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USCG Chief Engineer Requirements - Merchant Mariner Credential

Chief Engineer (Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine / MODU / OSV / STCW) General, Sea Service and Other Requirements by U.S. Coast Guard

The Chief Engineer is the manager of the engineering department and is responsible for the engine room’s efficient operation and the operation of all mechanical and Electrical machinery and instruments on board a ship.

The Chief Engineer shoulders the responsibility for safe and continued running of the ship. Like other seafaring roles, the Chief Engineer can often be onboard a ship for about 24 weeks at a time.

The Chief Engineer credential allows the holder to serve as Chief Engineer on vessels of any tonnage, any horsepower and on any waters. The credentials include:

USCG General Requirements for Chief Engineer

  • Age: 21 years of age.
  • U.S. Citizenship
  • TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Card)
  • Medical Certificate
  • Drug testing compliance (within 6 months)
  • Sea Service letters or discharges

USCG Other Requirements for National Chief Engineer

  • First Aid
  • Valid CPR
  • Approved Basic Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW BT is acceptable.
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW Advanced Firefighting is acceptable.
  • For STCW endorsements, approved training required (please refer appropriate sections below)

USCG Chief Engineer of Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine Requirements

  • A person holding an endorsement as Chief Engineer may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to 11.325 and 11.331.

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years with at 45 days on vessels of 4,000 HP or more.
  • 360 days of service as an 1st A/E, OR
  • 360 days of service while holding a MMC as 1st A/E, OF WHICH

    • A minimum of 180 days must have been as First Assistant Engineer, and the remainder must be as assistant engineer. AND
    • Service as an assistant engineer accepted on a 2 for 1 basis.

Propulsion

Holds: Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine
Requesting: Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine

  • At least 1/3 (120 days) of the minimum service requirements must have been on the particular mode of propulsion (steam, motor and/or gas turbine) for which applied;
  • OR, Completion of a Coast Guard approved course which meets sea service: Steam or Motor or Gas Turbine

Horsepower

  • Unlimited Horsepower: At least 50% of the required service on vessels of 4000 HP/3000 kW or more, OR
  • Limited Horsepower: Max HP that 25% of the required service was obtained or 150% HP on which at least 50% of the required service was obtained, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

USCG Chief Engineer (Limited) of Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine Requirements

  • A person holding an endorsement as Chief Engineer (Limited) may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.325 and 11.331

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days sea service in the past 3 years with at least 45 days on vessels of 4000 HP or more (deck service may be used for recency). Service gained in the deck department on vessels of at least 100 GRT may substitute for up to 25% or 180 days (whichever is less) of the required service (may be applied towards recency).
  • 1800 days of service in the engine room, OF WHICH

    • 720 days as an engineer officer while holding an engineer officer endorsement, AND
    • 900 days as a QMED or equivalent position.

  • Academy Graduates who are qualified for 3rd A/E per 46 CFR 11.516(a)(3) must submit:

    • 720 days as engineer officer while holding engineer officer endorsement
    • 180 days as QMED or equivalent (any licensed service may also meet this)
    • Horsepower and propulsion will be calculated using the 720 days as a licensed engineer. (360 days of 4,000 HP or more for unlimited, 240 days per propulsion requested).
    • Testing still required
    • The MSM allows Academy graduates to receive 1080 total credit with 720 days as QMED once 1 year as licensed engineer is submitted, the above is the delta

Propulsion

Holds: Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine
Requesting: Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine

  • At least 1/3 of the minimum service requirements must have been on the particular mode of propulsion (steam, motor and/or gas turbine) for which applied.
  • Completion of a Coast Guard approved course which meets sea service Steam or Motor or Gas Turbine

Horsepower

  • Unlimited Horsepower: At least 50% of the required service on vessels of 4000 HP/3000kW or more, OR
  • Limited Horsepower: Max HP that 25% of the required service was obtained or 150% HP on which at least 50% of the required service was obtained, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

USCG Chief Engineer of MODU Sea service Requirements

  • There is no STCW requirement for MODUs

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on any vessel and capacity

Chief Engineer MODU

  • Six years of employment assigned to MODUs including three years of employment as mechanic, motorman, subsea engineer, electrician, barge engineer, toolpusher, unit superintendent, crane operator or equivalent, WITH

    • Eighteen months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units (*see note), OR

  • Two years of employment assigned to MODUs as an assistant engineer (MODU), WITH Twelve months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units.
  • *Note: Propulsion assisted means the MODU has a propulsion plant, but it doesn’t have enough propulsion power to move the rig any significant distance without assistance from another vessel. It’s used to keep the MODU on station, but not to go from point A to B. The language highlighted is used in the regulations to distinguish these two types from a rig without a propulsion plant of any kind

Chief Engineer MODU Limited to Non Self-Propelled Units

  • If applicant successfully completes examination, AND possesses the total required sea service for endorsement as chief engineer (MODU) but does not possess the required eighteen months sea service onboard self-propelled or propulsion assisted units, the Coast Guard may issue the applicant an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units.
  • Note: The Coast Guard may remove the limitation upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of the required eighteen months sea service onboard self-propelled or propulsion assisted units

USCG Chief Engineer (OSV) Requirements

  • A person holding an endorsement as Chief Engineer (OSV) may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.325, 11.327, and 11.331.

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years with at least 45 days on vessels of 4,000 HP or more
  • 1440 days of total service in the engine room of vessels AND

    • 360 days of this service must have been as an engineer officer while holding an engineer officer endorsement AND
    • 720 days of the service must have been as QMED or equivalent position.

Propulsion

Holds: Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine
Requesting: Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine

  • At least 1/3 of the minimum service requirements must have been on the particular mode of propulsion (steam, motor and/or gas turbine) for which applied; OR
  • Completion of a Coast Guard approved course which meets sea service: Steam or Motor or Gas Turbine

Horsepower

  • Unlimited Horsepower: At least 50% of the required service on vessels of 4000 HP / 3,000 kW or more, OR
  • Limited Horsepower: Max HP that 25% of the required service was obtained or 150% HP on which at least 50% of the required service was obtained, WHICHEVER GREATER

STCW Chief Engineer 3,000 KW/4,000 HP or More Management Level Requirements

  • Mariner must hold the equivalent national endorsement.

Sea Service Requirements

  • 1080 days of service as OICEW on ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 KW/ 1,000 HP propulsion power or more; however,
  • This period may be reduced to not less than 720 days if the applicant has served for not less than 360 days as second engineer officer on ships powered by propulsion machinery of 3,000 kW/4,000 HP or more.

Assessments


Table: STCW Chief Engineer 3,000 KW/4,000 HP or More - Assessments Credits: USCG 

Approved Training (Unless Previously Met)

  • Engine Resource Management (ERM)
  • Leadership and Managerial Skills
  • Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment
  • Advanced Fire Fighting within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • Basic Training within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • Note: Unless previously met or excluded under notes above, mariner must meet OICEW assessments and training prior to qualifying for CE.

STCW Endorsement as Chief Engineer Officer of 3,000/kW/4,000 HP Propulsion Power or More
National Crossover

Chief Engineer 3,000 KW/4,000 HP or More
Table: STCW Chief Engineer 3,000 KW/4,000 HP or More - National Cross Overs Credits: USCG 

STCW Chief Engineer 750 kW/1,000 HP and 3,000 kW/4,000 HP Management Level Requirements

  • Mariner must hold the equivalent national endorsement.

Sea Service Requirements

  • 720 days of service on seagoing vessels powered by main propulsion machinery of not less than 750kW/1,000HP, of which not less than 360 days must be served while qualified as Second Engineer Officer (1st A/E). AND Provide evidence of meeting the requirements for certification as OICEW
  • Experience gained in the deck department may be creditable for up to 60 days of the total sea service requirements.
  • An engineer officer qualified to serve as Second Engineer Officer (1st A/E) on vessels powered by main propulsion machinery of 3,000 kW/4,000 HP or more, may serve as Chief Engineer Officer on vessels powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or more and less than 3,000 kW/4,000 HP provided the certificate is so endorsed.

Assessments


Table: STCW Chief Engineer 750 kW/1,000 HP and 3,000 kW/4,000 HP - Assessments Credits: USCG 

Approved Training (Unless Previously Met)

  • Engine Resource Management (ERM)
  • Leadership and Managerial Skills
  • Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment
  • Advanced Fire Fighting within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • Basic Training within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • Note: Unless previously met or excluded under notes above, mariner must meet OICEW assessments and training prior to qualifying for CE.

STCW Endorsement as Chief Engineer of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More and Less Than 3,000 kW/4,000 HP Propulsion Power
National Crossover

stcw ce 750kw national crossover
Table: STCW Chief Engineer 750 kW/1,000 HP and 3,000 kW/4,000 HP - National Crossover Credits: USCG 

Disclaimer: For general information purpose - please check with USCG for the latest requirements and accurate info