Maritime Advanced Training | How To Get Ahead

Why Seaman Need Advanced Training

Just like with any job to move up the ladder from where you are to where you want to be requires sea experience and Advanced Training. Nothing is given to you as a merchant marine, everything that you do and become is because you have earned it.

Ordinary Seaman, Wipers and Food Handlers, the bottom of the ladder need  advanced training to become Able Seamen, QMED’s and Stewards.

You will each need Basic Safety Training – five days of personal social  responsibilty, personal in-water survival, fire-fighting and first-aid.

When you have the sea time normally 180 to 1080 days of actual sea service you are then eligible to advance yourself and upgrade your MMC to the next higher level.

Able Seaman will also need Lifeboat or Survival-Craft Training, and if your on a tanker you may also need Tankerman -Person in Charge training and Basic/Advanced Fire-fighting. If you do NOT want to go to the Coast Guard and take the examinations for advancing to AB you may take a five day “AB Course” at an approved school instead.

Wipers will need to advance to either Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) or Qualified Member of the Engineering Department (QMED).

Food Handlers work their way to the Steward position. Each career pathway has it’s own particular requirements along the route. Talk to your shipmates and ships officers. Decide if one of these positions will be right for you.

The choices you make early can determine the rest of your career, Choose Wisely.