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USCG Chief Mate Requirements - Merchant Mariner Credential

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U.S. Coast Guard and STCW Endorsement General, Sea Service and Other Requirements for Chief Mate

chief mate

The Chief 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: Intewrnational Maritime Organisation (IMO) 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 (except STCW)

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

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: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of appropriate tonnage

LESS THAN (<) 1600 /3000 GT><)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 50% of the required service

MORE THAN (>) 1600/3000 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. 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.

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 Master 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

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

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of appropriate tonnage

Chief Mate (OSV) Restricted to Service on Liftboats LESS THAN (<) 1600 /3000 GT><) 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 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 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.
  • 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.

Other Requirements

  • Approved Basic and Advanced Fire Fighting Course

USCG STCW II/2 Chief Mate 3000 GT or More Management Level Requirements

Sea Service Requirements

  • 360 days of service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal and/or Great Lakes
  • Note(s): Service on inland waters, bays, or sounds that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 30 days of the service requirements. Service as a rating will not be accepted to upgrade from operational level to management level STCW endorsements.
  • If holding STCW as Chief Mate of 500 GT and more and less than 3000 GT, IAW 11.313, are eligible to apply for this endorsement upon: Completion of 180 days of sea service under the authority of the endorsement as Chief Mate between 500GT or more and less than 3000GT; AND Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in section A-II/2 of STCW Code for Chief Mate 3,000 GT or More in Enclosure (2) of NVIC 10-14 (not previously completed); approved training listed below (if not previously completed).

Assessments

cm 3000gt assessmentt
Table: STCW Chief Mate 3000 GT or More Management Level - Assessments Credits: USCG 

Additional Training

  • Advanced Ship Handling
  • Advanced Stability
  • Advanced Meteorology
  • Leadership and Managerial Skills
  • Search and Rescue
  • Management of Medical Care
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • Basic Training within 5 years of application or continuing competencies

Optional Training

  • RADAR - valid approved radar observer course (if previously met, it is not required however if not current, do not place RADAR on the MMC)
  • ARPA (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment) - if not provided mariner will have a limitation on his endorsement
  • GMDSS (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment)
  • ECDIS (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment) - if not provided mariner will have a limitation on his endorsement

STCW Endorsement National Crossover

cm stcw 300gt national crossover
Table: STCW Endorsement as Chief Mate on Vessels of 3,000 GT or More - National Crossover Credits: USCG 

USCG STCW II/2 Chief Mate 500 GT and More and Less Than 3000 GT Management Level Requirements

Sea Service Requirements

  • 360 days of service as OICNW on vessels more operating in oceans, near coastal and/or Great Lakes
  • Notes: Service on inland waters, bays, or sounds that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 30 days service requirements. Service as a rating will not be accepted to upgrade from operational level to management level STCW endorsements.

Assessment

cm 3000gt assessment
Table: USCG STCW II/2 - Chief Mate 500 GT and More and Less Than 3000 GT - Assessments Credits: USCG 

Additional Training

  • Advanced Ship Handling
  • Advanced Stability
  • Advanced Meteorology
  • Leadership and Managerial Skills
  • Search and Rescue
  • Management of Medical Care
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • Basic Training within 5 years of application or continuing competencies

Optional Training

  • RADAR - valid approved radar observer course (if previously met, it is not required however if not current, do not place RADAR on the MMC)
  • ARPA (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment) - if not provided mariner will have a limitation on his endorsement
  • GMDSS (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment)
  • ECDIS (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment) - if not provided mariner will have a limitation on his endorsement

STCW Edorsement National Crossover

stcw cm 500gt national crossover
Table: STCW Chief Mate on Vessels of 500 GT or More and Less Than 3,000 GT - National Crossover Credits: USCG 

USCG STCW II/2 OSV Chief Mate 500 GT and More and Less Than 3000 GT Management Level Requirements


Sea Service Requirements

  • 360 days of service as OICNW on vessels more operating in oceans, nearcoastal and/or Great Lakes
  • Notes: Service on inland waters, bays, or sounds that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 30 days service requirements. Service as a rating will not be accepted to upgrade from operational level to management level STCW endorsements.

Assessment and Additional Training

stcw osv cm 500gt assessment additional training
Table: USCG STCW II/2 OSV Chief Mate 500 GT and More and Less Than 3000 GT - Assessment & Additional Training Credits: USCG 

Optional Training

  • RADAR - valid approved radar observer course (if previously met, it is not required however if not current, do not place RADAR on the MMC)
  • ARPA (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment) - if not provided mariner will have a limitation on his endorsement
  • GMDSS (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment)
  • ECDIS (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment) - if not provided mariner will have a limitation on his endorsement

USCG STCW II/2 OSV Chief Mate 3000 GT or More Management Level Requirementsl Requirements

Sea Service Requirements

  • 360 days of service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal and/or Great Lakes
  • Note(s): Service on inland waters, bays, or sounds that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 30 days of the service requirements. Service as a rating will not be accepted to upgrade from operational level to management level STCW endorsements.
  • If holding STCW as Chief Mate of 500 GT and more and less than 3000 GT, IAW 11.313, are eligible to apply for this endorsement upon: Completion of 180 days of sea service under the authority of the endorsement as Chief Mate between 500GT or more and less than 3000GT; AND Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in section A-II/2 of STCW Code for Chief Mate 3,000 GT or More in Enclosure (2) of NVIC 10-14 (not previously completed); approved training listed below (not previously completed).

Assessment

cm osv 3000 gt assessment
Table: USCG STCW II/2 OSV Chief Mate 3000 GT or More Management Level Requirements - Assessment Credits: USCG 

Additional & Optional Training

  • Advanced Stability
  • Advanced Meteorology (oceans endorsement only)
  • Leadership and Managerial Skills
  • Search and Rescue
  • Management of Medical Care
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • Basic Training within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • RADAR - valid approved radar observer course (if previously met, it is not required however if not current, do not place RADAR on the MMC)
  • ARPA (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment) - if not provided mariner will have a limitation on his endorsement
  • GMDSS (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment)
  • ECDIS (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment) - if not provided mariner will have a limitation on his endorsement

 

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