Odds of Hanging On
Work as a dredge operator is more of a lifestyle than a mere job. It's best suited for those who can cope with being away from home and family for weeks at a time, can stand being cooped up on a ship day after day, and can work long shifts. There's also the seasonal nature of the business to contend with. If there's no work for your dredge, there's no work―or pay―for you.
If all those problems sound like issues you can learn to live with, your odds of hanging on as a dredge operator are pretty good. And having two or three weeks at home between gigs allows you to relax and spend nice chunks of time with the family. Perhaps you could even start a part-time landscaping business to pick up extra income on the side. Not a bad life, all things considered.