I got a buddy who is currently in school for mechanica engineering technology. He found out that since it’s ABET accredited, he’ll be able to get his National 3rd Engineer’s License
46 CFR 11.516
Graduation from the mechanical or electrica engineering course of a school of technology accredited bv the ABET, together with 6 months of service in the engine department of steam, motor, or gas turbine-propelled vessels;
After looking at it, does mechanical engineering technology even count, or is it strictly mechanical enaineering? The “school of technology” part suggests it accepts it, but im not fullv convinced. Anvone else go this route or know anvone who has? I don’t want him earning this Degree just not to be accepted over language-specific instructions.
I decided that this was the way to go, but I believe that it has to be one of the listed engineering programs with specific program accreditation and that a technology program will not do it. I think you overstated the required sea time. Also, certain options, like marine engineering and NA only require half the sea time as EE or ME and at some schools may require little beyond carefully picking your electives; one cruise on a northern fishing fleet factory ship and you may have your 3kt+ and 4k+hp time for 3AE, DDE and limited chief. These factory ships can also be a fast way to go from 3AE to 2AE.
Keep in mind that you still have to do all the SOLAS and etc, stuff on your own, and that can be very expensive and time consuming. There are some workforce development programs for offshore construction, fishing and oil that can make that less painful. I found a program where basic SOLAS included combined basic & advanced FF, medical care, vessel security and more into a 4 week state subsidized industry workforce program; but you really have to look hard to find all the things an academy offers you automatically.
If you go this route, look into GMDSS maintainer with radar; with engineering level physics and etc, its not that hard, and there are few with this endorsement actively going to sea anymore, and its a required item on longer transits, so you may get hired and others passed over if you get this endorsement.
If you aren’t going the academy route you should also go for a limited master like 25,100 or 200t as well as unlimited AB; it’s not that much extra, and you can double count some of your sea time, and again, it can get you hired and others passed over.
This could be an interesting way for a young person to start in the industry without going to an expensive academy or trudging up the longer route of the hawespipe. $40k for in-state tuition to get a Mechanical Engineering Technology ABET degree compared to $120k at the least expensive, out-of-state maritime academy ain’t bad. Especially since it can be hard having a part time job at the academies with the regimented lifestyle.
This pathway option is news to me. Has anyone worked with any eengineering officers who obtained their first license via this route?
While searching on the forum I only seen a couple mentions of this ABET Accredited Mechanical Engineer Technology to USCG 3A/E Domestic Only License. Thread linked below. It looks like @johnny.dollar took this pathway.
Mr. dollar. How long did it take you to obtain the STCW OICEW? For classes, was it just MEECE, ERM, Leadership & Management along with the safety training? How was the NMC? Did they give you a lot of pushback since this path is seldom used?
This should be all understood. Regardless of OICEW Classes and seatime, we live in the day of starlink and fully accredited online colleges.
For example, my buddy is attending all of this online, WHILE sailing as a wiper. He’s earning seatime, experience, and cash to pay for schooling. Mind you, room and board are covered cuz boat. All he needs is 6 months. He’s able to asynchronously take exams and quizzes with the aid of his personal starlink. He’s able to schedule his proctored exams at anytime. It actually sounds pretty interesting rather than stationary at an academy for four years, plus the large capital investment.
Ofc, this requires large amounts of discipline and not taking any liberty off the ship. Although, once he’s licensed, I’m sure he’ll thank his labor.
If I were a high school graduate considering the ABET mechanical engineer technology degree to obtain a 3A/E Domestic, I would be more concerned about the USCG changing the rules or some disgruntled NMC evaluator denying my application. Below is a list of courses AI say is required to take to get a OICEW. I took all of them except 3. Of all the others ones I took I only paid for 1. In state tuition for a Mechanical Engineer Technology degree in my state is about $10k a year. And universities will help students get jobs while in college to help pay for it. The least expensive out-of-state, state maritime college runs about $35k a year. An ABET Mechanical Engineering degree is pretty dang impressive on it own.
Engine Room Resource Management (ERM)
Auxiliary Machinery
Motor Plants / Gas Turbine Plants / Steam Plants (As applicable to vessel)
The tuition for my buddy’s degree is 50k. The tuition for OICEW, including his Airbnb n food, is probably gonna be 35k max (17 week program STAR).
That’s 85k minimum for this route. Still awfully cheaper than an academy. One could obviously do it cheaper by living in their car or something and buying a local gym membership for showers .
My buddy is going to be sailing until his degree completion. In that time, I’m sure he’ll pass 85k-net. This route seems totally feasible to someone who doesn’t wanna go to an academy, logistically speaking.
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