Tugs under 200 GRT on international voyages or voyages that transit the waters of another country (except to Canada) are also not exempt from STCW.
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I hope that more tugboat owners become aware and compliant with these requirements, so that those if us who invested in obtaining Oceans and full STCW start getting paid what we should be worth.
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Only way for that to happen is during a audit or a SIRE
What about 195 GRT but 680 GT on domestic voyages? Does STCW apply ?
No STCW compliance required. 195 GRT is the US regulatory tonnage.
Under 200 GRT is exempt from STCW in the USA (and generally for US tugs in Canada).
But on a voyage from the Continental USA to Hawaii or Puerto Rico (or Mexico or The Bahamas): Master II/2 Oceans 3000 GT would be legally required.
As a practical matter, most tugboat companies and USCG officers don’t know that. Therefore, most companies don’t pay anything extra for an ocean license or full STCW.
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IIRC, the 500 GT STCW endorsement for Master/Mate is II/3.
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That’s near coastal only.
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