The Coast Guard won’t grant OICEW (Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch III-2 and III-4) codes for my MMD.
After 14 years in continuity, I reactivated my First Engineer Unlimited to sail again. I’ve obtained Basic STCW, TWIC. I have 10 years of sailing experience and have done everything on the assessment sheet but can’t find a way to get them signed off without a job. No company will hire me without the credentials on my MMD.
Talking with Mid Atlantic Maritime, the Coast Guard has not formalized the requirements for the class so no class is available. The only school listed on the Coast Guard website for training is not open to the public.
Does anyone have suggestions to help get me back out to sea? Thanks.
Last I looked at this was a couple of years ago but then they told us they did not “currently” require STCW assessments for OICEW. They did warn that this might change since the assessments are in the NVIC’s.
Hopefully someone will jump in with an update since I have an friend who will be in the same boat.
I acknowledge the need for assessments or taking of a course to qualify for any credentials and I’m willing to attain them. Do you know of a method of completing them since there are no classes available and no company will hire me to sign off on the assessments? These last couple of missing codes in my MMD has already lost a shipping job.
[QUOTE=Keller.maineengineer;112250]I acknowledge the need for assessments or taking of a course to qualify for any credentials and I’m willing to attain them. Do you know of a method of completing them since there are no classes available and no company will hire me to sign off on the assessments? These last couple of missing codes in my MMD has already lost a shipping job.[/QUOTE]
Deckies had this same problem when the assessments started being required a few years back. The only choice was to either wait for the classes to be offered or get on with a foreign flagged ship with American officers who can sign it. But I’m not sure this is an option for you.
Do the assessments specified unlimited horsepower or can you get them signed aboard something small and local?
[QUOTE=Keller.marineengineer;112054]The Coast Guard won’t grant OICEW (Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch III-2 and III-4) codes for my MMD. After 14 years in continuity, I reactivated my First Engineer Unlimited to sail again. I’ve obtained Basic STCW, TWIC. I have 10 years of sailing experience and have done everything on the assessment sheet but can’t find a way to get them signed off without a job. No company will hire me without the credentials on my MMD. Talking with Mid Atlantic Maritime, the Coast Guard has not formalized the requirements for the class so no class is available. The only school listed on the Coast Guard website for training is not open to the public. Does anyone have suggestions to help get me back out to sea? Thanks.[/QUOTE]Hey Keller, have you received OICEW yet? I am needing to take it and need another classmate for mamatrains to hold a class.
[QUOTE=Keller.marineengineer;112054]The Coast Guard won’t grant OICEW (Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch III-2 and III-4) codes for my MMD.
After 14 years in continuity, I reactivated my First Engineer Unlimited to sail again. I’ve obtained Basic STCW, TWIC. I have 10 years of sailing experience and have done everything on the assessment sheet but can’t find a way to get them signed off without a job. No company will hire me without the credentials on my MMD.
Talking with Mid Atlantic Maritime, the Coast Guard has not formalized the requirements for the class so no class is available. The only school listed on the Coast Guard website for training is not open to the public.
Does anyone have suggestions to help get me back out to sea? Thanks.[/QUOTE]
Did you get OICEW yet? I’m trying to take OICEW at mamatrains and need another person so they can hold a class.
Final outcome. I sailed for Texas A&M for 60 days as third assistant. It was a fun experience and a good opportunity to help guide new cadets and prepare for the maritime industry. They get too much theory and need a real world perspective.
Sailing for Texas A&M enable me to complete my STCW assessments for the Coast Guard and take Security Awareness during my time there. Everyone was very helpful and professional. I took Medical Care Provider class at Fletcher College in Louisiana.
I now have my updated credentials in my MMD book. It took some creative thinking and time to get it all done.
I am currently working for Edison Chouest Offshore.