USCG Tankerman Requirements - Merchant Mariner Credential

Tankerman PIC, Tankerman PIC Barge, Tankerman Assistant, Tankerman Engineer and Tankerman Restricted - General, Sea Service and Other Requirements by U.S. Coast Guard

A Tankerman (Tankerman PIC) is a seaman who is a qualified member of a crew of a tanker and oversees the transfer of liquid Cargo aboard oceangoing tankships or inland barges. They have to monitor the transfer of liquid cargo to and from the vessel to ensure it is done in a safe and efficient manner. A Barge tankerman (Tankerman PIC Barge) work on inland barges to transport liquid cargo up a river or canal.

Duties involve overseeing the transfer and transport of liquid cargo on a barge, ship, or specialized tankboat. The tankerman serves as the person-in-charge of critical operations, with responsibility for protecting the environment by ensuring the safe transfer of petrochemicals to barges. The main responsibility of a tankerman is to prepare and maintain the vessel that they are assigned to.

A Tankerman PIC endorsement is a certification that tankermen must have to oversee the process and storage of liquid cargo, like fuel or oil. Tankermen must be certified by the U.S. Coast Guard.

USCG Tankerman General Requirements
Tankerman PIC Requirements
Tankerman PIC (Barge) Requirements
Tankerman Assistant Requirements
Tankerman Engineer Requirements
Tankerman Restricted Requirements

A tankerman is a Coast Guard mariner credential and carries out and oversees the transfer and storage of liquid cargo such as fuel or oil

General Requirements for USCG Tankerman and Tankerman Restricted

Age: 18
U.S. Citizen or lawfully admitted permeant resident alien
Medical Certificate
Drug testing compliance

USCG Tankerman PIC Requirements

Sea Service & Training Requirements

Recency: 25% of qualifying service within 5 years of application, including 2 transfers where applicable
90 days service as a deck or engineering officer on one or more TANK SHIPS or self-propelled tank vessel certified to carry DL or LG as appropriate OR
90 days rating or cadet service on deck or engine department on TANK SHIP or self-propelled tank vessel certified to carry DL or LG as appropriate OR
90 days service on OSV’s in which the COI requires a Tankerman PIC or a licensed officer authorized to conduct or supervise transfers
Combination of service listed above. Service on ATB’s may be accepted. List of approved ATBs is on NMC website under Additional Resources, Documenting Sea Service, AND
Cargo Course completed within previous 5 years, DL or LG appropriate.
Cargo Transfers Required (see below).

USCG Tankerman PIC (Barge) Requirements

Sea Service & Training Requirements

60 days service (shore or vessel based) on tank vessels certified to carry DL or LG as appropriate; OR
180 days closely related service directly involved with tank barges; OR
60 days service only on OSVs in which the COI requires a Tankerman PIC or a licensed officer authorized to conduct or supervise transfers, AND
Cargo Course completed within previous 5 years, DL or LG as appropriate.
Cargo Transfers Required (see below).

Cargo Transfer Requirements

Cargotransper requirements for original Tankerman PIC and Tankerman PIC (Barge)

10 transfers of cargo (2 within five years of application), under supervision of a Tankerman-PIC or Tankerman-PIC (Barge), INCLUDING
5 loadings and 5 discharges, WITH
2 commencements and 2 completions of loadings, AND
2 commencements and 2 completions of discharge
A service letter signed by the owner, operator, master, of chief engineer of the vessel. The service letter must include:
- Name and official number of the vessel(s), dates of service for each vessel,
- Type of cargo, DL or LG except for Tankerman Engineer, and
- When transfers are required, the dates, number and kinds of transfers (loading or discharge), the ports or terminals, if applicable whether a commencement of or completion of transfer.
The record of transfers must indicate they were performed in accordance with 46 CFR 13.127(a), OR
Indicate demonstration of the following: pre-transfer inspections, pre-transfer conferences and the execution of the Declaration of Inspection, connection of the cargo hoses and/or loading-arms, the line-up of the cargo system for loading and discharge, the start of liquid flow during loading, the start of the cargo pump and increase of pressure to normal discharge pressure, the calculation of the loading rate(s), monitoring of the loading and loading rate, topping off of cargo tanks during loading and the stripping of cargo tanks, ballasting and de-ballasting, disconnection of the cargo hoses or loading-arms and securing of the cargo systems.

Notes

Transfers on OSV’s when the COI requires a Tankerman PIC or a licensed officer authorized to conduct or supervise transfers are acceptable for either Tankerman PIC or Tankerman PIC Barge.
Transfers may be accepted on approved ATB’s. List of approved ATB’s is on NMC website under Additional Resources, Documenting Sea Service.

If holding Tankerman PIC or Tankerman PIC Barge (DL or LG) and wanting the other cargo added

Provide one half of the service required as appropriate; AND
3 loadings & 3 discharges, INCLUDING
2 commencements and 2 completions of loadings, AND
2 commencements and 2 completions of discharge.

USCG Tankerman Assistant Requirements

Sea Service & Training Requirements

An approved tankerman course for the cargo sought within the previous 5 years; OR
90 days deck service on tank ship or self-propelled tank vessels certified to carry DL or LG as appropriate and successful completion of a USCG exam; OR
Qualified to be issued Tankerman PIC Barge will also be endorsed with Tankerman Assistant with the same cargo restriction. No exam required

If holding Tankerman Assistant (DL or LG) and wanting to add the other cargo:

An approved tankerman course for the cargo sought completed within the previous 5 years; OR
45 days deck service on tank ship or self-propelled tank vessels certified to carry DL or LG as appropriate and successful completion of a USCG exam

USCG Tankerman Engineer Requirements

Sea Service & Training Requirements

90 days service as an engineering officer in the engine department on tank ship or self-propelled tank vessel certified to carry DL or LG as appropriate OR
90 days rating or cadet service in the engine department on tank ship or self-propelled tank vessel certified to carry DL or LG as appropriate OR
Combination of service listed above (Total must be at least 90 days) AND
Cargo course completed within the previous 5 years, DL or LG appropriate

Firefighting Training

For all Tankerman Above (Not Required When Adding Additional Cargo Endorsement)

Dated within 5 years of application, unless previously submitted for a tankerman endorsement or officer endorsement on an MMC, OR;
Fire Fighting BT course dated within 5 years is acceptable OR;
Revalidation Course with qualifying sea service requirements OR;
BT Refresher Course. Must have met original BT Refresher

USCG Restricted Tankerman PIC Requirements

Restricted to specific cargoes, specific vessels, or groups of vessels (such as uninspected towing vessels and Oil Spill Response Vessels), specific facilities, and/or specific employers. Cannot cross OCMI Zones unless all OCMIs sign off on the approval.

Sea Service & Training Requirements

90 days service as a deck or engineering officer on one or more TANK SHIPS or self-propelled tank vessel certified to carry DL or LG as appropriate; OR
90 days rating or cadet service on deck or engine department on TANK SHIP or self-propelled tank vessel certified to carry DL or LG as appropriate; OR
90 days service on OSVs in which the COI requires a Tankerman PIC or a licensed officer authorized to conduct or supervise transfers, AND
Cargo Transfers Required (see below)
Note: Any combination of service listed above. Service on ATBs may be accepted.

USCG Restricted Tankerman PIC (Barge) Requirements

Service and transfers on MSC T-AOE and T-AKE vessels is acceptable

Sea Service & Training Requirements

60 days service (shore or vessel based) on tank vessels certified to carry DL or LG as appropriate; OR
180 days closely related service directly involved with tank barges; OR
60 days service only on OSVs in which the COI requires a Tankerman PIC or a licensed officer authorized to conduct or supervise transfers, AND
Cargo Transfers Required (see below)

Cargo Transfer Requirements

10 transfers of cargo (2 within 5 years of application), under supervision of a Tankerman-PIC or Tankerman-PIC (Barge), INCLUDING
5 loadings and 5 discharges, WITH
2 commencements and 2 completions of loadings, AND
2 commencements and 2 completions of discharge
Documentation of cargo transfers must include the information specified in 46 CFR 13.127(a).

Notes

Transfers on OSVs when the COI requires a Tankerman PIC or a licensed officer authorized to conduct or supervise transfers are acceptable for either Tankerman PIC or Tankerman PIC Barge.
Transfers may be accepted on approved ATBs

Holding Tankerman PIC or Tankerman PIC Barge (DL or LG) and wanting the other cargo added AND the OCMI approval allows

Provide one half of the service required as appropriate; AND
- 3 loadings & 3 discharges, INCLUDING
- 2 commencements and 2 completions of loadings, AND
- 2 commencements and 2 completions of discharge.

Firefighting Training

For Restricted Tankerman PIC & Restricted Tankerman PIC (Barge)

Dated within 5 years of application, unless previously submitted for a license, tankerman endorsement, or officer endorsement on an MMC, OR;
Fire Fighting BT course dated within 5 years is acceptable OR;
Revalidation Course with qualifying sea service requirements OR;
BT Refresher Course. Must have met original BT

Restricted Tankerman PIC (Barge) Restricted to Tank-cleaning and Gas-freeing Facility

Letter, dated within 5 years of application, on company letterhead from the operator of the facility stating OSHA considers the applicant a competent person and the applicant has knowledge necessary to supervise tank-cleaning and gas-freeing.
The letter must state the applicant is capable of speaking and understanding, in English, all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a transfer of cargo, and of reading and understanding the English found in the Declaration of Inspection, vessel response plans, and Cargo Information Cards.
The restriction is limited to the facility and location from which the letter originated, it must be a facility, not a training center or main office.
If per Sector Houston-Galveston per MSIB 13-22 - Must include 10 Transfers with at least 5 commencement of discharge and 5 conclusions of discharge. Loading are not applicable and transfers must be documented per 13.127.

Notes

Other OCMI approved Tank-cleaning and Gas-Freeing endorsements do not require transfers.
Firefighting is not required
The endorsement is limited to vessels within the boundary line and is not valid where STCW certification is required.

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

LAST UPDATED ON Sep 25, 2023