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:[email protected].
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:[email protected]’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:[email protected]
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