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USCG First Assistant Engineer Requirements - Merchant Mariner Credential

First Assistant Engineer or Second Engineer (Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine / STCW) General, Sea Service and Other Requirements by U.S. Coast Guard

Directly reporting to the Chief Engineer, a First Assistant Engineer (also called the Second Engineer) is a licensed member of the engineering department on a merchant vessel and in charge of the four to eight watch.

This title is used for the person on a ship responsible for supervising the daily maintenance and operation of the engine department. They also assign duties to unlicensed personnel and monitors and records overtime.

The first engineer may stand a watch if it is the ship’s protocol or in the event of a manned engine room. They are responsible for the proper operation, maintenance, and safety of all engine department machinery, equipment, and spaces for the conduct and performance of engine personnel and for economical use of consumable supplies and stores. The duties vary from contract to contract and from company to company.

USCG General Requirements for First Assistant 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 1st AE Engineer

  • First Aid
  • Valid CPR
  • Approved Basic & Advanced Fire Fighting course
  • Completion of a Coast Guard approved course

USCG First Assistant Engineer of Steam / Motor / Gas Turbine Requirements

  • A person holding an endorsement as first assistant engineer may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to 11.327, 11.331, 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 2nd A/E, OR
  • 360 days of service as a chief engineer (limited).

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

STCW Second Engineer (1st AE) 3,000 KW/4,000 HP or More Management Level Requirements

  • Mariner must hold the equivalent national endorsement unless otherwise specified

Sea Service Requirements

  • 360 days of service as OICEW on ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW/ 1,000 HP or more; OR
  • 360 days of service as a Chief Engineer on vessels powered by propulsion machinery of vessels between 750 kW/ 1,000 HP, and 3,000 kW/4,000 HP.

Competencies

Notes

  • Mariners holding an STCW endorsement as CE or 2EO valid on vessels other than OSV’s of 750 kW/,000 HP or more who are raising the grade of their
    endorsement to CE for 750 kW/1,000 HP or more for the same propulsion mode will not be required to submit assessments. Adding new propulsion requires assessments for the mode sought.
  • Operational-level assessments are not required if the mariner holds or has previously held an STCW endorsement as OICEW, 2nd EO, CE for 1,000HP or
    more, (not to include OSV) issued after 1997 and in the same propulsion mode. Adding new propulsion requires assessments for the mode sought.
  • Operational-level assessments and training are required if the mariner has not held an STCW endorsement as OICEW, 2nd EO, or CEO for 750Kw/1,000HP or more issued after 1997. As applicable to each propulsion mode. Adding propulsion requires assessments for the mode sought. Complete OICEW Checklist.

Approved Training (Unless Previously Met)

  • Engine Resource Management (ERM)
  • Leadership and Managerial Skills
  • Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment
  • Valid Advanced Fire Fighting within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • Valid Basic Training within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • Unless previously met or excluded under notes above, mariner must meet OICEW assessments prior to qualifying as Second Engineering Officer (1st AE).

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


   Table: National Crossover for STCW SE 3000kW  Credits: USCG 

STCW Second Engineer (1st AE) 750 kW/1,000 HP and 3,000 kW/4,000 HP Sea Service Requirements

  • Mariner must hold the equivalent national endorsement

Sea Service Requirements

  • 360 days of service as assistant engineer officer or engineer officer on vessels powered by main propulsion machinery of not less than 750 kW/1000 HP; AND
  • Experience gained in the deck department may be creditable for up to30 days of the total service requirements.

Assessments

Pic Credits: USCG

Approved Training (Unless Previously Met)

  • Engine Resource Management (ERM)
  • Leadership and Managerial Skills
  • Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment
  • Valid Advanced Fire Fighting within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • Valid Basic Training within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
  • Unless previously met or excluded under notes above, mariner must meet OICEW assessments prior to qualifying as Second Engineering Officer (1st AE).

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


Table: National Crossover for STCW SE 750kW  Credits: USCG 

USCG Examinations

  For more details on STCW Second Engineer requirements, please visit our STCW section

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