Ordinary Seaman (Merchant Mariner’s Document)

CFR Reference: 46 CFR 12.02-7 STCW Reference: VI/1

Every seaman employed on any merchant vessel of the United States of 100 gross tons or upward, except vessels employed exclusively in trade on the navigable rivers of the United States, shall be issued, at the option of the seaman, a continuous discharge book, a certificate of identification, or merchant mariner's document representing such certificate of identification, which shall be retained by him. This book or certificate of identification or merchant mariner's document will bear a number, and this same number shall be shown on all certificates of service or efficiency issued to the holder of the book or certificate or document. Provisions of this section are not applicable to unrigged vessels except seagoing barges and certain tank barges.

Training:

For STCW Endorsement (to serve on vessels traveling in international waters):

· Basic Safety Training

Able Seaman (Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch)

CFR Reference: 46 CFR 12.05-3 STCW Reference: II/4

Requirements:

(1) Be at least 18 years of age;
 (2) Pass the prescribed physical examination;
 (3) Meet the sea service or training requirements set forth in this part;
 (4) Pass an examination demonstrating ability as an able seaman and lifeboatman; and,
 (5) Speak and understand the English language as would be required in performing the general duties of an able seaman and during an emergency aboard ship.
 (b) An STCW endorsement valid for any period on or after February 1, 2002, will be issued or renewed only when the candidate for certification as an able seaman also produces satisfactory evidence, on 
the basis of assessment of a practical demonstration of skills and abilities, of having achieved or maintained within the previous 5 years the minimum standards of competence for the following 4 areas of basic safety (First Aid/CPR, Personal Survival Techniques, Personal Safety & Social Responsibility, and Basic Firefighting).
 (c) An STCW endorsement valid for any period on or after February 1, 2002, will be issued or renewed only when the candidate for certification as able seamen meets the requirements of STCW Regulation 
II/4 and of Section A-II/4 of the STCW Code, if the candidate will be serving as a rating forming part of the navigational watch on a seagoing ship of 500 GT or more.
 
 
Sea Service: 
 
An applicant to be eligible for certification as lifeboatman  must meet one of the following requirements:
 
 (1) At least 1 year's sea service in the deck department, or at  least 2 years' sea service in the other departments of ocean, coastwise,  Great Lakes, and other lakes, bays, or sounds vessels.
 
 (2) Graduation from a schoolship approved by and conducted under  rules prescribed by the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center.
 
 (3) Satisfactory completion of basic training by a Cadet of the  United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps.
 
 (4) Satisfactory completion of 3 years' training at the U.S. Naval  Academy or the U.S. Coast Guard Academy including two training cruises.
 
 (5) Satisfactory completion of a course of training approved by the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, and service aboard a training vessel.
 
 (6) Successful completion of a training course, approved by the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, such course to include a minimum of 30 hours' actual lifeboat training; provided, however, that the applicant produces satisfactory evidence of having served a minimum of 6 months at sea board ocean or coastwise vessels.
 
 (b) An applicant, to be eligible for certification as lifeboatman, shall be able to speak and understand the English language as would be required in the rating of lifeboatman and in an emergency aboard ship.
 
 (c) An applicant shall be 18 years old to be certified as proficient in survival craft under STCW Regulation VI/2 (incorporated by reference in Sec. 12.01-3).
 
Training:
· Able Seaman Course
· Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboatman)
· Basic Safety Training (for STCW endorsement)
· Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch Sign-offs (for STCW endorsement)
 

 

Third Mate of Ocean or Near Coastal Vessels of any Gross Tons

CFR Reference: 46 CFR 10.407 STCW Reference: II/1

Sea Service:

(1) Three years of service in the deck department on ocean steam or motor vessels, six months of which shall have been as able seaman,boatswain, or quartermaster, while holding a certificate as able seaman. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to three months of the service requirements for this license; or,
 
 
(a) While holding a license as master of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 1,600 gross tons, one year of service as master on vessels of over 200 gross tons operating on ocean or near coastal waters will qualify the applicant for a license as third mate of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons.

Training:

· First Aid/CPR

· Advanced Firefighting

· Radar Observer

· Celestial Navigation (for Oceans Endorsement)

For STCW Endorsement:

· Basic Safety Training

· ARPA (if on vessel)

· Bridge Resource Management

· Terrestrial Navigation

· Medical Person in Charge

· Electronic Navigation

· Compass Course

· Others……

Second Mate of Ocean or Near Coastal Vessels of any Gross Tons

CFR Reference: 46 CFR 10.406 STCW Reference: II/2

Sea Service:

(a) One year of service as officer in charge of a navigational watch on ocean steam or motor vessels while holding a license as third mate; or,
 
(b) While holding a license as third mate of ocean steam or motor vessels of any gross tons, 12 months of service on deck as follows:
 
 (1) A minimum of six months service as officer in charge of a deck watch on ocean steam or motor vessels; in combination with,
 
 (2) Service on ocean steam or motor vessels as boatswain, able seaman, or quartermaster while holding a certificate as able seaman, which may be accepted on a two-for-one basis to a maximum allowable substitution of six months (12 months of experience equals 6 months of creditable service); or,
 
(c) A licensed master of Great Lakes and inland steam or motor vessels of any gross tons or master of inland steam or motor vessels of any gross tons, may obtain a license as second mate of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons by completing the prescribed examination in subpart I of this part.

Training:

· First Aid/CPR

· Advanced Firefighting

· Radar Observer

· Celestial Navigation (for Oceans Endorsement)

For STCW Endorsement:

· Basic Safety Training

· ARPA (if on vessel)

· Bridge Resource Management

· Terrestrial Navigation

· Medical Person in Charge

· Electronic Navigation

· Compass Course

· Others……

Chief Mate of Ocean or Near Coastal Vessels of any Gross Tons

CFR Reference: 46 CFR 10.405 STCW Reference: II/2

Sea Service:

One year of service as officer in charge of a navigational watch on ocean steam or motor vessels while holding a license as second mate.

Training:

· First Aid/CPR

· Advanced Firefighting

· Radar Observer

· Celestial Navigation (for Oceans Endorsement)

For STCW Endorsement:

· Basic Safety Training

· ARPA (if on vessel)

· Bridge Resource Management

· Terrestrial Navigation

· Medical Person in Charge

· Electronic Navigation

· Compass Course

· Others……

Maser of Ocean or Near Coastal Vessels of any Gross Tons

CFR Reference: 46 CFR 10.404 STCW Reference: II/2

Sea Service:

(a) One year of service as chief mate on ocean steam or motor vessels; or,
 
(b) One year of service on ocean steam or motor vessels while holding a license as chief mate of ocean steam or motor vessels as follows:
 
 (1) A minimum of six months of service as chief mate; and,
 
 (2) Service as officer in charge of a navigational watch accepted on a two-for-one basis (12 months as second or third mate equals six months of creditable service).

Training:

· First Aid/CPR

· Advanced Firefighting

· Radar Observer

· Celestial Navigation (for Oceans Endorsement)

For STCW Endorsement:

· Basic Safety Training

· ARPA (if on vessel)

· Bridge Resource Management

· Terrestrial Navigation

· Medical Person in Charge

· Electronic Navigation

· Compass Course

· Others……

REQUIREMENTS FOR “ALL” DOCUMENTS AND LICENSES:

1. Three 2” x 1 ½” passport photographs

2. Sea Service Documentation

3. Drug Test and Physical

4. Subject to criminal record review and a safety and security check as described by 46 CFR 12 SubCh. .

5. Comply with NDR requirements of 46 CFR 12 SubCh. 12.02-4(d)

6. Completed application and supporting documentation for the appropriate document or license.

7. Transportation Worker Identification Card