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USCG Assistant Engineer and Designated Duty Engineer Requirements - MMC

National Assistant and Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) General, Sea Service and Other Requirements by U.S. Coast Guard

Junior engineers of the engine department in a ship or a seagoing vessel, an Assistant Enginner (2nd Assistant Engineer, 3rd Assistant Engineer, Assistant Engineer Limited, Designated Duty Engineer, Assistant Engineer MODU, or Assistant Engineer OSV), is responsible (not limited to) for ship maintenance, engine maintenance, machinery repairs, assist the Chief Engineer, fueling, and more.

They are also responsible for Electrical, sewage treatment, lube oil, bilge, and oily water separation systems, stand a watch etc.

The exact duties of these positions will depend upon the type of ship or vessel and arrangement of the engine department.

General Requirements for Assistant Engineer

  • 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 Assistant Engineer (All)

USCG 2nd Assistant Engineer of Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine Requirements

  • Age: 21
  • A person holding an endorsement as 2nd assistant engineer may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.327, 11.329, and 11.333

Sea Service Requirements

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

    • 180 days of service as 3RD A/E, AND
    • QMED service calculated on a 2 for 1 basis up to maximum 180 days.

Propulsion (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/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 3rd Assistant Engineer of Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine Requirements

  • Age: 19
  • A person holding an endorsement as 3rd Assistant Engineer may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to 11.327, 11.329, and 11.333

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years with at least 45 days on vessels of 4,000 HP or more (deck service on vessels of 100 GRT or more may be applied towards recency)
  • 1080 days of service in the engine room WITH

    • 720 days as QMED or equivalent position;
    • 90 days of deck service on vessels of 100 GRT or more is creditable (may be applied towards recency), OR

  • 1080 days of service as an apprentice to the machinist trade engaged in the construction or repair of marine, locomotive, or stationary engines WITH 360 days service in the engine room as Oiler, Fireman/Watertender or Junior Engineer OR
  • Graduation from a Maritime Academy: USMMA (engineer curriculum), USCGA / USNA (with qualification as EWO or EO); Engineer class of California Maritime Academy, Maine Maritime Academy, State University of NY Maritime College, Texas Maritime College of Texas A&M University of Galveston, Massachusetts Maritime Academy or Great Lakes maritime Academy OR
  • Graduate of an ABET accredited school in marine engineering course WITH 90 days of service in the engine room of steam, motor, or gas turbine vessels OR
  • Graduate of mechanical or electrical engineering course of an ABET accredited school of technology, WITH 180 days service in the engine room of steam, motor, or gas turbine vessels, OR
  • Completion of an comprehensive apprentice engineer training program, approved by the Coast Guard, OR
  • 360 days service as assistant engineer (limited) and completion of the appropriate examination

Propulsion (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 Coast Guard approved training 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 Assistant Engineer (Limited) of Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine Requirements

  • Age: 19
  • A person holding an endorsement as Assistant Engineer (Limited) may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.327, 11.329, and 11.333

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years with at least 45 days on vessels of 4000 HP or more (deck service may apply) Service gained in the deck department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may substitute for up to 25% or 180 days (whichever is less) of the required service (may be applied towards recency)
  • 1080 days of service in the engine room, with 540 days as a QMED or equivalent position.

Propulsion (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 /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 Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) of Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine Requirements

  • Age

    • DDE AHP: 21 years
    • DDE 4000 /3000 kW: 19 years
    • DDE 1000/750 kW: 18 years

  • A person holding an endorsement as DDE may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.325, 11.327, 11.329, and 11.331

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels (deck service may apply). Service gained in the deck department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may substitute for up to 25% or 180 days (whichever is less) of the required service (may be applied towards recency).

DDE AHP

  • 1080 days of service in the engine room on vessels, with 540 days as a QMED or equivalent position
  • Academy Graduates holding both 3rd A/E and DDE 4,000 HP:

    • 180 days sea service as an licensed engineer officer; AND,
    • A letter of recommendation from the company in which served as a licensed engineer.

  • No additional examination is required

DDE 4000 HP /3000 kW

  • 720 days of service in the engine room on vessels, with 360 days as a QMED or equivalent position
  • Academy Graduates:

    • USCG Approved Training completed prior to graduation, may issue DDE 4,000 HP without additional examination. The propulsion will be based on the approved training; OR,
    • Academy graduate holding 3rd A/E may be issued DDE 4,000 HP without additional examination with:

      •  60 days sea service in any capacity in the engine room; OR,
      •  Completion of USCG Approved Training completed after graduation.

  • The propulsion will be based on the 60 days service or the approved training.

DDE  1000 HP / 750 kW

  • 360 days of service in the engine room on vessels, with 180 days as a QMED or equivalent position

Propulsion (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

USCG Assistant Engineer of MODU Requirements

  • Age: 19

Sea Service Requirements

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

Assistant Engineer of MODU

  • Present evidence of one of the following: Three years of employment assigned to MODUs including eighteen months of employment as mechanic, motorman, subsea engineer, electrician, barge engineer, tool pusher, unit superintendent, crane operator or equivalent, WITH

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

  • Three years of employment in the machinist trade engaged in the construction or repair of diesel engines AND

    • 1 year of employment assigned to MODUs in the capacity of mechanic, motorman, oiler, or equivalent. WITH
    • Nine months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units; OR

  • Degree from a program in marine, mechanical, or electrical engineering technology which is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). (NMC will give consideration to accepting education credentials from programs having other than ABET accreditation), AND

    • When applying through a degree program, six months of employment as mechanic, motorman, subsea engineer, electrician, barge engineer, tool pusher, unit superintendent, crane operator or equivalent aboard 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.

Assistant Engineer MODU Limited

Limited to non-self-propelled units

  • If applicant successfully completes an examination, AND possesses the total required sea service for an endorsement as assistant engineer (MODU), but does not possess the required nine 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 nine months self-propelled sea service

USCG Assistant Engineer OSV (Formerly Engineer OSV) Requirements

  • Age: 21
  • A person holding an endorsement as Assistant Engineer (OSV) may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to 11.329 and 11.333

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days engineer service in the past 3 years on vessels

Assistant Engineer OSV Unlimited HP

  • 1080 days of service in the engine department OF WHICH

    • 540 days of this service must have been as a QMED or equivalent position OR
    • 360 days of total service as part of an approved or accepted engineer (OSV) training program

Assistant Engineer OSV < 4000 HP/3000 kW

  • 720 days of service in the engine room, OF WHICH

    • 360 days of service must have been as a QMED or equivalent position

Assistant Engineer OSV <1000 HP/750 kW

  • 360 days of service in the engine room, OF WHICH

    • 180 days of service must have been as a QMED or equivalent position

Propulsion (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

USCG Examinations

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