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By Christopher J. Edyvean

Most mariners seeking a career as a deck officer do not realize that one doesn’t have to look upon the high seas to find opportunity. A highly efficient regional shipping industry is found bustling along the freshwater shores of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York.

In contrast to the monotonous routine of a long ocean voyage, Great Lakes shipping presents the licensed deck officer with a variety of challenges, such as frequent docking and undocking, loading and discharging, and piloting up and down the scenic lakes and river systems of the “Inland Seas”.

Requirements
Unlike ocean and coastwise waters, the Great Lakes are shielded from the engulfing arm of the STCW world. To work in any capacity on the Great Lakes, a mariner will only need a TWIC card, U.S. Passport and Merchant Mariner Credential for their applicable rating or license.

In addition to the minimum requirement to hold an officer credential as Inland/Great Lakes Mate Any Gross Tons, mates on U.S. flagged Great Lakes vessels of over 1600 gross tons are required to be endorsed as a First Class Pilot upon the waters which their vessel operates.

To obtain these pilotage endorsements, one must first compile a record of observed trips upon the desired waters. This can be done while serving as a cadet, able-seaman, training mate or simply while engaged in an observing capacity.

Trip Documentation
As with any merchant marine credential, the prospective Great Lakes pilot must submit an application to the USCG (Toledo REC) which is to include a record of observed trips. This is commonly referred to as “Trip Verification”.

General requirements for pilotage can be found in 46 CFR 10.701-10.713. Also, Volume 3, Chapter 11 of the Marine Safety Manual adds that proper documentation of trips must include the date, route, time of day, name of vessel and tonnage of vessel and must be properly certified by the Master or pilot.

The American Maritime Officers union prints a Trip Verification Book which is usually available upon request for potential mates/pilots showing interest in their union. For an example of a trip verification form.

Twelve observed round trips are needed on each lake or river system in order to meet the minimum requirements for approval to take an exam, with a minimum of 25% of the trips observed during the hours of darkness and one trip in the six months preceding the application date to establish recency. A round trip must be a complete upbound and downbound passage of the entire body of water. A partial trip will not be counted.

Most mariners obtain their round trips by serving in the capacity of Able-Seaman (Wheelsman). It is in this manner that a mariner will gain the most practical experience. In times of higher demand for pilotage endorsed mates, many companies have been known to employ ocean mates in an observing capacity. Companies also are allowed by a USCG waiver to have one mate serving on board that does not have pilotage, commonly referred to as an “open waters” mate. However, without pilotage there is no job security, no chance of promotion, and little respect from the senior mates and Captain.

The scope (combination of lakes and rivers) of the pilotage route one must build may depend on their company’s requirements or the trade routes of a specific vessel. For example, most companies do not require that one obtain pilotage for Lake Ontario or the Welland Canal since most U.S. flagged Great Lakes vessels do not trade in those waters.

Examinations
A separate exam is required to obtain pilotage for each individual lake or river system, with each exam having three components: Local Knowledge (90%), Light & Shoals (70%), Courses & Distances (90%).

Regarding the chart sketches, exams can be somewhat divided into two categories, lakes or rivers. Chart sketches are done on a 22.5” x 17.5” paper called a “chartlet”, which is a miniature version much like the corresponding nautical chart, showing only a basic outline of the waterway. The chart sketch consists of the Lights & Shoals and Course & Distance segments of the exam.

For the Lights & Shoals portion of a Lakes exam, a series of lights will be assigned. The examinee must place the lights (or buoys) in the proper location on the chartlet and label each with the proper characteristics. For Course & Distance, a list of routes between ports or waterways (generally in an upbound or downbound direction) will be provided and must be properly plotted and labeled on the chartlet.

River exams are much more detailed. The test will instruct to draw either a complete upbound or downbound passage through the entire river system. Each course and distance must be precisely labeled and drawn with high accuracy, with a complete steering narrative. Every aid to navigation must be shown with its characteristics. In addition, notations must be provided detailing prevailing weather characteristics, VTS call-in points, speed limits, Federal Project Depths, anchorage areas, lock dimensions, bridge clearances, tug and pilot information, etc.

The Local Knowledge portion of any exam is a 20 question multiple choice test which will encompass a wide range of topics. Reference material is not allowed for any section of these exams.

Annual Physical Requirements
As per federal regulations, any mariner holding a First Class Pilot endorsement must submit a physical to the USCG annually.

Canada Restrictions
Mariners who have certain types of criminal backgrounds may experience denial of entrance into Canada. Most shipping companies will shy away from potential employees which may present this problem.

Those with Canadian entry problems will have to go through a type of “criminal rehabilitation” which could take years to resolve.

Finding a Job
Almost all deck officers aboard Great Lakes vessels are unionized workers, represented by IOMPP, AMO, MEBA or SIU. Most collective bargaining agreements between maritime unions and companies have established hiring hall procedures for initial employment or at least require union affiliation before hiring.

For a complete A-Z guide on obtaining Great Lakes pilotage, check out “Writing the License: Hawsepiper’s Guide to Great Lakes Pilotage”, available at www.hawsepipe.net.

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There are BIG CHANGES coming to the license endorsements in these sizes of vessels. Waivers for tug-boat and OSV licenses are going away soon. The Coast Guard issued a NPRM -Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in November 2009; this NPRM will make many license changes with the desire to make the merchant marine licenses and requirements comply with the IMO – International Maritime Organization rules.

The Coast Guard will allow you to renew your license but NOT upgrade without the OICNW endorsements after the new rules go into effect.

Some of the license changes will remove the 200 GRT and 500  GRT license categories. Licenses will go from 100 GRT to 1600 GRT and require you to have the OICNW endorsements.

OSV Captains and the new “OSV Chief Mate” will be hit twice, first with the need to be OICNW endorsed but ALSO “Management Level” …read “Chief Mate/Master training and assessments”.

OICNW merchant license endorsements will be required for most vessels over 100 GRT operating BEYOND THE DEMARCATION LINE. This means that the “Near Coastal” endorsement will go away, but a “Domestic voyage only” restriction is also in the works.

Captains and Mates will need formal training courses in each of the following topics:

• Terrestrial and Coastal NavigationCompasses Radar Observer
• Fire-fighting, Basic and Advanced
• ARPA – Automatic Radar Postioning Aids
• Electronic Navigation
• Celestial Navigation
• Basic Meteorology
• Basic Stability
• Cargo Handling and Stowage
• Medical First Aid Provider
• Basic Shiphandling
• Watchkeeping / Bridge Resource Management

Note: GMDSS is not required for your license, but may be needed if your ship is GMDSS equipped.

You will also need to complete Seventy-Eight (78) Assessments of Skill. Take a look at the NVIC links  at the bottom of the page for the Coast Guard official documents.  Most of the time the courses will include specific assessments, so make sure you get the complete list of courses and assessments for your use.

The OICNW training courses can be completed all at one time in about a six month period, or they can be spread out over a year or two.  Check with our advertisers on this site for OICNW courses in your area.

MarineDocuments.com recommends that you find out what rule changes are coming, educate yourself to the process and all the new requirements then let us help you build a personal training plan for you.

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New Versions of Coast Guard Medical Forms Are Now Available

We have reviewed the new Coast Guard Medical Forms and can say without question they are much better than the older version. Finally, as promised the Coast Guard National Maritime Center has improved the new “Evaluation of Fitness”  forms that are required for every mariner.

Entry-Level Merchant Seaman
Ordinary Seaman, Wiper and Food Handler — are NOT required to complete a physical examination, but they must have the agility, strength and flexibility to complete shipboard tasks as described on the new CG Medical Form CG-719K-E.

The New Merchant Mariner Evaluation of Fitness for Entry Level Ratings Form –  Download Here
The CG-719K-E form is only two pages long and can be completed by any Physician, Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner.

All Other Merchant Mariners
Applicants seeking an original, renewal or raise-in-grade credential are required to use the new CG-719K form. This CG medical form should be used by everyone EXCEPT the Ordinary Seaman, Wiper and Food Handler. Any physical completed on or after January 1st, 2010 must be on these new forms.

This new form Download Here better aligns with the Medical NVIC 04-08: Medical and  Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials — From this link you can also download a copy of the NVIC 04-08, enclosure 3 – for your doctors  to better document any issued that is noted on your form. NOTE: The better supporting documents from your doctor, the faster your examination is reviewed and approved by the Medical Branch of the USCG NMC.

This new CG medical form addresses Body Mass Index (BMI). This new requirement states that a person having over a 40% BMI to show their doctor … So if you are concerned about your BMI, get an unofficial BMI estimate at this website link.

Note: If the examining medical practitioner doubts the applicants ability to meet hte guidelines contained in the tables and ALL applicants with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40.0% or higher, the practitioner is required to  the applicant to DEMONSTRATE the ability to meet the guidelines, i.e. the medical practitioner may utilize alternative measures to satisfy himself or herself that the applicant possesses the ability to meet the guidelines in the third column. A description of the methods utilized by the medical practitioner should be reported in Section IX.

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Fast Track to Licensed Officer

Having been a Maritime Career Counselor for over ten years let me give you straight advice starting with Able Seaman to Mate. Currently there are only two places that we at know of where you can take all of the required courses all at one time or as you can schedule them. They are at MITAGs in Baltimore and PMI in Seattle.

AB to Mate requires you to get in the “Professional Training” mindset. This process is not easy but it is very rewarding both professionally and financially if you have the fortitude, patience and desire to advance to the position of “Mate”.

Everyone upgrading to Mate (500 GRT Ocean, 1600 GRT Near Coastal and 3rd Mate/2nd Mate unlimited, Oceans), are ALL required to complete the same training that includes:

• 1080 days of Sea-service
• 180 Days as an AB
• 180 of documented bridge watch-standing
• 13 Separate Courses of Mandatory Training:
  • Terrestrial Navigation
  • Coastal Navigation
  • Compasses
  • Electronic Navigation
  • Medical Care Provider
  • Meteorology Basic
  • RADAR Observer – Unlimited
  • Search and Rescue
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Ship Construction and Basic Stability
  • Watchkeeping and Bridge Resource Management
  • Advanced Fire-fighting
  • Celestial Navigation (not required for Near Coastal Endorsement Only)

• Optional Courses are needed if you are assigned to vessels with specific duties or equipment, they include:
  • Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
  • Tankerman Person-in-Charge (TPIC)
  • Medical Person-in-Charge (MED PIC)

Note: License Preparation Course is NOT required but is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

You will receive a completion certificate for each course that must be submitted to the Coast Guard along with your license application.

All of these courses are required to be “Coast Guard Approved”. This approval process ensures that each course meets the international certification process of the STCW-95. All of these requirements are in accordance with the STCW-95 requirements and are outlined in the U.S. Coast Guard Policy Letter 01-02.

• 78 Assessments of Competency (skill)
• Note: a copy of all Assessment Control Sheets may be downloaded and printed by clicking here.

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