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USCG Chief Mate STCW Requirements - Merchant Mariner Credential

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

The STCW Convention and STCW Code set forth standards for training and certification for merchant mariners, including mariners serving as Master and Chief Mate on vessels of 500 GT or more and less than 3,000 GT. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) amended the STCW Convention and STCW Code in 2010. These amendments entered into force for all ratifying countries, including the United States, on January 1, 2012.

seagoing commercial ship

You may also read: International 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

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

 

  • Must hold or qualify for national endorsement as Chief Mate AGT Oceans/NC or Chief Mate OSV More than 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT

Sea Service Requirements

  • 360 days of service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal and/or Great Lakes

    • Note 1: 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.
    • Note 2: Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 30 days of the service requirements.
    • Note 3: 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


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 (Medical Care PIC course or endorsement meets)
  • 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.
  • 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

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

  • Must hold or qualify for any national endorsement as Master or Chief Mate of 200 GRT/500 GT or more

Sea Service Requirements

  • 360 days of service as OICNW on vessels more operating in oceans, near coastal and/or Great Lakes

    • 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


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
  • (Medical Care PIC course or endorsement meets)
  • 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.
  • 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

 

  • Mariner must hold the equivalent national endorsement unless otherwise specified

Sea Service Requirements

  • Must verify vessel type, tonnage, horsepower, propulsion and/or manning via MISLE. (Spreadsheet Optional)
  • 360 days of service as OICNW on vessels more operating in oceans, near coastal and/or Great Lakes

    • 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


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 Requirements

  • Mariner must hold equivalent national endorsement as otherwise specified

Sea Service Requirements

  • Must verify vessel type, tonnage, horsepower, propulsion and/or manning via MISLE. (Spreadsheet Optional)
  • 360 days of service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal and/or Great Lakes

    • 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


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

USCG Examinations

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

LAST UPDATED ON Sep 21, 2023