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Engineering With Elmer

by: Chief Engineer Elmer Morley

Q. Elmer,

I have some questions about my Engineering License. I took your course last year and got my DDE, can you tell me what I have to do to use this internationally? Jason

A. Jason,

Existing mariners had a set of “gap closing” requirements to fulfill. These were based on the premise that their licenses/documents were generally compliant with the original code and therefore they would only need to complete the “new” training and assessment criteria. For Engineers, this included Basic Safety Training, Proficiency In Survival Craft (or lifeboatman) and Medical Care Provider. With a DDE License your STCW should be issued as Officer In Charge of an Engineering Watch OICEW (periodically unmanned engine rooms limited to 500grt and various horsepower depending on your license).

If your license is DDE unlimited, or if you have a total of 1080 days of service, you can get an OICEW 1600/3000 tons (also called Asst Engineer Ltd.). This may require a test and may also require training. If you have additional sea time, 1440 total days (including what is on file) would get an upgrade to Chief 1600/3000 Near Coastal and 1800 days would get Chief 1600/3000 Oceans. These would definitely require training and testing, but are well worth it.

You may still need to get some additional licensure or equivalency depending on the flag of the vessel you work on. Although most flags do accept any STCW Compliant License, there are some flags do not recognize the U.S. License at face value and may require you to obtain a license issued by their government to work on their vessels.

Good Luck!

Q. Elmer,

I am relatively new to yachting (less than a year). My true love is engineering, so I have been working as an assistant engineer. I have heard that there is a great need for engineers in this business. Can you tell me how to advance? Ian

A. Ian,

Yes, there is a great demand for engineers in yachting for a couple of reasons. First, yachts are very technologically complex and require engineers that are very well trained. Second, most yachts are large enough to be required to have certificated engineers onboard. Depending on the Flag of the vessel, the yacht may be required to have 2 or more engineers onboard at all times, especially when chartering.

Many large yachts are British Flagged, so you should consider obtaining an AEC (Approved Engine Course) Rating through the MCA (British Coast Guard), and then advance to MEOL (Marine Engine Operators License), then on to Class 4 and up Certificates of Competency as you gain more experience and training.

If you are a U.S. permanent resident or citizen, you can also apply for a RFPEW (Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch) and get a QMED Endorsement (Qualified Member of the Engine Department). This is particularly helpful as you acquire more sea time because it is a prerequisite for advancement to licensed status. Once, you have your QMED, start taking the OICEW training programs and assessments so that when you have enough time to get a U.S. License, it will not take as much time in school to get it. It is generally easier in this business to get a little time and money here and there for school than to wait and try to do it all at one time.