# STCW Final Rule **URL:** \ **Category:** Maritime Training & Licensing\ **Created:** [December 23, 2013, 7:47am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712 "2013-12-23T07:47:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 8:34am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/21 "2013-12-24T08:34:13Z")
[QUOTE=jdcavo;126839]That’s because the 2010 STCW went into effect internationally on January 1, 2012. These provisions are specific amendments to the STCW. They were added because there was a lack of consensus and clarity on whether they were or were not required. Some countries required it, others did not.[/QUOTE] What I meant to say is that that port state control in other countries are already asking US mariners for proof that they have renewed their STCW courses within the last five years. ---
**Author:** ![z-drive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c37758/32.png) [@z-drive](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/z-drive)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 8:53am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/22 "2013-12-24T08:53:47Z")
What’s the initial thought on all these renewal courses…think your company will pay? Personally mine already does but here’s to hoping they will continue under expanded circumstances. Once again I haven’t had time to look through it thoroughly, but will the “negative” endorsement stuff be going away long term? Example is a license limited to vessels NOT equipped with ARPA? ---
**Author:** ![JW-Oceans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@JW-Oceans](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/JW-Oceans)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 9:39am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/23 "2013-12-24T09:39:12Z")
Now all we need is the 1,600 GRT Master to Chief Mate Unlimited rule! ---
**Author:** ![OSV-Florida](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b2d939/32.png) [@OSV-Florida](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/OSV-Florida)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 11:12am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/24 "2013-12-24T11:12:07Z")
> [@"JW-Oceans"](#): > > Now all we need is the 1,600 GRT Master to Chief Mate Unlimited rule! That would be nice 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PaddyWest2012](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/paddywest2012/32/2405_2.png) [@PaddyWest2012](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/PaddyWest2012)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 11:27am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/25 "2013-12-24T11:27:12Z")
[QUOTE=tugsailor;126840][QUOTE=jdcavo;126832]The rule becomes effective in 90 days (March 24, Lowers sea service minuimum tonnage for “unlimited” deck licenses from 200 GRT to 100 GRT; Thank Christ. It’s about time American mariners get some fairness on this issue, especially since the Brits, the Canadians (and undoubtedly others) accept seatime down to 25 Gross tons GT toward unlimited licenses.[/QUOTE] Lowering the minimum from 200-GRT to 100-GRT is all good and well but 50% of the time still has to be over 1600-GRT, which means that people with licenses less than unlimited are incapable of working on their current licenses while upgrading to unlimited. The 1600-ton minimum is what needed to be lowered, not the 200-ton. You should be able to hold a 1600-ton license, sail as mate or master, and be able to earn your unlimited license. Right now the only way to do that is to get a 3/M unlimited restricted to 150% of the tonnage on which 50% of the sea time is recorded. At 1600-GRT (if 50% of your seatime was recorded on a vessel of that tonnage) this would make for an unlimited license restricted to 2400-GRT. Good luck finding a vessel between 1600-GRT and 2400-GRT that you can sail on so that you can upgrade to 2/M unlimited, unrestricted. Every other license in the licensing scheme has a minimum tonnage that you can use a lower license to acquire (5-tons for a 50-ton, 33.4-tons for a 100-ton, 50-tons for a 500-ton, and 100-tons for a 1600-ton, you’ll notice I didn’t mention the 200-ton because that license is just as #!(^'ed up as the unlimited licenses are), so why shouldn’t the unlimited licenses have the same thing??? [The checklist for the 3/M Unlim. License here.](http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/pdfs/MCP-FM-NMC5-19_3rd_Mate_AGT.pdf?list1=%2Fnmc%2Fchecklists%2Fpdfs%2FMCP-FM-NMC5-19_3rd_Mate_AGT.pdf&B1=GO%21) ---
**Author:** ![VibrationTech](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/vibrationtech/32/6528_2.png) [@VibrationTech](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/VibrationTech)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 12:53pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/26 "2013-12-24T12:53:34Z")
Can anyone give some possible input on “Amend requirements for sea service credit for cadets serving onboard academy training ships if sea service is part of an approved training program” I am a current engineering cadet and wondering what kind of changes I may be affected by? Or would current cadets be grandfathered in to any changes? ---
**Author:** ![shipengr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/shipengr/32/485_2.png) [@shipengr](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/shipengr)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/27 "2013-12-25T02:00:42Z")
> [@"VibrationTech"](#): > > Can anyone give some possible input on “Amend requirements for sea service credit for cadets serving onboard academy training ships if sea service is part of an approved training program” I am a current engineering cadet and wondering what kind of changes I may be affected by? Or would current cadets be grandfathered in to any changes? If you read through the explanation, as I understand it this just codifies the existing policy of giving academy cadets 1 1/2 for 1 day on a training ship. It should not have any effect on you. ---
**Author:** ![catherder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@catherder](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/catherder)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 10:19am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/28 "2013-12-25T10:19:19Z")
> [@"z-drive"](#): > > What’s the initial thought on all these renewal courses…think your company will pay? Personally mine already does but here’s to hoping they will continue under expanded circumstances. Once again I haven’t had time to look through it thoroughly, but will the “negative” endorsement stuff be going away long term? Example is a license limited to vessels NOT equipped with ARPA? I pay for all my own. I think noaa has some sort of exemption because many people are not sailing with the stcw endorsements they are supposed to have. People ask for stcw training and get denied. That’s not a good sign. I can’t get a straight answer. So, I take care of my own credential. ---
**Author:** ![BMCSRetired](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/bmcsretired/32/1005_2.png) [@BMCSRetired](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/BMCSRetired)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/29 "2013-12-25T17:57:20Z")
It is tax deductible too. ---
**Author:** ![tengineer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@tengineer1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tengineer1)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 6:45pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/30 "2013-12-25T18:45:53Z")
[QUOTE=catherder;126915]I pay for all my own. I think noaa has some sort of exemption because many people are not sailing with the stcw endorsements they are supposed to have. People ask for stcw training and get denied. That’s not a good sign. I can’t get a straight answer. So, I take care of my own credential.[/QUOTE] As a government outfit NOAA , ACE and others only say they will comply with USCG, OSHA, IMO etc., regulations. They are under no legal or regulatory requirement to do so. ---
**Author:** ![catherder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@catherder](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/catherder)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 11:00am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/31 "2013-12-26T11:00:37Z")
> [@"tengineer1"](#): > > As a government outfit NOAA , ACE and others only say they will comply with USCG, OSHA, IMO etc., regulations. They are under no legal or regulatory requirement to do so. Yes, I did finally find a document to that effect., that they will make an effort to comply. SOVC. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer69](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/flyer69/32/6000_2.png) [@Flyer69](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Flyer69)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/32 "2013-12-26T16:38:22Z")
> [@"jdcavo"](#): > > The rule becomes effective in 90 days (March 24, 2014). There are grandfathering provisions for up to 5 years. For national endorsements, there is grandfathering for five years. Generally, if you began the service or training for the national endorsement before the effective date of the rule (March 24, 2014) you may qualify under the previous regulations until March 24, 2019. For STCW, if you began the service or training before the effective date of the rule, you can generally qualify under the former regulations until December 31, 2016. More information will be provided in a NVIC on grandfathering to be published int he near future. Other major elements of the rule include: Medical certificates Required training for most STCW endorsements; Refresher training for Basic Training (new name for BST), Advanced Firefighting, Proficiency in Survival Craft, and Fast Rescu Boat; Requirement for all current OICNW and OICEW STCW endorsements to meet competence in Leadership and Teamwork Skills by January 1, 2017; Requirement for all current STCW endorsements for Chief Mate, master, Second Engineer Officer (1st AE) and Chief Engineer endorsements to have training in Leadership and Managerial Skills by January 1, 2017; Separate STCW tank vessel endorsements for Advanced Oil Tanker Operations and Advanced Chemical Tanker Operations; Allows mariners on ATBs to obtain STCW endorsements for tank vessels; Lowers sea service minuimum tonnage for “unlimited” deck licenses from 200 GRT to 100 GRT; Allows service on Great Lakes to count without limits towards near coastal and STCW endorsements. There will be a series of public meetings to explain the rule and answer questions in the near future, including held on-line. There will also be NVICs for specific endorsements, close to 30 of them in the coming months. I can’t wait to see the answers these NVICs will provide. Currently hold 500 GRT Master with Master OSV 3000 endorsement. Working now aboard an OSV at 1200 GT(ITC). Trying to figure out the new rule and how to best advance my license. ---
**Author:** ![water](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/water/32/131_2.png) [@water](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/water)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/33 "2013-12-26T20:01:56Z")
[QUOTE=Flyer69;126958]I can’t wait to see the answers these NVICs will provide. Currently hold 500 GRT Master with Master OSV 3000 endorsement. Working now aboard an OSV at 1200 GT(ITC). Trying to figure out the new rule and how to best advance my license.[/QUOTE] Yes, it will be interesting. It almost looks like a Master 500 will bump up to a Master 1600. But then, it can be difficult to correctly read and interpret these government epistles. ---
**Author:** ![sailormike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@sailormike](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/sailormike)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2013, 6:24am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/34 "2013-12-27T06:24:20Z")
Two questions, One, when can you start applying for things under the new rules, do you have to wait for the 90 days or can you apply now? Two, does anyone know what is changing about the rules of using ATB sea time towards AGT licenses? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Tar](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jolly_tar/32/1914_2.png) [@Jolly\_Tar](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Jolly_Tar)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2013, 6:41am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/35 "2013-12-27T06:41:08Z")
[QUOTE=catherder;126915]I pay for all my own… So, I take care of my own credential.[/QUOTE] Yer beholden to NO ONE either - just plain smart ---
**Author:** ![jdcavo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jdcavo/32/108_2.png) [@jdcavo](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jdcavo)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2013, 7:04am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/36 "2013-12-27T07:04:37Z")
[QUOTE=sailormike;126976]…what is changing about the rules of using ATB sea time towards AGT licenses?[/QUOTE] … Nothing. ---
**Author:** ![SaltyBM](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/saltybm/32/6539_2.png) [@SaltyBM](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SaltyBM)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 12:43am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/37 "2013-12-28T00:43:06Z")
[QUOTE=“water;126969”] Yes, it will be interesting. It almost looks like a Master 500 will bump up to a Master 1600. But then, it can be difficult to correctly read and interpret these government epistles.[/QUOTE] If I am reading this right, under 11.491 - National officer endorsements for service on offshore supply vessels, they have changed the Master 500grt/3000itc (OSV), and it will now read Master 1600grt/3000itc (OSV). Doesn’t look like it changes anything for the “National” (domestic) Master 500grt to 1600grt upgrade. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer69](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/flyer69/32/6000_2.png) [@Flyer69](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Flyer69)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 6:31am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/38 "2013-12-28T06:31:11Z")
> [@"SaltyBM"](#): > > If I am reading this right, under 11.491 - National officer endorsements for service on offshore supply vessels, they have changed the Master 500grt/3000itc (OSV), and it will now read Master 1600grt/3000itc (OSV). Doesn’t look like it changes anything for the “National” (domestic) Master 500grt to 1600grt upgrade. Pretty much. Of more interest, however, will be whether they let someone with the 500 GRT non-trade-restricted Master license into the Large OSV program? ---
**Author:** ![jdcavo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jdcavo/32/108_2.png) [@jdcavo](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jdcavo)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 8:16am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/39 "2013-12-28T08:16:03Z")
[QUOTE=SaltyBM;127029]If I am reading this right, under 11.491 - National officer endorsements for service on offshore supply vessels, they have changed the Master 500grt/3000itc (OSV), and it will now read Master 1600grt/3000itc (OSV). Doesn’t look like it changes anything for the “National” (domestic) Master 500grt to 1600grt upgrade.[/QUOTE] Under the new rule, only GRT is used on national endorsements, and only GT is used on STCW endorsements. ---
**Author:** ![groessleriv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@groessleriv](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/groessleriv)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 8:33am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712/40 "2013-12-28T08:33:24Z")
I’m a little slow fellas. Will100 ton masters go straight to 1600 ton master or will they have to do a couple years as1600 ton mate? [Previous page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/stcw-final-rule/11712.md?page=3)