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.

Related Posts

1. Maritime Entry Level | New to the Maritime Field
2. Maritime Training Schools
3. Abled Bodied Seaman – Best Track to Becoming a Licensed Officer

How Do I Choose A Maritime School?

When I look for a Maritime School to attend I don’t want to waste my money or my time at a school that will “sell” me a certificate, and NOT prepare me for the job or level of license I am working towards. I’ve always been told that the reputation of the maritime schools are hard earned. You get what you pay for is heard very often in the maritime training world. I believe it!

What kind of campus do you look for?

• I look for a school with an “open campus”. These schools train all merchant mariners. These schools provide the same world-class facilities, instructors, and instruction to everyone, no matter their affiliation, company or sector of the maritime industry?

How important is a schools reputation?

• Schools that have been around a long time have built their reputation in this industry by providing excellent training, professional, competent instructors and a clean, professional training environment in which to learn in.

Who should I ask about school?

• Ask the graduates of the schools if they would go back or go somewhere else. Did they waste their time and money nd did they learn what they needed to not only pass the exams, but also “Do the Job”!

How are Maritime Schools rated?

• All schools should be rated by the same standards that include:

Quality of the Facility

• Is it a real school or a hotel conference room?
• How long has the school been in the same location?
• When were it courses last updated? The “Approval Certificates”  should be displayed on there walls for everyone to see.

Quality of Equipment

• Do they use worn out equipment or supply new equipment and books? Take a look around the school, are the textbooks new, are the nautical charts used?
• Are the reference materials an official copy or are made from a copying machine?

Here are a few other signs to look for:

Quality of Instructors

• Are they “True Professionals” i.e. Captains with years of sea-service, experience and education?
• Are they Maritime Academy graduates or prior service military with extensive professional credentials or are they small boat skippers just working a part-time job?

Some schools will hire anyone they can get “approved to teach” their courses.

Contact vic@MarineDocuments.com for a list of Coast Guard Approved schools.

Related Posts

1. Maritime Training Schools
2. National Maritime Center Builds Maritime Credential Agent Program
3. Maritime Advanced Training | How To Get Ahead

We have to keep so many certificates and dates for STCW that I’ve finally had to put it on a excel spreadsheet.  Now the good news is that the FCC has changed the renewal requirements for GMDSS.    We’ll no longer have to fork out more money to the FCC.  Just make sure you read the following notice closely or review it directly from their website.

Prior to March 25, 2008, the license term for GMDSS Radio Operator’s Licenses, Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator’s Licenses, GMDSS Radio Maintainers Licenses, GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer Licenses, and Marine Radio Operator Permits was five years.

Any holder of a GMDSS Radio Operator’s License, Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator’s License, GMDSS Radio Maintainer’s License, GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer License, or Marine Radio Operator Permit that expired prior to March 25, 2008, must still file an application to renew the license or permit within the five-year grace period after expiration.

Any GMDSS Radio Operator’s License, Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator’s License, GMDSS Radio Maintainers License, GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer License, or Marine Radio Operator Permit that was active, i.e., had not expired, as of March 25, 2008, does not have to be renewed.

Related Posts

1. Officer In Charge of a Navigational Watch

Related Posts

No related posts were found, so here's a consolation prize: How to Get a Merchant Marine Document.

All maritime training schools are NOT the same. I highly recommend that you compare “Apples to Apples” when you start looking at schools. Some schools may not operated at the highest level when it comes to most importantly Quality of Instructors, Quality of training equipment and facilities.

With that being said, most courses of training can be grouped into  about 36 separate catagories, here is that list:

Each Mariners training requirements are individual to them, some things are the same, most are not the same. Your career goals as a merchant marine will determine what training you need, when you should take it and where you should take  your classes.

Make sure when you are contacting a maritime training school that you are not only getting the right course for your needs, but they also have the instructors, equipment and location to best meet your needs.

Related Posts

1. Maritime Schools – How Do I Choose?
2. Maritime Entry Level | New to the Maritime Field
3. Abled Bodied Seaman – Best Track to Becoming a Licensed Officer