Pros
Good starting point to get familiar with vessel operations. There is a relatively effective ramp up process to build confidence at the helm of larger vessels.
Cons
Extremely low pay for what is available elsewhere - I mean not even close to the same ballpark. They make you split weekends as well so you either have Friday Saturday off or Sunday Monday off, can work for some but you miss a lot with days off being staggered. Also, they hire anyone with a pulse. Deckhands can be anyone from a college kid on summer vacation to a child predator or ex convict with murder charges. That’s not an exaggeration.