I am an aspiring engineer, but I will not have the required sea time to upgrade to 3A/E before 2017. I am concerned about the additional requirements that will go into effect at that time but have been unable to find any solid information. If you have info on the subject I would really appreciate it.
I will be upgrading to DDE1000 when i finish my current voyage next month and I hold junior, reefer, electrician, oiler, lifeboatman, fireman/watertender, and RFPEW endorsements but I am worried about a potential career dead end after 2017. I would be grateful for any insights that you might have.
If you won’t have the time by then there really is nothing to worry about. I may be missing something but that date refers to STCW requirements that come into full effect and what you’ll need for getting STCW endorsement on your document/license.
Are you now employed based on any STCW endorsement? If not and you will continue with that industry sector, I would say there is not much to be concerned with. If you you foresee being employed where STCW is required you will have to do what everyone else has done. Get the endorsement. In addition to accumulating sea time you will have to study for the test and take courses that document you have received required training. If that is what you are “aspiring” to don’t be concerned, just get it done. Hey I have to do the same things after 40 years. Because my latest renewal (this year) is before there are even some of the required courses being offered, I now have to catch up over the next two years and take courses concerning leadership and engine resource management and management of electrical and electronic control equipment. Even though my new national license is good for 5 years the STCW endorsement will expire end of 2016. My job does require STCW but I am not concerned, I just have to get these courses done and certs submitted to the USCG. If your employer will reimburse you so much the better but even if not that is a cost of maintaining our documents. If you need STCW and need to take course to get the certs required start saving now to pay for them.
I wish you good luck on your engineering journey. Good engineers will always find a job. If you want something to be concerned about continue to improve your technical skills and knowledge. Become a better problem solver and troubleshooter. Understand how to read a drawing and what’s going on inside the the machines and systems you are responsible for.
[QUOTE=Takeomark;146636]I am an aspiring engineer, but I will not have the required sea time to upgrade to 3A/E before 2017. I am concerned about the additional requirements that will go into effect at that time but have been unable to find any solid information. If you have info on the subject I would really appreciate it. I will be upgrading to DDE1000 when i finish my current voyage next month and I hold junior, reefer, electrician, oiler, lifeboatman, fireman/watertender, and RFPEW endorsements but I am worried about a potential career dead end after 2017. I would be grateful for any insights that you might have.[/QUOTE]
First, the license and STCW are separate. You can get any license without getting a corresponding STCW endorsement. So you can still get 3rd AE after December 31, 2016, with the same requirements that were in the old rules. But you may need an STCW endorsement as Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OICEW) in order to get work as a 3rd AE.
You might be able to avoid the increased training and assessment for OICEW that takes effect on January 1, 2017, if you can go to DDE 4000 before January 1, 2017. If you can get the sea time needed for DDE 4,000 bfore January 1, 2017, apply for that and OICEW 1,000 HP or More - this is the same STCW endorsement that corresponds to 3rd AE. By getting this STCW endorsement before January 1, 2017, you can avoid most of the new requirements. Say that you are applying for OICEW under the rules and policies in place before March 24, 2014. You will need STCW Basic Safety Training, but until December 31, 2016, but that might be all. Although STCW requires 3 years sea time for OICEW (the same as 3rd AE) I believe (but am not sure) that NMC was issuing OICEW if you held DDE 4,000. If so, then you can get that with only BST and Advanced Firefighting. Then, if you upgrade to 3rd AE after January 1, 2017 you should only need to take courses for Engineroom Resource Management and Leadership and Teamworking Skills.