Your application for this credential was approved for applicant testing on December 17, 2012. Prior to issuance you will be required to pass the following examinations: DECK ENGINEER (70%), ELECTRICIAN (70%), FIREMAN-WATERTENDER (70%), JUNIOR ENGINEER (70%), MACHINIST (70%), OILER-STEAM & MOTOR (70%), PUMPMAN (70%), and REFRIGERATION ENGINEER (70%).
I was approved to test for the above, aside from Oiler and Fireman/Watertender, how common is it for a vessel to require these ratings?
If I take a class in place of testing at a REC it only covers the oiler and FWT. I would still need to test for the rest at the REC. I am interested in your opinions on if these additional ratings will be of much use. I am currently unemployed and usually work on the Great Lakes though I have worked the Gulf and East Coast.
Aside from years on deck(AB Unlimited) I have a couple of years as an Engine Utility or Senior Deckhand/engineer. What type of job options will this open up for me aside from the engine room of a Laker?
I have searched quite a bit. Found little tidbits here and there but still not sure if the Electrician, Machinist and Refer is worth it. Does a Pumpman still need Tankerman PIC? I expect I would, but I don’t know.
[QUOTE=seriously;91331]Your application for this credential was approved for applicant testing on December 17, 2012. Prior to issuance you will be required to pass the following examinations: DECK ENGINEER (70%), ELECTRICIAN (70%), FIREMAN-WATERTENDER (70%), JUNIOR ENGINEER (70%), MACHINIST (70%), OILER-STEAM & MOTOR (70%), PUMPMAN (70%), and REFRIGERATION ENGINEER (70%).
I was approved to test for the above, aside from Oiler and Fireman/Watertender, how common is it for a vessel to require these ratings?
If I take a class in place of testing at a REC it only covers the oiler and FWT. I would still need to test for the rest at the REC. I am interested in your opinions on if these additional ratings will be of much use. I am currently unemployed and usually work on the Great Lakes though I have worked the Gulf and East Coast.
Aside from years on deck(AB Unlimited) I have a couple of years as an Engine Utility or Senior Deckhand/engineer. What type of job options will this open up for me aside from the engine room of a Laker?[/QUOTE]
Out of those ratings, only the Machinist I have never seen on a ship. I have seen deck engineer, but it was an officer position. But the rest are pretty common. Like MFOW said you have those billets along with SIU has a lot of pumpman slots.
[QUOTE=brjones;92111]Out of those ratings, only the Machinist I have never seen on a ship. I have seen deck engineer, but it was an officer position. But the rest are pretty common. Like MFOW said you have those billets along with SIU has a lot of pumpman slots.[/QUOTE]
I haven’t decided if a 3 week QMED class in place of the Fwt and oiler is worth the 2000 dollars, if i have to go test for the rest anyway. Maybe I’ll just go test for them all and then take the class if I have a problem passing. The money saved could go to paying off the last two AR’s I bought.
I have Oiler, Electrician and Jr. Eng. I was a Navy electrician and that’s what they let me test for based on my background.
Take all the tests (actually, the REC will expect you to take them in one two or three day visit). You will find yourself eligible for hire in a lot of places, just as these guys will tell you.
MSC is hiring Jr Engineers also and I am in a race to get my STCW classes done, I just plunked down the credit card for classes at MAMA this month (vacation finally!)…what I am worried about now is a hiring freeze at MSC if this sequestration nightmare goes into effect, and it’s looking more likely since Congress can’t agree on a damn thing.
Sequestration is going to be ugly…lotsa cuts and they will go for personnel furloughs and maybe RIFs.
Get your oiler. Work anywhere you can not in the gulf to get your time and a halfsea time. Get your dde4000 asap, work in the gulf for 800 ish per day then test up the ladder you see fit. Home half a year and make good money.
That’s what i would do if i had to do it over again.
[QUOTE=catherder;92420]I have Oiler, Electrician and Jr. Eng. I was a Navy electrician and that’s what they let me test for based on my background.
Take all the tests (actually, the REC will expect you to take them in one two or three day visit). You will find yourself eligible for hire in a lot of places, just as these guys will tell you.
MSC is hiring Jr Engineers also and I am in a race to get my STCW classes done, I just plunked down the credit card for classes at MAMA this month (vacation finally!)…what I am worried about now is a hiring freeze at MSC if this sequestration nightmare goes into effect, and it’s looking more likely since Congress can’t agree on a damn thing.
Sequestration is going to be ugly…lotsa cuts and they will go for personnel furloughs and maybe RIFs.
Good luck to you.[/QUOTE]
Cathereder,
If you cannot find a job as Jr Engineer with MSC, check out MFOWW. We are in need of experienced marine electricians. You’ll probably make the same if not more money then MSC with a more flexible work rotation. Lots of pros and cons to weigh out. PM me if you want more info.
My last few posts haven’t come through for some reason.I have finished the at home renewal tests for my AB/UL and 100ton. Now I am planning on going to Toledo to sit for the QMED tests. I figure if it doesn’t go well I can take a class in February.So far I am averaging 89% on all the QMED tests through seasources.net with my lowest score being right at 70%. I hope the written tests are as easy as the online versions.
I am going to read the “Modern Marine Engineers Manual” volume one and 2 over the next few weeks. I have had them for 20 years and only ever read a section here and there as needed.
I will test on seasources.net as I go. I have been testing there but when I got into the steam condenser and refer sections I was lost. So, time to hit the books. If I still need more i will open the “Principles of Naval Engineering”.
Are there any other good books I should review before testing? These are just what I have on hand.
[QUOTE=seriously;93541]I am going to read the “Modern Marine Engineers Manual” volume one and 2 over the next few weeks. I have had them for 20 years and only ever read a section here and there as needed.
I will test on seasources.net as I go. I have been testing there but when I got into the steam condenser and refer sections I was lost. So, time to hit the books. If I still need more i will open the “Principles of Naval Engineering”.
Are there any other good books I should review before testing? These are just what I have on hand.[/QUOTE]
Believe it or not, the Coast Guard exam questions rely heavily on US Navy rate training manuals, many of which are available for free just by searching around the web. You can download as pdf files.
If you go to this page you will find sample questions, and scroll down for the reference library. Good luck!