License Requirements
Course requirement for deck licenses over 499 GRT, have put advancement for experience seaman out of reach. Everyone I speak with agrees the new regulations requiring deck license candidates to take up to 11 approved training courses, in addition to examination will have detrimental affect on the already limited pool of licensed officers. The over all cost for the these courses has been estimated at about $10,000 for class room. The lowest estimated class time is 63 days, which is about 3 months.
The good news is there is a new license available for the towing industry, Master of Towing Vessels, and the courses listed below are not needed. What I see in 5 to 10 years is the average license in the towing industry will drop from 1600 GRT to 200 GRT. Most tugboats are built under 200 GRT to remain uninspected, so all that changes is the paper. The exam material for the towing license is exactly the same as the exam material for 1600 Near Coastal, so what actually changes?
Note: GT = ITC Tonnage (international), GRT = Gross Registered Tons (domestic)
Course Requirements
| Requirements for licenses 500 GT and above have changed. As of February 1, 2002 all applicants require the following, as well as the appropriate STCW training. |
| |
Current competencies in Basic Safety Training |
|
| |
Completion of the following approved training: |
| |
|
a. |
Terrestrial and Coastal Navigation |
| |
|
b. |
Celestial Navigation (ocean only) |
| |
|
c. |
Electronic Navigation |
| |
|
d. |
Watchkeeping (Operational Level) |
| |
|
e. |
Meteorology (Operational Level) |
| |
|
f. |
Ship Construction |
| |
|
g. |
Basic Stability |
| |
|
h. |
Basic Shiphandling |
| |
|
i. |
Steering Control Systems |
| |
|
j. |
Cargo Handling & Stowage (Operational Level) |
| |
|
k. |
Magnetic and Gyro Compasses |
| |
|
l. |
Search and Rescue |
| |
|
m. |
Emergency Procedures (Operational Level) |
| |
|
n. |
Advanced Firefighting |
| |
|
o. |
Medical Care Provider (also known as Medical First Aid Provider) |
| |
|
p. |
GMDSS (or limitation to non-GMDSS equipped vessels) |
| |
|
q. |
ARPA (or limitation to non-ARPA equipped vessels) |
|
For a list of all requirements, http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/checklists/mate_oc_nc_500.pdf
The Towing License
The towing license has three levels or ratings, and is issued like other license, i.e. Oceans, Near Coastal, Great Lakes & Inland, Western, and also Limited to certain routes and harbors. The entry level being, Apprentice Mate (Steersman). An OS or AB can apply for Apprentice Mate (Steersman) with 18 months sea time, 12 of the 18 months are requited to be on a towing vessel. Inland 3 months on each route. Advancement to Mate (Pilot), and then to Master no further exams, advancement is based on sea time, and TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record)
| TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record), is a official record of tasks accomplished by the apprentice and signed off by an approved Towing Assessor. |
|
| Towing Assessors are approved by the NMC. Towing Company's or experienced Masters can submit a request to the National Maritime Center, by providing license info, experience, including vessel official numbers and tonnage. Call (202) 493-1064 for details. |
For a complete listing of exam subjects and requirments:
Also see DECK GUIDE
TITLE 46--SHIPPING CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PART 10--LICENSING OF MARITIME PERSONNEL
 
|