How Do I Get My Merchant Mariner Document?
Life as a merchant mariner can be exciting, rewarding and lucrative, although it is often a hard job. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the authorizing agent for the specific documents. The USCG offers merchant mariner licenses, called "tickets," to qualified individuals who have met all their sea time and paperwork requirements, who take an oath, and who pass a formal exam. The different documents available vary, so the first thing you'll want to do is decide exactly what kind of license you will apply for. Your boating experience will determine this partially, but you may also want to consider job options on power or sailing vessels.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Proper identification
- Citizenship papers
- Fingerprints
- Physical examination
- Drug test
- Application with fee
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Safety and security check(s)
- License / tonnage / mariner fees
- First aid and CPR
- Photograph
- Certificate of course completion OR
- Passing USCG Examination (4 parts is common)
- Proof / validation of sea time (360 days is common)
- Miscellaneous other items may be required
Instructions
-
-
1
Amass your sea time and get each document validated. This means if you go out on friends' boats, or if you crew for yacht races and so forth, ask the skipper or owner of each vessel to sign a paper saying you were on board, for how long each day, and note the boat's ID information, plus tonnage. If, for example, you seek to acquire your OUPV License or Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (aka the "Six Pack"), you'll need to have 360 days on the proper size boat.
-
2
Get all your documentation together, and apply to your nearest USCG examination or licensing center. You can use the online checklists to be sure you submit all appropriate paperwork.
-
-
3
Study the testing materials and sample tests the Coast Guard provides. You can find many of these online. Alternatively, take a group or private navigation course and boating classes for the tonnage you seek. For example, the exams for a 1600 ton captain have specifics that you must know -- these differ substantially from a 50 ton license.
-
4
Sit for the exams. If you have practical experience, you'll have some knowledge for these tests, but most people study for weeks or months in advance, as they can be difficult. Alternatively, attend a course specifically designed for such licenses, and that are approved by the Coast Guard. If you pass, the school will provide a certificate for you to submit.
-
5
Pass the exams, swear the oath and sign your documents. And congratulation yourself -- getting such a document reflects commitment, hard work and solid experience.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Master your plotting and charting skills, and know the rules inside and out. You typically need 90 percent on this part of the exam to pass. Other exam sections require 70 percent to pass.
Also know your CFR -- Code of Federal Regulations.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
