Information Concering Employment and Training

in theU.S. Merchant Marine

Information Concerning

Employment and the Training in the

U.S. Merchant Marine

August 2013

Information Concerning Employment and the Training

in the U.S. Merchant Marine

The Maritime Administration would like to thank these schools for permitting the use of their photographs in this brochure:

• CaliforniaMaritimeAcademy

• GreatLakesMaritimeAcademy

• MaineMaritimeAcademy

• MassachusettsMaritimeAcademy

• PaulHallCenter

• TexasA&MUniversity

• SUNYMaritimeCollege

• UnitedStatesMerchantMarineAcademy

INTRODUCTION

Manyfascinatingcareersareavailableinthemaritimeindustrywhichoffers:

• Extensivetravelandadventure• Responsibility• ExcellentpayandbenefitsMarinerstypicallybelongtooneof theseshipboarddepartments:

• Deck—navigation,cargohandling,andmanagement

• Engineering—propulsion,maintenanceandmanagement

• Steward/hotel—foodservices,sanitation,andaccommodations

Somevesselswillalsohavea“SupplyDepartment”whichistypicallyacombinationof thestewardsdepartmentandthosecrewmemberswhoperformstorekeepingduties.Additionallysomevesselscarrycommunicationsand/ormedicalpersonnel.

• Almostanyonecanfindajobinthemaritimeindustryby:

• Contactingamaritime company or union • Contactingamaritime crewing agency

• Attendingamaritime technical training school

• Attendingamaritime academy or college tobecomealicensedofficer

TheU.S.merchantmarineconsistsof privately-owned,U.S.registeredmerchantshipsandavarietyof towing,offshoresupply,andpassengervesselswhichprovidewaterbornetransportationforpassengersandcargoesmovingindomesticandinternationalcommerce.Employmentonthesevesselsistheresponsibilityof theownersandishandledbymaritimelabororganizationsorthroughdirectemploymentbythecompany.

Part-timeorsummeremploymentisavailableinsomesectorsof themaritimeindustrysuchasthepassengervesselindustry.Thelevelof seafaringemploymentisdeterminedbythestateof U.S.andworldbusinessconditions,andimprovementsinshiptechnology.

Thispamphletprovidesinformationonshipboardemploymentandrelatedmaritimeeducationandtrainingprograms.Primaryshipboardemploymentcategoriesincludedeepsea,GreatLakes,towingandbarges,inlandandcoastalwaters,passengervessels,andoffshoreandmineraloperations.

Otherareasof employmentinthemaritimeindustryincludeshipbuildingandrepair,longshoring(cargohandling),portterminaladministration,andintermodallogistics.

Forinformationonemploymentintheseareas,pleasevisittheMaritimeAdministration’swebsiteathttp://www.marad.dot.gov

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION MARITIME ADMINISTRATION

TheMaritimeAdministrationdoesnotdirectlyhiremerchantmarinersbutservesasaresource,providinginformationregardingcareeropportunitiesavailabletothoseinterestedinbecomingmerchantmariners.TheMaritimeAdministrationofficewhichcoordinatesinformationonseafaringemploymentandtrainingis:

Officeof MaritimeWorkforceDevelopmenU.S.MaritimeAdministration(MAR740)1200NewJerseyAvenue,SEWashington,DC20590.Phone:(202)493-0029Email:careersafloat@dot.gov.

UNITED STATES COAST GUA RD

TheU.S.CoastGuard(USCG),partof theDepartmentof HomelandSecurity,istheregulatoryagencyresponsibleforlicensingandcertifyingU.S.merchantmarinersworkingaboardthosevesselswhichrequirecredentialedmariners.

Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC)

In2009,theCoastGuardconsolidatedfourpreviouslyissuedcredentialsformerchantmariners(Licenses,Certificatesof Registry,MerchantMarinerDocuments–alsoknownasa“Z-cards”–andSTCWcertificatesintotheMerchantMarinerCredential(MMC).

To obtain an MMC• Youmustsubmitevidencethatyouholda

validTransportationWorkerIdentificationCredential(TWIC)(photocopyofTWIC)orthatyouhaveappliedforaTWIC(TWICapplicationreceipt).FurtherinformationontheTWICisinthenextsectionofthispamphlet.

• Youmustbeatleast16yearsofage.Ifyouarelessthan18yearsoldyoumustpresentanotarizedstatementofconsentfromaparentorguardian.

• Youmustreportanynarcotics,DWI/DUI,andothercriminalconvictionsandagreetoaNationalDriverRegistrycheck.“Conviction”meansthatyouhavebeenfoundguiltybyjudgmentorbypleaandincludescasesofdeferredadjudication(nocontest,adjudicationwithheld,etc.)orwherethecourtrequiredyoutoattendclasses,makecontributionoftimeormoney,receivetreatment,submittoanymannerofprobationorsupervision,orforegoappealofatrialcourtfinding.Expungedconvictionsmustbereportedunlesstheexpungementwasbaseduponashowingthatthecourt’searlierconvictionwasinerror.

• SomeconvictionsmakeanapplicantineligibletoreceiveaTWICand,therefore,anMMC.

• ApplicationformscanbefoundontheUSCGNationalMaritimeCenter(MMC)website(www.uscg.mil/nmc)ormaybeobtainedfromaRegionalExamCenter(REC).TofindthenearestREC,visittheNMCwebsiteat:www.uscg.mil/nmcorcall1-888-I-ASK-NMC(1-888-427-5662)

• ApplicantsmustcompleteaphysicalexaminationusingtheformwhichispartoftheCoastGuard’sapplicationpackage

• Applicantsmustpresentevidenceofpassingadrugtest.

• TheMMCapplicationpackageshouldbesubmitteddirectlytoanREC.SendingthepackagetotheNMCwillcauseittobedelayedwhiletheNMCsendsthepackagetoanRECforcoordination.

• SinceyouhavelegallycertifiedyouridentitybyapplyingforaTWIC,youneednotvisittheRECinperson;youmaycompletealltransactionsbymail.

• TheMMClooksandfeelslikeapassport;however,itisNOTasubstituteforapassport.

• PhotographstobeusedontheMMCwillbeelectronicallyforwardedfromtheTransportationSecurityAdministrationtotheCoastGuard.

• TheCoastGuardisrequiredbylawtocollectauserfeefortheMMCevaluationanddocumentationprocess.YoushouldvisittheNMCwebsiteatwww.uscg.mil/nmctodeterminethecurrentfees.

• Onceyourapplicationhasbeensubmitted,youcancheckitsstatusontheNMCwebsiteorbycalling1-888-I-ASK-NMC(1-888-427-5662).

• ForalistofitemstosubmitwithyourMMCapplicationpackage,pleasedownloadacopyoftheMMCApplicationAcceptanceChecklistat:www.uscg.mil/nmc

TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL (TWIC)

TWICsaretamper-resistantbiometriccredentialsissuedbytheDepartmentof HomelandSecurity’s(DHS)TransportationSecurityAdministration(TSA)tocredentialedmerchantmariners,portfacil-ityemployees,long-shoreworkers,truckdrivers,andothersrequiringunescortedaccesstosecureareasof maritimefacilitiesandvesselsregulatedbytheMaritimeTransportationSecurityAct(MTSA).ToobtainaTWIC,youmustcompletetheenrollmentprocessataTWICenrollmentcenterandpaytheenrollmentfee.Individualswho

• wereconvictedofcertaincrimes,• lacklawfulpresenceandcertainimmigration

statusintheUnitedStates,• areconnectedtoterroristactivity,or• havebeendeterminedtolackmentalcapacity

areineligibleforaTWIC.Alistof enrollmentcentersandtheirlocationsisontheTSAwebsiteat:www.tsa.gov/twicorbycallingtheTWICcallcenterat1-866-DHS-TWIC(1-866-347-8942).

Note: information regarding the TWIC is correct as of the printing of this brochure. To ensure you have the latest information, please call the TWIC call center or log onto the TWIC website.

USCG Regional Examination Centers (REC)

Credentialingof marinersiscoordinatedattheUSCG’sRECs.ThoseinterestedinemploymentonavesselshouldcontactthenearestRECforanexplanationof regulationsandassistancewithsubmittingtheirapplicationpackage.IndividualsmayalsocontacttheNMCHelpDeskwithcredentialingquestions.TheCoastGuardrequeststhatallphoneenquiriesberoutedthroughtheNMCat1-888-427-5662

ALASKA, AnchoragU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)800E.DiamondBlvd.Suit3-227Anchorage,AK99515

ALASKA, JuneauU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)910MendenhallMallRd,Suit170Juneau,AK99801

CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles/Long BeachU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)501W.OceanBlvd,Suit6200LongBeach,CA90802

CALIFORNIA, OklandU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)OklandFederalBldg,NorthTower1301ClayStreet,Room180NOkland,CA94612-520

Florida, MiamiU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)ClaudePepperFederalBuilding51S.W.1stAve.,6thfloorMiami,FL33130-1608

HAWAII, HonoluluU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)433AlaMoanaBlvd.Honolulu,HI96813-4909

LOUISIANA, MandevilleU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)4250Hwy22,SuiteFMandeville,LA70471

MARYLAND, BaltimoreU.S.CoastGuard(REC)U.S.CustomsHouse

40SouthGayStreetBaltimore,MD21202-4022

MASSACHUSETTS, BostonU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)455CommercialStreetBoston,MA02109-1045

MISSOURI, St. LouisU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)1222SpruceStreet,Room7105St.Louis,MO63103-2846

NEW YORK, New YorkU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)BatteryParkBuilding1SouthStreetNewYork,NY10004-1466

OHIO, ToledoU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)420MadisonAve.,Suite700Toledo,OH43604

OREGON, PortlandU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)911NE11thAvenue,RM637Portland,OR97232-4169

SOUTH CAROLINA, CharlestonU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)196TraddStreetCharleston,SC29401-1899

TENNESSEE, MemphisU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)200JeffersonAve.,Suite1302Memphis,TN38103

TEXAS, HoustonU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)8876Gulf Freeway,Suite200Houston,TX77017-6595

WASHINGTON, SeattleU.S.CoastGuard,MarineSafetyOffice(REC)915SecondAve.,Room194Seattle,WA98174-1067

Thislistisalsoavailableat:www.uscg.mil/nmc

MARTIME EMPLOYMENT

Deep SeasEmploymentaboardoceanandcoastalU.S.-flagshipsisusuallyhandledbyeitherthemaritimelaborunionsorshipoperators.Informationonhighseasshipboardemploymentisavailablethrough:

Maritime Labor Unions

Seafarers International UnionPOBox75PineyPoint,MD20674Phone:(877)235-3275www.seafarers.org

Sailors Union of the Pacific450HarrisonStreetSanFrancisco,CA94105Phone:(415)777-3400www.sailors.org

Marine Firemen’s Union240SecondStSanFrancisco,CA94105Phone:(415)362-4592www.mfoww.orgAmerican Maritime Officers490L’EnfantPlazaEast,SW,Suite7204Washington,DC20024Phone:(202)479-1166www.amo-union.org

Marine Engineers’ Beneficial AssociationAssociation,DistrictNo.1-MEBA444NorthCapitolStreet,NW,Suite800Washington,DC20001Phone:(202)638-5355www.d1meba.org

International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots700MaritimeBlvdLinthicumHeights,MD21090Phone:(410)850-8700www.bridgedeck.com

Maritime Labor-Management Affiliations Guide

TheMaritimeAdministrationpublishestheMaritimeLabor-ManagementAffiliationsGuidewhichprovidesadditionalinformationonthemajormaritimemanagementandtradeorganizations,theseafaringlabororganizations,andmanyU.S.-flagshipoperatorcompanies.Copiesareavailableonline(www.marad.dot.gov)orbycontacting:

Officeof Sealiftsupport(MAR-740)MaritimeAdministration1200NewJerseyAvenue,SEWashington,DC20590.Phone:(202)493-0029

The Military Sealift Command (MSC),

Departmentof theNavy,operatesnumerousmerchant-typeshipsmannedbyciviliancrewsemployedascivilservicemariners(CIVMARS).Thefleetismadeupof avarietyof classesof shipsgivingMSCCIVMARsachancetogainexperiencethatallowsthemtoadvancetheircredentials.MSCisactivelyrecruitingmarinerstojointheirteam.Informationisavailableatwww.sealiftcommand.comorbycontacting:

MSC,CIVMARSupportCenter6353CenterDriveBuilding8,Suite202Norfolk,VA23502Phone:(877)562-7672www.sealiftcommand.com

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Office of Marine and Aviation Opportunities,operateshighseasoceanographicresearchshipsandhydrographicandfisheriessurveyvessels.Manyafloatpersonnelarecivilservants.Detailedemploymentinformationisavailableontheinternetatwww.moc.gov.

GREAT LAKES, TOWING AND BARGE, AND COASTAL AND INLAND WATERS

The American Waterways Operators (AWO)801NorthQuincyStreet,Suite200,Arlington,VA22203,Phone703-841-9300isthenationaltradeassociationfortheU.S.tugboat,towboat,andbargeindustry.AWOhasover400membercompanieswhichoperatethroughouttheUnitedStatesonrivers,canals,portsandharbors,theGreatLakes,andtheAtlantic,PacificandGulf coasts.Youcanfindinformationonthetugboat,towboat,andbargeindustryandalistof AWO’smembercompaniesat:www.americanwaterways.com

The Lake Carriers Association, 20325CenterRidgeRoad,Suite720,RockyRiver,OH44116represents18U.S.flagcompaniesoperating62vesselsontheGreatLakesandcanfurnishinformationregardingemploymentopportunitiesformariners.Telephone:(440)333-4444,oremail:info@lcaships.com.LCA’swebsiteis:www.lcaships.com.

ThePassengerVesselAssociationfocusesontheissuesandconcernsof ownersandoperatorsof passengervessels,manufacturersof maritime-relatedproductsandservicesandotherservicecompaniesdedicatedtoachievingacommongoalandworkingtodevelopasuperiorbusinessenvironmentforall.Theassociation’saddressis:103OronocoStreet,Suite200,Alexandria,VA22314.Phone:(800)807-8360(toll-free)or(703)518-5005.PVA’swebsiteis:www.passengervessel.com/.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operatesfloatingequipmentwhichmaintainsandimprovesthenation’swaterways.Thisfloatingequipmentisalsomannedbycivilservants.Employmentopportunitiesareverylimited,andmaybefoundatwww.usace.army.mil/.

OFFSHORE OIL AND MINERAL

Offshore Marine Services Association, Inc. (OMSA)935GravierStreet,Suite2040,NewOrleans,LA70112-1657,Phone:504-528-9411isanassociationof companieswhichoperateoilandmineralvesselssuchascrewandsupplyboatsthatsupportoffshoreoilandmineralrigsandplatforms.OMSA’swebsitecontainslistingsof companiesandemploymentcontactsontheinternetat:www.offshoremarine.org.

Thefollowingwebsitesalsoprovideinformationonavailablejobopportunitiesinthemaritimeindustry:www.goships.comwww.shiptalkjobs.comwww.findmaritimejobs.comThislistisnotall-inclusiveanddoesn’trepresentanendorsementbyanypartof theU.S.Government.

MARITIME EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Maritime Theme SchoolsMaritimeprogramsareofferedinvariousmiddleandhighschoolsaroundthecountry.Thesepro-gramsproviderigorousacademicprogramswithafocusonmaritimestudies,science,andtechnology.Theyalsoprovidestudentswiththeopportunitytoentermaritimecareersupongraduationortopursuefurtheradvancedmaritimeeducationatavocationalschool,communitycollege,serviceacademyormari-timeacademy.ContacttheU.S.Departmentof EducationortheAssociationforCareerandTechnicalEducationforinformationregardingmaritimethemeschools.Alistof highschoolsorassociationswithmaritime-orientedprogramscanalsobefoundat:marad.dot.gov.Clickon“Education”

Maritime AcademiesTherearesevenmaritimeacademiesintheU.S.thateducateandtrainindividualstobecomeofficersinthemerchantmarine.GraduatesreceivecollegedegreesandU.S.CoastGuardlicensesasSTCWqualifieddeckorengineeringofficers.

US Merchant Marine Academy300SteamboatRoadKingsPoint,NY11024Phone:(866)546-4778www.usmma.edu

California Maritime Academy200MaritimeAcademyDriveVallejo,CA94590Phone:(707)654-1000www.csum.edu/

Great Lakes Maritime AcademyNorthwesternMichiganCollege715EastFrontStreetTraverseCity,Michigan49686Phone:(800)748-0566ext.1200www.nmc.edu/maritime/

Maine Maritime AcademyCastine,ME04420-5000Phone:(800)464-6565(Instate) (800)227-8465(Outof State)www.mainemaritime.edu/

Massachusetts Maritime Academy101AcademyDriveBuzzardsBay,MA02532Phone:(508)830-5000www.maritime.edu

State University of New York Maritime College 6PennyfieldAvenueThroggsNeck,NewYork10465Phone:(718)409-7200www.sunymaritime.edu/

Texas Maritime AcademyTexasA&MUniversityatGalvestonBox1675Galveston,Texas77553-1675Phone:(877)322-4443www.tamug.edu/corps/

Maritime Labor affiliated Schools

TheU.S.maritimeindustryoperateshighquality,state-of-the-arttrainingfacilitiesthatprovideawidevarietyof coursesformarinersenteringtheindustryaswellasthoseupgradingtheirqualifications.

Calhoon MEBA Engineering School27050SaintMichaelsRoadEaston,MD21601Phone:(410)822-9600www.mebaschool.org/

Andrew Furuseth School of Seamanship450HarrisonStreetSanFrancisco,CA94405Phone:(415)777-3400www.sailors.org

Maritime Institute of Technology and Gradu-ate Studies (MITAGS)692MaritimeBoulevardLinthicum,Maryland21090Phone:(866)656-5568www.mitags.org

Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI)1729AlaskanWaySouthSeattle,WA98134Phone:(888)893-7829www.mates.org

Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and

EducationBox75PineyPoint,MD20674-0075Phone:(301)994-0010/(877)235-3275(toll-free)www.seafarers.org

RTM STAR Center2WestDixieHighwayDaniaBeach,FL33004Phone:(800)445-4522/(toll-free);954-921-7254www.star-center.com

Maritime Administration Marine Fire Fighting

TheMaritimeAdministrationoperatestheGreatLakesFireTrainingCenter.TheCentertrainsmarinerstoextinguishlivefiresinarealisticship-likestructure.ThetrainingmeetsU.S.CoastGuardrequirementfortrainingandcertificationof seaman.

Maritime Administration Fire Training Center 2600S.EberRoadSwanton,Ohio43558Phone:(419)574-1965Email:GLFireschool@dot.gov

Other Schools

Numerousschoolsexistaroundthecountrythatprovidemaritimetrainingfornewandexperiencedmariners.InJanuary2009therewereover1,750CoastGuardapprovedcoursesofferedbyover245trainingproviders.Acurrentlistingof thesecoursesandtrainingproviderscanbefoundontheUSCGNMCwebsiteat:www.uscg.mil/nmc/

AdditionalschoolsarelistedontheCareersAfloatwebsiteat:marad.dot.gov/.Clickon“Education”

Thisbookletisforinformationalpurposesonly.Referencestoanycompaniesororganizations

hereinnotbeconstruedasanendorsementof anyproduct,service,orpositionbytheUnitedStatesGovernment,theMaritimeAdministration,oremployeesthereof.MarAd'sroleomPromotingarobustUnitedStatesmerchantmarinedoesnotimplythattheGovernmentapprovesof theworkproductof anyorganizationorconsidersanyorganization'sworkproducttobesuperiortotheotheproductsorservices.

Marittime Admimistrationhttp://www.marad.dot.gov

-or-U.S. Coast Guard

For information onmariner credentialing

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc