USCG Application Information

    Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) are issued by the US Coast Guard
    and authorize the authority to work on, operate, or stand a watch on
    commercial vessels. This include all forms of vessels from small fishing
    guide boats to the largest Merchant Ships. Merchant Mariner Credentials
    (MMC) are issued as endorsements.

    MMC Officer's Endorsements includes OUPV, Master and Mate. These
    endorsements are commonly referred to as licenses and issue the
    authority to be in charge of the vessel or to be in charge of a navigational
    watch on the vessel.

    MMC Rating Endorsements includes ordinary seaman and able seaman.
    These endorsements are commonly referred to as an MMD (Merchant
    Marine Document) or a "Zcard" and issue the authority to work as a
    deckhand in different capacities on commercial vessels.

    MMC STCW International Endorsements are required for ships greater
    than 200 tons on international voyages.

Sea Service Experience

    Most MMC Endorsements require the mariner to document sea service
    experience. This represents your experiences involving boats over the
    course of you lifetime and can include experience with most any type of
    vessel on any waters, but you must be able to document the experience.

Documenting Sea Service Experience

    The easiest way to document sea service experience on small vessels is to
    use the small boat sea service form 719S provided by the USCG.
    Complete one form for every vessel you are claiming experience on and
    have the vessel owner or the operator sign the form documenting your
    experience. If you were the owner than you will need to provide proof of
    ownership to document your experience.

Inland verses Ocean sea service

    The boundary line, sometime called the demarcation line, divides inland
    and ocean sea service. This is a line drawn at the most seaward points of
    land at the entrance to rivers, bays, harbors and sounds. For
    southeastern Alaska it is a line drawn between the most seaward points
    of the inlands and for the Straights of Juanda Fuca it is a line drawn
    directly north from Point Angeles to the US-Canadian border.

    Any day served aboard a vessel operating on waters shoreward of the
    boundary line is an inland sea day.

    Any day served aboard a vessel operating on waters seaward of the
    boundary line is an ocean sea day.

Sea Service Experience

    Sea service experience is measured in eight-hour calendar days.

    1 Sea Day
    Any day that you are on a boat, had a position of authority such as
    deckhand, helmsman or lookout, and were away from the dock for
    more than 4-hours counts as one eight-hour day.

    1 Month
    One month of sea service is equal to 30 days.

    1 Year
    One year of sea service is equal to 12 months or 360 days.

    Recent Sea Service
    Recent sea service is required to qualify for any MMC officers
    endorsement or to upgrade any officer endorsement.

    Recent sea service is 90 days of sea service experience within the
    past three years.

    When considering the sea service requirements for a license 90 days
    of the required sea service experience must have been within the
    past three years, or recent sea service.

The MMC Application

    Your Merchant Marine Credential Application must consist of the following
    documents:

    All applicants and any holding a MMC must also hold a valid TWIC.

    This is the standard application form required for all MMC
    transactions.

    A merchant marine physical is required to be included with almost all
    applications and will remain on file for one year. This exam may be
    completed by any medical doctor, but must be completed on the
    USCG form provided. Click here to view the instructions.

    A DOT approved drug test is required to be included with almost all
    applications and will remain on file for six month. The form includes
    instructions and alternatives to drug testing.

    This is a useful form for documenting small vessel and non-
    commercial sea service experience.

    Training Certificates
    Original copies of all course completion certificates

    Additional Documentation Required for an Original Issuance of an
    MMC

    Social Security card
    Proof of US citizenship (US Passport or Birth Certificate)

    Three letters of character reference are required for an application
    for an original MMC officers endorsement. You do not need to
    provide character references for any rating endorsement or for an
    upgrade to an existing license.

USCG Regional Exam Centers (REC)

    The complete application package must be delivered to one of 17 USCG
    REC around the nation and the application and issuance fees must be
    paid. Do not mail the application to the USCG.


More Information

    For more information regarding USCG Merchant Mariner Credential you
    may:
Columbia Pacific Maritime Home Page
All USCG approved courses offered by Columbia Pacific Maritime
USCG approved course schedule and prices
Course study guides for sale
Information about Columbia Pacific Maritime
Contact information about Columbia Pacific Maritime
Information on USCG Merchant Marine Licenses
Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) or 6-pack license
License Information for fishing guides
Master 100 ton license, this includes Master 25 tons and Master 50 tons
Master 200 ton license, this includes Master 150 ton, Mate 200 ton and Mate 150 ton
Master or Mate of fishing industry vessels greater than 200 tons
Master and Mate of towing vessels
Able Seaman and Ordinary Seaman courses and information
Additional USCG courses for support of Merchant Marine Licenses
USCG approved First Aid & CPR Training
Radar observer courses
Celestial Navigation for uninspected vessels and vessel less than 200 tons
STCW Flashing Light Course
Assistance towing and auxiliary sail endorsements
USCG Merchant Marine license information
USCG Merchant Marine Credential application information
TWIC information
General information regarding resources, student feedback, emploment and license questions
News and information of interest to professional mariners
Maritime employment news information and links
Ferquently asked questions that I have responded to
Columbia Pacific Maritime Newsletter
Usefull resources and links
Columbia Pacific Maritime Students
Columbia Pacific Maritime is A USCG Approved School for Merchant Marine Credentials