Person
Length: About 22 to 26 weeks source value: 151 - 180 days
Type: Maritime
Branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force
Target MOCs: BM, MK, ME, GM, OS, Any Underway Experience
Career field: Transportation and Material Moving
Defense Industrial Base: Yes

Summary

Harbor Docking and Towing (HDT) is a marine transportation company specializing in harbor assist work in Lake Charles, LA and Point Comfort, TX. Along with our support for prior service members, HDT intends to recruit, train, and retain quality employees through participation in the DOD Skill Bridge Program.

Eligibility

NOTE: Candidates with previous maritime experience and training may apply for an higher level Marine Deck Officer MMC.

What the work involves

Role Objectives: The role of Able Bodied Seafarer (AB) is to serve as lead deckhand to assist the tug Master in the timely, efficient, and orderly operation and management of the company’s tug. This position is for nationwide offshore towing operations working a 7/7 or 21/21 schedule. AB must hold the appropriate and unexpired Merchant Mariner Credential, STCW Basic Training, Medical Credential, and Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card. The AB must be familiar with and dedicated to the safety, environmental health, security, and maintenance standards of the crew, vessel and company. Key Responsibilities: • Preparing the tug and deck machinery to enable the tug to get underway, perform work, or conduct maintenance, • Monitoring the performance, safety, and cleanliness of the tug, its decks and lower holds, ground tackle, lines and hawsers, including but not limited to handling lines on deck, • Performing maintenance on all assigned equipment and systems under the direction of the master, mate, Marine Superintendent, or management, • Assisting in the engine room, in sanitary duties, with interior and topside maintenance, taking on water, fuel and lubes, or otherwise as needed and directed, • Contributing to unity, good order, and discipline among the crew, • Training other crewmembers on company policies and procedures, • Ensuring that company policies and procedures are followed, • Actively participating in drills, training, company meetings and on board safety evolutions, and enhancing the safety and security posture of the vessel, • Assisting in vessel orientation for new crewmembers, • Reporting deficiencies in the vessel or crew to the engineer and/or master, • Maintaining a professional attitude during operations and whenever dealing with customers, partners or company personnel, • Other appropriate tasks and duties as may be assigned from time to time by company officials or the master. Skill Requirements: • Manual dexterity, • Effectively communicate both orally and in writing, • Strong problem solving ability and responsiveness, • Good spatial orientation, • Effective social adaptability, interpersonal skills and resilience.

Locations

Lake Charles, LA

Mate of Towing/Master of Towing - Maritime

Detailed listing

Delivery: In person source value: In-Person
Length: About 22 to 26 weeks source value: 151 - 180 days
Type: Maritime
Branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force
Target MOCs: BM, CWOs, Junior Officers, Experience Driving Boats/Ships
Career field: Transportation and Material Moving
Defense Industrial Base: Yes

Eligibility

NOTE: Candidates with previous maritime experience and training may apply for an higher level Marine Deck Officer MMC such as MATE of Towing or MASTER of Towing.

What the work involves

The role of tug Mate (Pilot) is to assist the tug Master in the timely, efficient, and orderly operation and management of the company’s tug. This position is for nationwide offshore towing operations working a 21/21 schedule. All Mate (Pilots) must hold the appropriate and unexpired Merchant Mariner Credential, Near Coastal or Oceans route, Medical Credential, Radar Observer license, Radio Operator License, STCW Basic Training, and Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card. The Mate (Pilot) must be familiar with and dedicated to the safety, environmental health, security, and maintenance standards of the crew, vessel and company. Key Responsibilities: • Stand wheelman watches (offshore) 12 hours per day. • Piloting the vessel in a safe, disciplined, prudent, and orderly manner, • Delivering the vessel and crew to the proper destination safely, • Maintaining unity, good order, and discipline among the crew, • Under observation by the master, directing the overall operation of the vessel and crew, • Familiarizing him/her self with the master’s responsibilities, authority and duties such that he/she is ready, at any moment of incapacitation of the master, of acting as master of the vessel for as long as may be necessary, • Training other crewmembers on company policies and procedures, • Ensuring that company policies and procedures are followed, • Actively participating in drills, training, company meetings and on board safety evolutions, and enhancing the safety and security posture of the vessel, • Assisting in vessel orientation for new crewmembers, • Reporting deficiencies in the vessel or crew to the master, • Maintaining a professional attitude during operations and whenever dealing with customers, partners or company personnel, • Other appropriate tasks and duties as may be assigned from time to time by company officials or the master.

Locations

Lake Charles, LA

Ordinary Seaman (OS) - Maritime

Detailed listing

Delivery: In person source value: In-Person
Length: About 9 to 13 weeks source value: 61 - 90 days
Type: Maritime
Branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force
Target MOCs: BM, MK, ME, GM, OS, Any Underway Experience
Career field: Transportation and Material Moving
Defense Industrial Base: Yes

Eligibility

NOTE: Candidates with previous maritime experience and training may apply for a higher level Marine Deck Officer MMC.

What the work involves

The role of Ordinary Seaman (OS) is to serve as deckhand to assist the tug Master in the timely, efficient, and orderly operation and management of the company’s tug. This position is for nationwide offshore towing operations working a 7/7 or 21/21 schedule. OS must hold the appropriate and unexpired Merchant Mariner Credential, STCW Basic Training, Medical Credential, and Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card. The OS must be familiar with and dedicated to the safety, environmental health, security, and maintenance standards of the crew, vessel and company. Key Responsibilities: • Preparing the tug and deck machinery to enable the tug to get underway, perform work, or conduct maintenance, • Monitoring the performance, safety, and cleanliness of the tug, its decks and lower holds, ground tackle, lines and hawsers, including but not limited to handling lines on deck, • Performing maintenance on all assigned equipment and systems under the direction of the master, mate, Marine Superintendent, or management, • Assisting in the engine room, in sanitary duties, with interior and topside maintenance, taking on water, fuel and lubes, or otherwise as needed and directed, • Contributing to unity, good order, and discipline among the crew, • Training other crewmembers on company policies and procedures, • Ensuring that company policies and procedures are followed, • Actively participating in drills, training, company meetings and on board safety evolutions, and enhancing the safety and security posture of the vessel, • Assisting in vessel orientation for new crewmembers, • Reporting deficiencies in the vessel or crew to the engineer and/or master, • Maintaining a professional attitude during operations and whenever dealing with customers, partners or company personnel, • Other appropriate tasks and duties as may be assigned from time to time by company officials or the master. Skill Requirements: • Manual dexterity, • Effectively communicate both orally and in writing, • Strong problem solving ability and responsiveness, • Good spatial orientation, • Effective social adaptability, interpersonal skills and resilience.

Locations

Lake Charles, LA

Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED) - Maritime

Detailed listing

Delivery: In person source value: In-Person
Length: About 22 to 26 weeks source value: 151 - 180 days
Type: Maritime
Branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force
Target MOCs: MK, EM, ET, DC, EN, HT, MM, MR any underway experience
Career field: Transportation and Material Moving
Defense Industrial Base: Yes

Eligibility

NOTE: Candidates with previous maritime experience and training may apply for an higher level Marine Engine Officer MMC.

What the work involves

Tug employees are required to work 7 days on (live abord) 7 days off and not to leave the vessel without permission of Master. While on duty onboard the vessel, to remain on call 24 hours a day. Must show stability under pressure and have the ability to withstand the stresses associated with the maritime environment (potential hazardous situation, short notice travel, and unpredictable weather extremes). All employees are expected to remain flexible with work schedule, tug assignment, and travel to meet company needs. QMED reports directly to the Master. The QMED will fill the role of deckhand while showing interest in the engine room. Will assist the onboard engineer with all engine room operations to include making rounds, transfer evolutions, maintenance, and casualty response. The detailed explanation of QMED expectations is listed below. Key Responsibilities: • Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris • Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear • Load or unload materials from vessels • Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines • Stand watch in ships' bows or bridge wings in order to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids such as buoys and lighthouses • Assist with machinery maintenance • Assist with fuel transfers • Assist in emergency situations as required by captain, mate, or pilot • Operate, maintain, and repair ship equipment such as winches, cranes, and derricks • Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, and sides of ships • Other duties and special projects as assigned Knowledge Requirements: • Basic Mechanical • Basic Electrical • Hand tool • Power tool • Equipment maintenance knowledge of boat and ship equipment and gear

Locations

Lake Charles, LA

Where this provider operates

LouisianaLake Charles

Keep looking

Where this comes from

Source is the Department of Defense SkillBridge directory, filtered to Harbor Docking & Towing. HiredTroops republishes it and adds the plain-language notes. We do not screen, rank, or endorse organizations, and we take nothing from them.

Last checked August 23, 2026, which is older than our normal weekly refresh.

Confirm current program status with the organization and with your command before you commit. This directory is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Defense.