Step One
What Documents Do I Need to be a Merchant Marine?
There are three initial personal documents and some training that are needed by you to be a merchant marine. The documents include the following three items: a TWIC, a MMC and a Passport.
ENTRY LEVEL DOCUMENTS
First you will need to apply for and have issued to you a “TWIC”. This is a Transportation Workers Identification Credential. It is issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and is REQUIRED for you to be able to work in a port and/or aboard vessels without an escort. By May 15th, 2008 you will need to get the TWIC before you can get the next document on this list.
You can get this by going to the here. These links will allow you to pre-enroll for this credential and make an appointment to complete the enrollment process at a pre-enrollment center near you.
Second you will need a U. S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential or MMC. It’s like a passport with all your documents, licenses and STCW maritime related qualifications. The older version Merchant Marine Document (MMC or Z Card) is being phased out.
You can get his by going to the Coast Guard website and forward through to the Merchant Marine Credential Application. This form is “fillable-online”, i.e., complete the form then print the form. Make sure you print it because the Coast Guard WILL NOT save your work. Then download the other forms and instructions from the same webpage.
You will need to complete a physical examination, including a drug screening and a personal background check (a criminal background may prevent you from gaining this document). Take all the completed documents and required supporting documents to your nearest USCG region office or your “Trusted Agent” for processing.
Third, you will need a current and valid U. S. Passport. You can get a passport application at your nearest Post Office. They can tell you where to have it processed locally.
WHAT TRAINING DO I NEED?
ENTRY-LEVEL TRAINING
After you have the above listed documents there is some entry – level training still required. Basically, this training is required by EVERY merchant marine that sails on a vessel larger than 200grt or on a vessel that carries more than fifty persons aboard.
Remember “STCW” you are going to hear this a lot. STCW stands for “Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping- 1995” This is an international treaty that about 71 countries around the world have agreed to abide by. What this means to you is that there is REQUIRED training for EVERY merchant marine.
“STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) is four separate classes that take a full week to complete. These classes include: 1. Personal and Social responsibilities, Personal survival techniques (in water lifejacket, and liferaft training), hands-on fire-fighting training and basic first-aid.
The Basic Safety Training is currently required to re-certified every five years, as long as you are a merchant marine. Most maritime training schools charge between $850.00 and $1200.00 for this training.
WHERE CAN I GET THE TRAINING?
For a list of schools that offer this and other training take a look at our “Approved School” links.
Our list only includes schools currently “approved” by the U. S. Coast Guard to offer this training.
FINANCIAL AID FOR TRAINING
Each school will have its own policy and procedures about financial aid. As a general rule, FAFSA or other federal financial aid is NOT available for this training. Most maritime education schools are NOT required to be accredited like a college or university.
Many of our schools have partnered with private career loan providers to offer financial assistance to its students. Many classes may be eligible for GI Bill Veterans Administration educational benefits as well as many offer workforce development fund assistance. Please check with each schools licensing counselor for school specific information.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Do you want to be a Ships captain or a tugboat captain or yacht captain? Where you want to work and what special training you need determines the type of captain you can be.
This is where it would be very beneficial to speak to a “licensing consular”. Having honest, up-to-date advice along with a lot of common sense and experience will make your career path clear and concise.
