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This page contains information pertaining to the U.S. Coast Guard requirements for lower level deck licenses, merchant mariner's documents (MMDs), also called Z-Cards, and who must comply with STCW-95 and how to do it. (Scroll down to or "click" on the subject of interest in the table).
U.S. Coast Guard Deck and Deck Officer (Lower Level) Licenses
Requirements are:
Go to our Small Boat Tonnage Page for more information on estimating the Gross and Net Tonnage for your boat.
Master, Mate up to 100 Gross Tons: (When used for Foreign Voyages, must comply with STCW-95) Near Coastal (International)
Requirements for Master 200 GT are:
Requirements for Mate 200GT are:
Seafarer's Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention as amended in 1995 and the Standards for Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code (STCW-95) Who Must Comply With STCW-95? According to 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 15.1105(c), After June 31, 1997 on vessels over 200 gross tons sailing beyond the boundary line, and onboard a seagoing vessel, no person may assign a shipboard duty or responsibility to any person who is serving in a position that must be filled as part of the required crew compliment or who is
assigned a responsibility on the muster list, with designated safety and pollution-prevention duties. And, no person may perform any such duty or responsibility, unless the person performing it can produce evidence of having: Note: This could mean sailing a 24 GT vessel from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to the British Bahamas (a seagoing vessel on an international voyage), that the operator and crew should at least have Basic Safety Training.
Master, Mate up to 200GRT/500(ITC): (When used for Foreign Voyages, must comply with STCW-95) Near Coastal (International)
U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD) or Z-Card Requirements With an MMD or Z-Card, you may work in the Deck, Engineering, or Steward’s department of a ship depending on the type of Rating for which you apply. The Deck dept is concerned mainly with the navigation and operation of a ship. The Engineering dept is concerned mainly with the propulsion and maintenance of machinery on a ship. The Steward’s dept is concerned mainly with the supplies and food services of a ship. You may apply for an MMD at any of the 17 Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers (RECs). There are several requirements to satisfy including the completion of an USCG MMD application form (CG-719B), and payment of user fees: Application Evaluation $95 + Issuance $45 = Total $140 All mariners employed aboard U.S. merchant vessels greater than 100 Gross Register Tons (Domestic Tonnage), except operators of uninspected passenger vessels, are required to have a valid U.S. Merchant Mariner’s Document (MMD). With very few exceptions, the STCW only applies to mariners employed on vessels greater than 200 Gross Register Tons (Domestic Tonnage), or 500 Gross Tons (ITC Tonnage), operating seaward of the boundary lines, which are 3 miles east/west U.S. coast or 12 miles Gulf of Mexico. There are two types of endorsements on MMDs, first are the "Entry Level Ratings," {Ordinary Seaman (OS), Wiper, Stewards Department (SD)}. There are NOT any requirements that you have prior sea service, but you must just meet the minimum requirements such as, be at least 16 years old (under 18 must present written parental consent) & be able to speak and understand the English language, pass a physical fitness exam, a drug test, possess a social security number, have proof of identity, no felony convictions and it must be more than 3 years since any DUI convictions. The other type of MMD endorsements are the "Qualified Ratings," {Able Seaman (AB), Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED), Lifeboatman, Tankerman, and Engineer. To obtain a Qualified Rating you must be 18 years of age. There are other minimum service and training requirements that must be met for all MMD endorsed with a Qualified Ratings. Click on the following titles for the U.S. Coast Guard and/or STCW-95 requirements for the various MMD endorsements:
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