Most of the foreign vessel that are diesel electric have “electricians” and a document is usually issued by their flag state maritime authority, and this is a stated requirement on the Safe Manning Certificate. I am trying to find out if there is a cross-over equivalent issued by the Coast Guard. I’m not sure there is, as this in an independent discipline that usually takes several years of school. It’s not like an engineer can go take a class and get an endorsement to be an electrician. He would have to attend that same required course work that the electrician did. I am looking to crew a vessel with US documented workers, with US credentials, but I have no idea how this particular position will be filled by meeting the flag state requirement being an American with a MMC. Any guidance?
There used to be a QMED Electrician rating. MSC had them I know.
[QUOTE=tengineer;47471]There used to be a QMED Electrician rating. MSC had them I know.[/QUOTE]
There still is an electrician rating. However, there is generally a big difference between a QMED electrician and what the Europeans consider an electrician so far as training and capabilities are concerned.
No disrespect intended to the many SIU and MFOW electricians who are competent but there are damn few who would meet the academic and training standards demanded by the manufacturers and operators of modern electric propulsion plants and integrated shipboard electrical systems.
[QUOTE=Steamer;47472]There still is an electrician rating. However, there is generally a big difference between a QMED electrician and what the Europeans consider an electrician so far as training and capabilities are concerned.
No disrespect intended to the many SIU and MFOW electricians who are competent but there are damn few who would meet the academic and training standards demanded by the manufacturers and operators of modern electric propulsion plants and integrated shipboard electrical systems.[/QUOTE]
True. There are actually not that many qualified technical propulsion electrical people in the US, period.
Anchorman’s best hope may be to get ex Navy types and send them to the manufacturers’ schools. Don’t know exactly what the situation is but if it’s in the GOM and it’s just to fill a manning slot they may put a QMED electrician on and figure if anything serious comes up they’ll fix it when they get to shore. What kind of vessel is coming out that requires a electrician Anchorman? Times must be a changin’ down in the patch.
tengineer
Wondering what is the job of a QMED-Electrician like on a deep-sea ship? Types of work peformed, etc?
[QUOTE=SaltySailor;47477]Wondering what is the job of a QMED-Electrician like on a deep-sea ship? Types of work peformed, etc?[/QUOTE]
It is usually combined with the reefer job on a boxboat these days. Lots of maintenance on winches, chasing grounds, lighting, motor maintenance. It is a challenging and interesting job for someone with talent and good skills. A reefer electrician keeps pretty busy with keeping boxes running and cords intact, lots of overtime. I’ve always considered it the best of the unlicensed jobs.
When I set for my electricians endorsement 40 years ago, I only had to show 6 months engine room time and test at the CG. When I set for my 2nd Asst, my z-card was endorsed for “any unlicened rating in engine room”. I think thats given to limited licensees now.
Salty Sailor, after you finish your UA program and if you decide to go to the engine room, the SIU has a series of electrical and reefer courses you can take. Electricians don’t sit in the hall very long. An electrician I sailed with years ago, used his skills and certs from advanced container maintenance to land a shore job with ILA. A great job.
A Retired/Ex Navy Electricians Mate with a wiper MMD wouldn’t be too hard to find.
REQUIREMENTS FOR AN MSC ELECTRICIAN:
[LEFT]Minimum
Eligibility
Requirements:
Must be a United States Citizen of at least 18 years of
age and possess and maintain a valid:
- U. S. Passport with a minimum of 7 months
remaining of expiration date, - United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant
Mariner’s Document (MMD), or Merchant Mariner
Credential (MMC), with a minimum of 10 months
remaining of expiration date with the following
endorsement(s): Electrician, or Qualified Member
of the Engine Department “QMED”, Any Unlicensed
Rating in the Engine Department. - Transportation Worker Identification Credential
(TWIC) card with a minimum of 10 months remaining
of expiration date.
Evaluation
Criteria:
Applicants who meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements
described above will be further evaluated. Documented
knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs), education,
training, and awards contained in the application package
and resume will be reviewed and rated to determine the
degree to which applicants possess the required KSAs
listed below that are essential to perform the duties and
responsibilities of the position for which applicants are
being considered. - Knowledge and skill in the use of electrical meters,
test instruments and electrical troubleshooting
equipment to properly maintain, repair and operate
equipment and machinery. - Skill in the use of hand tools and shipboard power
tools. - Skill in the use of and the ability to read and
interpret technical manuals, blue prints, and
electrical schematics.
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=2]3
[/SIZE][/FONT]4. Ability to plan, organize, communicate, and
supervise the work of others and demonstrated skill
in the ability to use common MSC computer[/LEFT]
applications such as MS-Office, SAMM, LogBook, etc.
There is a huge difference between an electrician, a reefer box electrician and a diesel electric propulsion electrician.
QMED or Engineer could easily fill the first 2 slots.
Diesel Electric Propulsion technician is a completely different skill set.
It is a Construction Vessel, DP-3, all Variable Frequency Drives, 6600 volts. Safety Manning of Flag state requires an electrician, one that also has “high Voltage certification”. This spot will have to be filled. Generally, this is a mariner with station bill duties. This position has to be filled by a US mariner, but I don’t think we have created such an animal in the US, to the level that the flag state is requiring. That will be a problem crossing over to get the right endorsement.
The electrician onboard has a room as big as the Chief Engineer and only reports to him. This position is held in high regard, obviously.
[QUOTE=anchorman;47490] That will be a problem crossing over to get the right endorsement.[/QUOTE]
Get a MEBA guy who has been through the electrical courses.
[QUOTE=anchorman;47490]This position has to be filled by a US mariner, but I don’t think we have created such an animal in the US, to the level that the flag state is requiring .[/QUOTE]
What flag is this? Color me confused but foreign flag states don’t put nationality on the safe manning document, they put the level of certification required. Is the nationality thing a company requirement?
If an electrician is on the document then it also means that person has to hold a certificate or an endorsement issued by the flag state. If the flag state issues an endorsement to the holder of a USCG electrician’s document then safe manning is satisfied.
A “factory trained” guy from Siemens or wherever who has BST and a medical cert should be able to fill the position as well since the electrician rating is pretty loosely defined by most maritime authorities. As you have already noted, the electrician outside the US pecking order is essentially an unlicensed officer. The rest of the world is going toward the ETO or Electro Technical Officer for that role and most of the nautical schools are providing specialist electrical training in their engineer license courses. I suggest headhunting a MEBA guy who has taken all the electrical courses at CMES, He or she has already had exactly what the Europeans are heading toward. For once we have beat them in the training game.Other than that, look for an industrial electrician with marine propulsion drive experience and send him to BST classes. As long as he has factory training or formal education in electrical engineering flag should have no problem issuing an endorsement. When all else fails, ask flag what they want.
[QUOTE=Steamer;47492]What flag is this? [/QUOTE]
Norwegian, but before they (Norwegian Maritime Directorate) will issue an endorsement, to any nationality, it has to be an equivalent cross-over. In this case, it will be a US Mariner, but I’m not sure what they will take as far as being equivalent. I mean, you can send whatever you want and they will access the applicant, on if they meet “equivalency”. Minus not chasing my tail, which is pretty much what I’m doing now, having an idea before hand would be nice. Better than waiting 4-6 weeks for a rejected applicant. NMD and Norwegian Consulate is not providing that much help.
[QUOTE=anchorman;47494] … I’m not sure what they will take as far as being equivalent.[/QUOTE
Aha, Norwegians … Piece of cake, all you had to do was ask and more confustion is available 
Take a look at the Norwegian Seafarer’s Directorate Regulation of 9 May 2003; section VI-8 687/03 - Qualification Requirements for electricians:
[LEFT][FONT=Times-Bold][FONT=Times-Roman][FONT=Times-Roman]I Electrician[/I][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Times-Bold][SIZE=6][FONT=Times-Roman]
[FONT=Times-Bold][SIZE=2][I]An electrician shall have either:[/I]
[I]a) a certificate of apprenticeship for electrician with a ship’s electrician module and at[/I]
[I]least 3 months’ experience as electrician on board ship, or[/I]
[I]b) equivalent approved foreign education in electrical subjects and at least 3 months’ experience[/I]
[I]as electrician on board ship, or[/I]
[I]c) a certificate of competency as ship’s electrician or marine electro-automation officer issued[/I]
[I]under previous legislation.[/I]
I Electrician with special high-voltage qualifications[/I]
[I]Where the voltage of the electrical system exceeds 1,000 V AC or 1,500 V DC, the certificate of[/I]
[I]the electrician in charge of the operation of the system shall be provided with an endorsement in[/I]
[I]accordance with previous legislation, or the electrician shall have other documentation of highvoltage[/I]
[I]competence, such as:[/I]
[I]a) 3 months’ practical training in the operation and maintenance of high-voltage systems[/I]
[I]on board ships, drilling vessels or other mobile offshore units, and an approved course,[/I]
[I]or[/I]
[I]b) 3 months’ equivalent practical training ashore or from a production platform, and an approved[/I]
[I]course, or[/I]
[I]c) 6 months’ experience from operation and maintenance of high-voltage systems ashore[/I]
[I]or on fixed production platforms under the direction of an electrician competent in the[/I]
[I]operation and maintenance of high-voltage systems, or[/I]
[I]d) a certificate of apprenticeship as electric fitter group A or H or a certificate of apprenticeship[/I][/LEFT]
[I]as an energy fitter.[/I]
[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]
A drillship chief electrician with a few years experience should do the trick. VFDs, high voltage, etc. is right up their alley. If the pay is equal to what they’re getting they will be interested in the better living conditions for sure.