Military 2 Mariner

Maritime Employment
1

Good Morning,

I’m currently transitioning from the U.S. Navy with about 26 years total. Master Chief.

I’ll get credit for Sea Time 60%.

Have ~ 6,299 days experience within the Engineroom on a steam ship.

~ 3,332 days as an EOOW.
All Steam experience. AS, LPD, LHD, LCC

Likely to be endorsed for one of the Engineering Officer grades.

My main questions are about the other endorsements that are required that I’ll need to serve at all the lower levels for MSC or Other places.

Goal is to start at the bottom and work my way up so what would I need ?

A) Wiper
B) QMED
C) Engineering Tech?
D) 1 AE, 2 AE, 3 AE

STCW : Basic Training , Advanced Firefighting
(anymore that we need here)

It appears that I’ll probably get endorsed at
1 AE level. So that would be on the MMC.

Should I ask for 2 AE and 3 AE also ? Or does the higher endorsements cover the Officer area.

I’d like to learn Merchant Marine or MSC ways of operating, lockouts, procedures for my own training to perform at a higher level. This way
I can learn and teach at each level.

My main concern is violating an MSC rule or procedure or teaching the incorrect way because of Muscle Memory working for the U.S. Navy this long. So important to learn the new right way to do things.

Any advice on those entry level up to QMED highest level is appreciated.

I don’t want to miss something for this application and have to do it twice.

I’m thinking someone has a chart that takes them from Wiper to 3RD AE. Or a path sheet.

Thanks / Steam

2

An officer endorsement lets you serve in lower capacities, so 1st AE can serve as 2nd or 3rd.

You need tio look at the associated STCW officer endorsements, your ability to work on a licnse will be greatly limited if you don;t also have the associated STCW endorsement. For officer endorsements, it’s going to require courses (not just Basic Training and firefighting) and a series of assessments similar to a military PQS. For 2nd and 3rd AE, the STCW endorsement is Officer in Chage of an Engineering Watch, and for 1st AE it is Second Engineer Officer. Details on OICEW are in NVIC 17-14 and for 2EO, NVIC 15-14 . If you go for 2EO you need to do everything required for both 2EO and OICEW.

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Thanks l’ll read up on it.

It’s kind of crazy that I’ve served on these current MSC steam ships when they were U.S. Navy run engineering prior to MSC.

Will have to go back and get qualified again. Good info. I appreciate it.

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Get the highest license you qualify for. As Mr Cavo said, you can always sail at a lower rating. Are you considering MSC? If so, they may assist in some of the STCW classes looking forward.

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You can also get the national endorsement (license) without getting STCW, you can add STCW klater after you do all that’s needed. So if you qualify for the license now, consider getting it now and adding STCW when you can.

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Yes I’m going to put in for MSC.

Merchant Marine terminology / CG terminology driving me crazy. I definitely like to read up on things but not even sure where to look yet.

Yes someone let me know STCW could be a PQS qualification, training, course. ETC.

Will start at a lower level and
get all of these STCW requirements done.

My buddy tells me “Buy the Books” they are worth it :rofl:.

Looks like they have Steam, Engine and Gas Turbine books not sure where to buy them or if can get them on PDF.

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These National Endorsements. Are they similar and cross over?

I see that it looks like they have some exams that could take for them.

Just curious what the difference is.

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National endorsements are what was formerly called the license. For most of those, it’s just sea time and take an exam.

STCW is an international convention there are about 30 different STCW endorsements). The STCW endorsement(s are additional credentials needed for international voyages (including voyages that only transit the waters of another country), and for vessels over 200 GRT, any voyage outside the “boundary line.” These have a requirement for sea service and to demonstrate specific competencies, and for many, training. The sea service generally aligns with the national endorsement, but there will be additional training and competency demonstration that is not required for the national endorsement.

You can get the national endorsement without the associated STCW endorsement, but with only one exception, you cannot get the STCW endorsement with the related national endorsement (STCW Electro-Technical Officer is the one exception).

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This makes alot of sense. The processes and documentation for Merchant Marines is really nice.

We definitely have something similar within the military. I just feel like the overall process for MMC and STCW and record keeping are much better.

We shifted to an electronic record keeping system in the military many years ago.
The system will glitch. Change dates. Or you’re missing 1/2 of your stuff and becomes quite frustrating.

The MMC will list all of these things once acquired and you’ll have it all right there. On your person. Very cool.

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I think the other thing that’s unique is that even though one may pass a test or get a 1 AE, 2 AE or 3 AE endorsement.

One has to be promoted into that position or hired / selected.

So these SCTW and probably some type of recommendation for a Senior Officer is required yeah ?

I guess I’ll learn pretty quickly.

Someone told me a Merchant Ship just pulled in the other day. If still here I’ll see if they are interested to shoot the shit with me.

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STCW is a requirement on pretty much all unlimited tonnage ships, definitely at MSC. I wouldn’t worry too much about senior officer recommendations for the credentialing process. Those will be helpful in getting a job after you get the license though.

I would recommend looking into the requirements for 3A/E motors, vs steam. If you can get gas turbine as well, more power to you. If you’re limited to steam only, that cuts your job prospects down. Not many steam ships left. Do you have the GI bill available to you? There are training centers/schools that put the classes/requirements jdcavo listed together into upgrade programs.

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I’ve only served on steam ships. Yes 3 AE would be a good start..

Yes I have the GI Bill. Yeah I’d like to see that list and see what I’d have to do.

Since I have all the military qualifications on steam and some specialized training
Automatic Controls, Boiler Repair, Steam Generating Plant Inspector, etc.

Maybe I get can get a few. I’m in contact with the coordinator for the military now.

Chief Engineer also on one of the Steam Ships (looks like need little help with). Talking with him often. I served on that class for about 7 years recently.

I’m pretty sure I hit the pool and I’m gone.

I definitely want to learn the Diesel and GT.
Check it out.

If alot of it is sign offs and quals for STCW than I’d get that done right away.

If it’s schooling. Looks like will be some time.

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The sheets that show the STCW codes and references look like a foreign language to me.

Little blocks to the right look like a set of initials go there. (Could be wrong).

I did see requirements for an EPA Universal Cert which I’ll get knocked out in a day. We don’t have a requirement for that in the Navy unless working on ACs or Reefers.

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I do have about 11 months to work on STCW. So I’ll see if it’s possible to get some of it completed if that’s possible with GI Bill.

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Yes those are sign offs, yes there are a lot of confusing references. You will have to work on a merchant ship to get signed off, by a licensed engineer, or take approved classes that cover those requirements. Most reputable training centers list the STCW competencies covered in the course. Look into the AMO star center and MPT for courses. There are other approved schools as well. I believe there is a list on the NMC’s website (USCG national maritime center)https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/courses/courses.pdf?ver=PVbXCr-_7sJ1u5JsSOPdXw%3d%3d&timestamp=1743602187531 most will accept the GI bill

Your navy time/certs/training won’t count for anything STCW, as they don’t adhere to the STCW standards. Your navy time should count towards a national license (3 A/E steam or maybe 1 A/E steam). You’ll have to pass the USCG tests for those licenses too.

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Whichever propulsion mode you apply for, at least one-third of the required service be on the mode you are applying for. If you don’t have this, you would need to take a course for that propulsion mode. See 46 CFR 11.502.

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Thanks I got a MSC recruiter on my ass right away. Maybe that’s standard? Filled a profile out just a couple hours ago.

I’ll take a look into these and it’s very helpful.

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Wow yes I’ve seen that list many times now looking at everything on that website.

Was wondering what all of it was for. Makes alot of sense now.

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There are crossover courses which would allow you to get the same diesel or gas turbine license as the steam license you end up testing for.

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Yes it looks like I’ll go in at Entry Level for a little
bit. Work hard. Stand out.

Worry about the STCW requirements a little later. Ask lots of questions. Get a roadmap made..

I won’t have to worry about meeting sea time requirements for any Engineering Officer paygrade. I’ll get the OICEW and the others within a year or so.

Learn and work my way up. Hit some schools a little later. No big deal.

Will go from Master Chief to Fireman (Wiper) level. Work my way up quickly. I’m excited.

In order to teach as an Officer or Senior person. It’s a good idea to see what the lower Enlisted are doing / going thru.

Even though I stood OIECW (EOOW) on warships for close to 20 years. Will be fun to learn it again. From scratch. A new way.