St. Petersburg, Florida

Phone: (727) 209-1811 Toll Free: 1-800-581-5509

NOTICE:  Effective April 15, 2009 the U.S. Coast Guard will not process any applications for original or renewal of a license or document to be endorsed in the new Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) unless that mariner also possesses a Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC) card or has proof that they have applied for a TWIC card.  Please go to our Useful Links page for information regarding obtaining your TWIC card.  

This page contains information pertaining to the U.S. Coast Guard requirements for lower level deck licenses, merchant mariner credentials (MMC) 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

Effective April 15, 2009 the U.S. Coast Guard will not process any applications for original or renewal of a license or document to be endorsed in the new Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) unless that mariner also possesses a Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC) card or has proof that they have applied for a TWIC card.  Please go to our Useful Links page for information regarding obtaining your TWIC card.   

• Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) or 6-Pack License:

  This license has long been the most popular license issued by the Coast Guard. Carrying not more than 6 passengers for motor or sail vessels. License good for 100 miles offshore.  The Requirements for Near Coastal (100 miles offshore) otherwise you can get an Inland OUPV license are:

• 360 Days of boating experience with 90 days of that time offshore (beyond the U.S. territorial boundary line for Near Coastal). 
• Free of drug or felony convictions in the past 3 years.
• First & CPR.
• Physical Exam with eyesight 20/200 or 20/400 with waiver corrected to 20/40.
• Drug Test.
• TWIC Card or proof of application for a TWIC Card.

• Master of Vessels of 25, 50 or 100 Gross Tons License:

      Requirements are:

• 720 Days of boating experience with 360 days of that time offshore (beyond the U.S. territorial boundary line for Near Coastal). 
• Free of drug or felony convictions in the past 3 years.
• First & CPR (original license).
• Physical Exam with eyesight 20/200 or 20/400 with waiver corrected to 20/40.
• Drug Test.
• TWIC Card or proof of application for a TWIC Card.   

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)

• Take the Basic Safety Training Program: 4 modules, 5 days
• Passenger vessels carrying +12 passengers - Crowd Management & Crisis Management/Human Behavior.

• Master & Mate of Vessels of 200 Gross Tons and 500 GT (International Tonnage) Licenses:

        Requirements for Master 200 GT are:

•         Near Coastal - One year (360 days) of service must have been   as a master,   mate, or equivalent supervisory position while holding a license as a master, or as a mate.
•     Inland/Great Lakes Six (6) months (180 days) of service must have been as a master, mate, or equivalent supervisory position while holding a license as a master, or as a mate.
• Physical Exam (if more than 3 years since last application )and Drug Test.   

        Requirements for Mate 200GT are:  

•      12 months (360 8-hr days or 240 12-hr days) total service in the deck department on vessels operating on ocean or near coastal waters.

- Service on Great Lakes or Inland waters may substitute for up to 6 months (180 8-hr days or 120 12-hr days) of the required service or;

- Three months of service in the deck department on vessels operating on ocean, near coastal, Great Lakes, or Inland waters while holding a license as master of inland steam or motor, sail or auxiliary sail vessels of not more than 200 gross tons.

• Free of drug or felony convictions in the past 3 years.
• First & CPR (if original license).
• Physical Exam with eyesight 20/200 or 20/400 with waiver corrected to 20/40.
• Drug Test.
• TWIC Card or proof of application for a TWIC Card.  

46 CFR 10.422 - Tonnage limitations and qualifying requirements for licenses as master or mate of vessels of not more than 200 gross tons.

When all qualifying service is obtained on vessels of five gross tons or less, the license will be limited to vessels of not more than 25 gross tons.

All licenses issued for master or mate of vessels of not more than 200 gross tons are issued in 50 gross ton increments based on the applicant’s qualifying experience. The license is limited to the maximum tonnage on which at least 25 percent of the required experience was obtained, or 150 percent of the maximum tonnage on which at least 50 percent of the service was obtained, whichever is higher. Limitations are in multiples of 50 gross tons using the next higher figure when an intermediate tonnage is calculated.

Master or Mate Near Coastal 200GRT/500 ITC (8-hour days)
If 180 days is over 100 GRT	will get 150 GRT
If 360 days is over 67 GRT	will get 150 GRT
If 180 days is over 150 GRT	will get 200 GRT
If 360 days is over 100 GRT	will get 200 GRT

If applicant can only get a 150 GRT license, how does the tonnage get increased to 200 GRT?

(1) Mate License - At least 45 days of additional service on deck on a vessel of a higher tonnage.

(2) Master License - At least 90 days of additional service on deck on a vessel of a higher tonnage.

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:
         1. Received appropriate approved basic safety training or instruction as set out in the standards of competence under STCW Regulation VI, with respect to personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire-fighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibilities; and
         2. Achieved, or if training has been completed, maintained competence within the last 5 years, in accordance with STCW regulation VI.

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)

• Basic Safety Training Program (4 modules) (station bill may require Advanced Fire Fighting)
• Bridge Resource Management Program
• Medical First Aid Provider or Medical Care Person In Charge
• Proficiency in Survival Craft & Lifeboats or Rescue Boats (any level)
• Passenger vessels carrying +12 passengers - Crowd Management & Crisis Management/Human Behavior.

Apprentice Mate (Steersman) & Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels

The following table shows progression of the Apprentice Mate (Steersman) & Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels for Inland and Near Coastal Routes:

To Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Towing Vessels - 18 months service; pass USCG Apprentice Mate exam or #2. above ; 12 months on towing vessels; and 3 months on route(s).

1st Class Pilot or Mate of more than 200GRT to Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels - Minimum of 30 day of training & observation on route(s); exam as necessary; TOAR or Approved Course.

Effective October 14, 2008 NEW RULE:

Master of 200GRT or Less to Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels: (1) Proof of 36 months of service as Master under the authority of the license; (2) minimum of 30 day of training & observation on route(s); (3) successfully completed TOAR; (4) complete the appropriate apprentice mate (steersman) exams or completed an approved apprentice mate (steersman) course.

U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) requirements

 Effective April 15, 2009 the U.S. Coast Guard will not process any applications for original or renewal of a document to be endorsed in the new Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) unless that mariner also possesses a Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC) card or has proof that they have applied for a TWIC card.

With an issued MMC as endorsed either an unqualified rating or qualified rating, 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 MMC at any of the 17 Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers (RECs). There are several requirements to satisfy including the completion of an USCG 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 Credential (MMC).  Also, now all mariners must posses a Transportation Workers Identity Credential (TWIC) card. 

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 several types of endorsements on the MMC, 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 MMC 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 MMC endorsed with a Qualified Ratings.  Click on the following titles for the U.S. Coast Guard and/or STCW-95 requirements for the various MMC endorsements:      

• Ordinary Seaman (OS)
• How Does an Ordinary Seaman Comply With STCW-95
• Able Seaman
• How Does an Able Seaman Comply With STCW-95
• Lifeboatman
• How Does a Lifeboatman Comply With STCW-95
• Tankerman DL (Tank Ship) PIC or Tankerman (Barge) PIC
• How Does a Tankerman Comply With STCW-95