National Mate Unlimited GL and Inland
Credential: National Mate Unlimited GL and Inland
Credentialing Agency: United States Coast Guard (USCG)
Renewal Period: 5 years
The National Mate Unlimited Great Lakes (GL) and Inland is a licensed officer in the deck department of a merchant ship and reports to the Chief Mate, the Captain or Master. The Mate is a watch keeping officer who performs duties including, planning the vessel's route for each stage of the voyage, monitoring and recording the progress along the route, upkeeping navigational charts and publications, and ensuring functionality of the vessel’s radio equipment, firefighting equipment, lifeboats, meteorological instruments and various other emergency systems. The National Mate Unlimited GL and Inland officers also administer first aid to the ship's crew and treats minor ailments. Mates duties vary depending on the type of ship, its crewing, and other factors. There are different licenses of a Mate according to the experience, certificates, and competencies. Candidates must meet a minimum sea service, training, and exam requirement.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
National Mate Unlimited GL and Inland
The following DOD Civilian Occupations provide training and/or experience that contributes to attaining this credential:
The following Federal Occupations provide training and/or experience that contribute to attaining this credential:
| Federal Occupation | Related As | |
|---|---|---|
| 5220 Shipwright |  Other |
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience: 1080 days
- Education
- Training: First Aid / CPR, Advanced Firefighting
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY
Renewal Period: 5 years
AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
United States Coast Guard (USCG)
United States Department of Homeland Security
2100 2nd St. S.W.
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Phone: (202) 267-0218
Contact Page
Experience REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet the following sea service requirement:
- 1080 days service in the deck department on self propelled vessels, OF WHICH
- 90 days of service on vessels on Inland waters (Great Lakes service can apply but near coastal waters does not apply); AND
- 180 days of service must have been as while performing bridge watchkeeping duties while under the supervision of the master or a qualified officer ;
OR
- Graduation from the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, OR
- 360 days of service as master of Great Lakes or Inland vessels 200 GRT or more while holding an Officer endorsement as Master of vessels less than 1600 GRT.
Unlimited Tonnage
- All required service is on vessels 100 GRT or more, and
- 50% of the required service on vessels 1600 GRT or more
Written Exam GLI02
- Q100 Rules of the Road: Inland and International
- Q300 Rules of the Road: Inland
- Q308 Deck General
- Q309 Deck Safety
- Q310 Navigation General: Great Lakes and Inland
- Q311 Navigation Problems: Chart Plot
- Q312 Great Lakes Topics
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the National Mate Unlimited GL and Inland examination:
National Mate Unlimited GL and Inland include:
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.
National Mate Unlimited GL and Inland include:
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.
National Mate Unlimited GL and Inland include:
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.
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