National Mate 500/1600 OC

Applicant must meet one of the following sea service requirements:

For vessel less than 1600 GRT- 

• 1080 days of service in the deck department on Ocean, Near Coastal or Great Lakes waters, OF WHICH
  • Service on inland waters, other than GL, may substitute for up to 540 of the total required service, AND
  • 360 days of service on vessels of more than 100 GRT, AND
  • 360 days of service as Master, Mate, or equivalent position while holding an Officer endorsement as Master, Mate, or Master/Mate Towing vessels, AND
  • 180 days of the service as Master, Mate, or equivalent position, must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT; OR
• 1080 days of service in the deck department on Ocean or Near Coastal vessels of more than 100 GRT, OF WHICH
  • 180 days of service must have been while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the master or qualified officer.

For vessel less than 500 GRT

• 720 days of service in the deck department on Ocean, or Near Coastal or Great Lakes waters, OF WHICH
  • Service on inland waters, other than GL, may substitute for up to 360of the total required service., AND
  • 360 days of service as Master, Mate, or equivalent position while holding an Officer endorsement as Master, Mate, or OUPV, AND
  • 180 days as Master, Mate, or equivalent position, on vessels of more than 50 GRT.

For additional information refer to the NMC Checklist.

Applicants for the Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) must meet the listed general requirements:

• Meet the credential age requirement.
• Submit evidence of holding or having applied for Transportation Working Identification Card (TWIC) from TSA.
• Submit completed MMC Application CG-Form 719B.
• Must submit evidence of appropriate Sea Service as required. Military sea service may be counted towards the sea service required to become a mariner. This military sea service is only part of the MMC evaluation. Documentation is key and must be submitted with the MMC application package to a Regional Exam Center.
• Provide photocopies the front and the back of all relevant Training Course Certificate(s) and Certifications.
• Submit CG Form- 719C Disclosure Statement for Narcotics, DWI/DUI, and/or other convictions as applicable.
• Provide proof of passing the appropriate vision, hearing, medical, or physical exam, documented on CG Form-719K or CG-719K/E.
• Provide evidence of passing a DOT/USCG periodic drug test on CG From- 719P.
• Submit evaluation, exam and issuance Fees as applicable.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) National Maritime Center (NMC) awards credentials to fully qualified mariners to assure a safe, secure, economically viable and environmentally sound Marine Transportation System. There are generally two types of mariner credentials: National and International, and they are awarded in two primary operational departments, Deck and Engine.  However, before any mariner credential is awarded, applicants must first attain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

The International credentials are governed in compliance with Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW). These international standards (STCW) were first developed in 1978 when the international maritime community realized that human factors played a dominant role in the prevention of marine casualties.  The last major revision to the international STCW Convention and Code were adopted in 2010 in Manila, Philippines and took effect on 1 Jan 2012.

General Application Requirements include drug test compliance, medical screening, First Aid and CPR certificates of training, and firefighting training. In addition to the general application requirements, the primary data elements that NMC evaluators need from military mariner applicants to assess their experience and suitability for National or STCW level credentials are Military Sea Service history and Vessel Information as described below:

MILITARY SEA SERVICE

Military sea service experience must be a reasonable equivalent to the service required of a merchant mariner who is seeking an identical license. Evaluations of military sea service require submission of a Transcript of Sea Service (TOSS) or a Sea Service Letter. Each service has a slightly different version of their Sea Service letter; this example shows U.S. Navy Sea Service Letter requirements.  U.S. Army applicants can request a copy of their Sea Service history through the Sea Pay system.

NMC Regional Examination Centers may also require an official description of duties statement, letters of qualification, service record entries, or letters from former supervisors or commanding officers as well.  Specific details about sea service requirements for the various different credentials can be found in  46 CFR Part 10 - Merchant Mariner Credential, and 46 CFR Part 12 - Requirements for Rating Endorsements.  Additional details related to criteria for accepting military sea experience can be obtained from the Marine Safety Manual-Vol III, and Section 3 of the Military File Evaluation Manual.

VESSEL INFORMATION

Each Service also has corresponding vessel information. 

U.S. Navy applicants can reference this U.S. Navy Vessel Information chart for details on Ship Type, Name, Hull number, Ship Class, GRI ITC Tonnage, GRT Tonnage, Horsepower, and Propulsion Type when completing their Sea Service Letter.

U.S. Army applicant’s Vessel information will be included in the Sea Pay letter they request for military sea service history.

Requirements for renewal:

• The applicant must either—
  • Present evidence of at least 1 year of sea service during the past 5 years;
  • Pass a comprehensive, open-book exercise covering the general subject matter as appropriate to the credential;
  • Complete an approved refresher training course;
  • Provide evidence of employment as a qualified instructor or in a position closely related to the credential.
• A credential may be renewed at any time during its validity and for 1 year after expiration.

There are no professional requirements for renewal for the following endorsements:

• Ordinary seaman, Wiper, Steward's department, Steward's department (F.H.).
• Cadet, Student observer, Apprentice engineer, Apprentice mate.
• Person in charge of medical care, Medical first-aid provider.
• GMDSS at-sea maintainer, GMDSS operator.

Certain STCW endorsements must complete approved refresher or revalidation training.