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Applicant Frequently Asked Questions:
*****The
Detroit Princess Riverboat continues to review all applications call
applicants as soon as positions are available. Currently, we are
only looking for experienced bartenders. Thank you for your
interest!*****
Thank
you for your interest in working on the Detroit Princess
Riverboat! Although you, as a potential employee, could skip to
the questions of interest, it is highly recommended that you read this
entire document, as these are common questions and general information
about the job you are considering. After reading this, if you are
interested in applying for a position with the Detroit Princess, please
click the application link, and submit your completed application.
1. What
do you look for in an employee?
2. What
type of venue is this?
3. Where
does the boat go?
4. What
positions are you filling/what do you pay?
5. When
are you hiring?
6. How
old do I need to be?
7. How
do I apply?
8. Do
I need a Drug Test to work Detroit Princess?
9. Can
I work part time/what are the hours?
10. Is
there job training?
11. Is
there a uniform?
12. How
do I get an MMD?
13. Why
do I need an MMD?
14. Is
the cost of an MMD covered?
15. Where
do I go to get my MMD?
16. What if I’m
interested in being marine crew?
***SCROLL
TO BOTTOM OF PAGE TO COMPLETE APPLICATION***
What do you look for in an employee?
Working
on the riverboat can be a challenging but fun and exciting
experience. On the riverboat, we have performers who are on stage
for the show, but it is truly our staff that set the stage for a
special riverboat excursion through the positive attitudes and smiles
which help our guests feel welcome and part of a unique atmosphere.
We
are looking for staff with a great attitudes and strong work ethics. We find this atmosphere can both be professional and fun and we
like our employees to have great people skills and the ability think on
their feet and handle constantly changing situations. We value
employees with commitment to their job and the boat. This
environment is more of a team atmosphere than just individual
roles. We’re all working towards the same goal – to give the
customer an incredible boating experience!
In
addition, our staff needs to be able to obtain an MMD (Merchant Mariner
Document) from the United States Coast Guard. Essentially,
this is a background check, drug screen, and the way the US government
checks that the employees of a ship are of high character. Please
see details in further questions, and refer to the USCG website
linked below.
What type of venue is this?
Having
run a boat in Lansing, Michigan for over 25 years, the leaders of the
Detroit Princess have many years experience operating
riverboats. We have regularly scheduled cruises with
entertainment, mostly live. There are public and private
cruises on board, our four interior dining decks affording us great
variety in the type of party. Most cruises have a tasty standard
buffet which has been developed over the years, while some private
parties opt for a varied menu. Explore our website for more
information and variety of our cruises.
Where does the boat go?
The
boat cruises are generally 2-3 hours long, journeying from Hart Plaza
past the Renaissance Center, Chene Park, Belle Isle and then turning around to
cruise past the Canadian side of the river to the Ambassador
Bridge, and then back to our dock. Though our cruising
schedule is fairly regular, our
employee shifts tend to vary. We try to work with
employees’ outside commitments as much as possible, though there are
times when it just is not possible.
What positions are you filling/what do you pay?
Having
run a boat in Lansing, Michigan for years, we have many years of
experience operating a riverboat/dinner-entertainment venue. We
try to pay a fair hourly wage for our banquet-style venue, between
$6.00 -$12.00 per hour, based upon position, and tips on top of that,
weekly pay. We are hiring for a variety of positions on board the Detroit
Princess, including:
- Waitstaff
- Cooks
- Dishwashers
- Bartenders (experienced)
- Photographers
- Marine
Crew (Captains, Mates, Engineers, Oilers, QMEDs, AB’s, and OS’s)
(marine crew should apply through Algonac Seafarers Union International
Office: 810-794-4988)
We
incorporate training in the job, though some experience is
helpful. For this initial start up, experienced bartenders are
preferred.
When are you hiring?
Over
the next few weeks (mid to end of April, 2005), we will be going
through the hiring process, and contacting qualified applicants for
interviews. After that, applications can still be submitted, as we will
have intermittent hiring. However, if you are submitting
applications after April, you might not be hired for quite some time.
How old do I need to be?
For
our boat, we are hiring staff 18 years and older. Bartenders
need to be 21 or older for our company.
How do I apply?
All
applications at this time should be submitted online. We
will contact you if we are interested in interviewing you for a
position.
Do I need a Drug Test to work Detroit Princess?
YES! In
addition, as you are working on a U.S.C.G. regulated vessel, you will
be subject to a random drug testing program throughout your
employment.
Can I work part time/what are the hours?
Yes,
we will be hiring part time and full time employees. The shifts
and hours vary based upon the cruise schedule. See the cruise
schedule online for sample hours that the boat will cruise.
Is there job training?
Yes,
we will be hosting training sessions for our employees. You will
be required to attend, as certain trainings are required as a vessel
for Homeland Security. For most positions, we hire experienced and
inexperienced staff. For this initial start up, we will require
the bartenders to be experienced.
Is there a uniform?
Yes.
Uniform shirts will be provided. Employees are responsible for
following the dress policy, as you are a representative for our
company. Employees will provide their own black, plain belted
pants and black shoes (such as tennis shoes or work shoes).
This job involves a lot of movement from our employees, as the rooms
are large, and the boat is really big. Employees will be carrying
many things, including food to buffets, so we expect them to wear shoes
made for that type of activity.
How do I get an MMD?
As
of right now, ony our marine crew staff is required to have an MMD
(Merchant Mariner’s Document or Z-Card). To apply for this, you
should visit the following website: http://www.uscg.mil/stcw
For the Great Lakes MMD application, you will need to
- Submit application and pay the application fee
- Be
fingerprinted by the Coast Guard Regional Exam Center (Toledo, OH is
the closest to Detroit, about a 45 minute drive from downtown).
- Have
a drug test, done by the Coast Guard approved drug test facilities.
We
strongly recommend that if you think this job is up your alley, you
should begin the application process now, as it takes 6-8 weeks for the
application to be processed by the Coast Guard. When you do go to apply
for your MMD, please let us know, so we can keep abreast of who has
applied.
Note: If
you had previously visited the USCG’s website on MMDs, you may want
to revisit it. They have revamped and put a nice set of answers
to common questions on there. When you get to the first page,
click on the image where it says, “MMD” - there is additional
information there.
Why do I need an MMD?
Our
hiring process is a bit more involved than some businesses, being a
US-flagged ship. Every one of our employees needs to pass a drug
screen, and obtain an MMD (Merchant Mariners Document) through the US
Coast Guard. This MMD process is very important; our employees cannot
set foot on that ship to work without an MMD card. If an applicant
cannot obtain an MMD card we cannot hire that individual.
To
obtain the MMD card, the individual must first past the Fitness Exam
(if applying for ocean/Great Lakes MMD) and the Drug Screen. They will
need to have all the adequate documentation to present to the US Coast
Guard when they apply. There will be a COMPLETE background check,
juvenile records included along with a 50 Drivers Abstract check.
Unpaid parking tickets, DUI, misdemeanors, anything and everything will
be accounted for. If there is unsettled business, the MMD process will
be held up. There are certain crimes that will prevent an MMD from ever
being obtained. This is the most crucial part of the process, for as of
right now, without the MMD, one will not be able to work on the ship.
It is very important that all applicants disclose any and all
information to the Coast Guard at the time of the interview and take
care of all lose ends prior to applying.
Is
the cost of an MMD covered?
No,
most companies do not cover the Coast Guard’s MMD documentation, as
getting an MMD opens new job opportunities for you, qualifying you to
take a position on other vessels as well. For example, US Flagged
Cruise lines also require their employees to have an MMD, as well as
all US ships. (See Norwegian
Cruise Line’s website as an example) This opens new doors for you as an
employee if you decide you enjoy working on board marine vessels.
There are 2 types of MMDs for which you can apply.
First, you can get one restricted to the Great Lakes. Second, you
can get one which qualifies you for oceans and/or the Great
Lakes. Please refer to http://www.uscg.mil/stcw for
the application packet and instructions.
Where do I go to get my MMD?
To
save time, you may want to download, print, and complete the
application form prior to going to the Regional Exam Center. The
closest Regional Exam Center is in Toledo, Ohio, approximately 45
minutes – 1 hour from downtown Detroit. Please remember to
bring proper ID and a passport photo with you, as required by the U.S.
Coast Guard.
What
if I’m interested in being marine crew?
If
you are interested in being marine crew, we are hiring Ordinary Seamen,
Able-Bodied Seamen, Oilers, QMEDs, Captains (1600 ton license), Mates,
Engineers. ALL marine crew applications should be routed
through the International Seafarer’s Union Algonac office. Please
contact them at (810)794-4988. Most of these
positions require special training or licensing. If you think you
may qualify, please contact the Seafarer’s Union.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW!
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