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USCG National Chief Mate Requirements - Merchant Mariner Credential

U.S. Coast Guard National Chief Mate General, Sea Service and Other Requirements (Deck & OSV)

chief mate

The Chief Mate (Chief Officer or First Mate) is a licensed member and head of the deck department of a merchant ship. The chief mate is customarily a watchstander and is in charge of the ship's Cargo and deck crew.

The actual title used will vary by ship's employment, type of ship, nationality, and by trade. The chief mate is responsible to the Captain for the safety and Security of the ship. Responsibilities can include the crew's welfare and training in areas such as safety, Firefighting, search and rescue.

seagoing commercial ship

You may also read: USCG STCW Requirements for Chief Mate

General Requirements for Chief Mate

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

USCG Common Other Requirements for Chief Mate

  • 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

USCG Chief Mate of Steam & Motor of Unlimited Tonnage OC or NC Requirements

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of appropriate tonnage
  • 360 days of service as OICNW on Ocean/NC Great lakes steam or motor vessels while holding an endorsement as 2nd Mate
  • Note: Service towards an Oceans, NC endorsement will be credited as follows: Service on GL will be credited day for day; Service on inland waters, other than GL, may substitute for up to 50% of the total required service; Service on vessels to which STCW applies (inland or NC) will be credited day for day.

Unlimited Tonnage

  • All required service is on vessels of 100 GRT or more AND 50% of the required service is on vessels 1600 GRT or more or a tonnage limitation may apply

Tonnage Limitation

  • A Tonnage Limitation may be issued if 50% of the required service is not on vessels 1600 GRT or more; however, ALL required service MUST be on vessels 100 GRT or more).
  • Limited to max tonnage on which 25% of experience is obtained rounded up to the nearest 1,000 GRT, OR
  • Limited to 150% tonnage which 50% of service is obtained rounded up to the nearest 1,000 GRT, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. When the calculated limitation equals or exceeds 10,000 GRT, the applicant is issued an endorsement without a tonnage limitation.

Sail or Auxiliary Sail Endorsement

  • 360 days of deck service on sail or Auxiliary Sail vessels. (Note: Tonnage for Sail or Auxiliary Sail endorsements must be calculated separately)
  • Unlimited Tonnage: 360 days of deck service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels of 100 GRT or more, AND − 180 days on sail or auxiliary sail vessels of 1600 GRT or more, or − A tonnage limitation may be issued if 50% of the required service is not on vessels of 1600 GRT or more), AND,
  • Complete CG exam module for Auxiliary Sail or approved Auxiliary Sail course

USCG Chief Mate OSV Less Than OR More Than 1600GRT/3000GT

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency:
  • C/M OSV Less Than 1600 GRT: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of 100 GRT or more
  • C/M OSV Greater Than 1600 GRT: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of 100 GRT or more to include 45 days on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more.

Chief Mate OSV Less Than 1600 GRT/3000 GT

  • 360 days of service as mate, chief mate, or master of ocean or near-coastal and/or Great Lakes on self-propelled vessels of more than 100 GRT. NOTE: Service on Inland waters may substitute for up to 50% of the required service.

Chief Mate OSV More Than 1600 GRT/3000 GT (Not to Exceed 10,000GRT/GT)

  • 360 days of service as mate, chief mate, or master of ocean or near-coastal and/or Great Lakes on self-propelled vessels of more than 100 GRT, WITH At least 180 days of the required experience must be obtained on vessels of 1600 GRT/ 3000 GT or more or a tonnage limitation may be added
  • Note: Service on Inland waters may substitute for up to 50% of the required service

Tonnage Limitation

  • A Tonnage Limitation may be issued if 50% of the required service is not on vessels of 1600 GRT/3000 GT or more; however, ALL required service MUST be on vessels over 100 GRT.
  • Limited to max tonnage on which 25% of experience is obtained rounded up to the next 1,000 GRT/GT, OR
  • Limited to 150% tonnage which 50% of service is obtained rounded up to the next 1,000 GRT/GT WHICHEVER IS GREATER. Tonnage limitation on endorsement must not exceed 10,000 GRT/GT.

Chief Mate OSV valid on Tank Vessels

  • Meet requirements for STCW as Chief Mate OSV 10,000 GRT/10,000 GT
  • Successfully complete the examination for national endorsement for Chief Mate/Master Unlimited (non-trade restricted) for the appropriate route applied

Exams

  • Note: OSV Exams are different from other inspected officer exams. Except as noted here, all other must complete Master OSV exams.
  • Chief Mate OSV Less Than 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT: All applicants must successfully complete full examinations for this endorsement.
  • Chief Mate OSV of 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT or More: No additional testing required for those holding:

    • Master OSV Less Than 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT
    • Chief Mate OSV Less Than 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT

  • If NC OSV is held and oceans is requested, must completed the appropriate oceans exam for the endorsement sought.

Note: A person holding an endorsement as chief mate (OSV) may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.307 and 11.313.

USCG Chief Mate OSV Less Than or More Than 1600 GRT / 3000 GT Restricted to Liftboats Requirements

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 
  • Master OSV Less Than 1600 GRT: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of 100 GRT or more
  • Master OSV Greater Than 1600 GRT: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of 100 GRT or more to include 45 days on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more

Chief Mate (OSV) Restricted to Service on Liftboats Less Than 1600 /3000 GT

  • 360 days of service as mate, chief mate, or master of ocean or near-coastal and/or Great Lakes on self-propelled vessels of more than 100 GRT.

    • Service on Inland waters may substitute for up to 360 days of the required service

  • Service on Liftboats will be credited 1:1 or day for day without regard to whether the liftboat was underway or elevated at the time of service.

 Chief Mate (OSV) Restricted to Service on Liftboats 1600/3000 GT OR More (Not To Exceed 10000GRT/GT)

  • 360 days of service as mate, chief mate, or master of ocean or near-coastal and/or Great Lakes on self-propelled vessels of more than 100 GRT

    • Service on Inland waters may substitute for up to 50% of the required service
    • At least 180 days of the required experience must be obtained on vessels of 1600 GRT/ 3000 GT or more or a tonnage limitation may apply

  • For endorsements restricted to liftboats, service on Liftboats will be credited 1:1 or day for day without regard to whether the liftboat was underway or elevated at the time of service

Tonnage Limitation

  • A Tonnage Limitation will be issued if 50% of the required service is not on vessels of 1600 GRT/3000 GT or more; however, ALL required service MUST be on vessels over 100 GRT
  • Limited to max tonnage on which 25% of experience is obtained rounded up to the next 1,000 GRT/GT, OR
  • Limited to 150% tonnage which 50% of service is obtained rounded up to the next 1,000 GRT/GT WHICHEVER IS GREATER. Tonnage limitation on endorsement must not exceed 10,000 GRT/GT

Removal of Restriction to Liftboats

  • Liftboat service will be credited 1:1 or day for day when the vessel is underway. Liftboat service while the vessel is elevated will be credited 1:2 (1 day of credited service for 2 days served) for up to 50% of the required service.
  • Note: Service may also be credited as noted here for any deck officer endorsement.

Renewal

  • Liftboat service may be used for renewal of any deck officer endorsement and will be credited day for day without regard to whether the liftboat was underway or elevated at the time of service.

USCG Examinations

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

LAST UPDATED ON Sep 18, 2023