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USCG Engineering
(Note: Clicking on any button will take you directly to that section OR you can scroll down.)
Why Choose MPT’s Engineering Courses?
MPT’s Engineering Training & Exam Study Courses are taught by Chief Engineers with years of sea going experience. They are highly trained and hold teaching certificates as well as coast guard licenses and numerous continuing education certificates from manufacturers and associations. In addition to their high level of qualification, they are very passionate about teaching engineering, they enjoy working with their students and truly care about their students success and in helping them meet their career goals.
With MPT’s engineering programs, you will find instructor led classroom and hands-on practical training. MPT’s Engineer Training labs include dozens of diesel engines and generators, Refrigeration and A/C Units, Lincoln Electric Welding Labs (various models), Hydraulics and Pneumatics Equipment, Electrical Boards, Marine Heads, Reverse Osmosis Water Makers, Alfa Laval Centrifugal Fuel/Water Separator, Lathes and miscellaneous machine shop equipment, Boiler Water Testing Stations, as well as associated tools for each area and many types of parts and failed parts for demonstration, etc.
What License Should I Get?
We recommend that you get the best license or combinations of licenses and documents you qualify for! Check out the sea time requirements listed below and ask an MPT Admissions Representative for guidance. Please note that the information listed here, including sea time and training requirements is scheduled to change in the very near future. MPT recommends that you apply to the USCG for your license or document as soon as possible to avoid being in the new system and meeting the additional training and assessment requirements that will soon be necessary.
Horsepower Limitations:
NOTE: For all licenses except for DDE, HP Ratings are calculated by the following:
HP calculated based on engineering experience. (150 % of 50% of your highest HP experience rounded up to the next thousandth HP. i.e. if the highest HP that at least half of your experience was served on is 2500 X 150% = 3750 rounded up to 4000hp on your license. If this calculation is unlimited HP (over 10,000), then you will be given an unlimited HP license.
Modes of Propulsion:
NOTE: In addition to HP, you also apply for the mode(s) of propulsion
At least 1/3 of your experience must be on the mode of propulsion applied for. The options are Steam, Motor, Gas Turbines or a combination.
Engineering Qualifications & Sea Time Requirements:
Qualified Member Of The Engine Department (QMED)
Your Authority: STCW A-III/4
What the Able Seaman is to the deck department, the QMED is to the engineering department. It is a merchant mariners document endorsed for a specified qualified rating. QMED documents are required of a certain number of the engine department crew on every inspected vessel. QMED is also the entry level (starting point) for any merchant Engineering License. QMED’s are not restricted by the type or size of the vessel. Depending on your career goals and your areas of expertise, you choose the number of and type of ratings that you apply for. You will take a separate exam for each one, however our QMED course will prepare you for all of them. Ratings can be used to meet requirements on certain vessels or simply to indicate your experience and professional abilities. The QMED Endorsement on your Merchant Mariners Document will also endorse your STCW as Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (RFPEW) – QMED.
Ratings Available:
Oiler
Refrigerating Engineer
Deck Engineer
Fireman/Watertender
Junior Engineer
Electrician
Machinist
Pumpman
Citizenship Requirements
U.S. Citizens or Non U.S. Citizens with Permanent Residency Status
Sea time
At least 180 days of engineering department experience in any capacity on vessels of greater than 750kw/ 1000hp. Apply for as many ratings as you want.
Prerequisite Training
Basic Safety Training
Proficiency in SurvivalCraft/Lifeboatman
Recommended Training:
MPT's USCG Engineer Exam Preparation Program
Practical Assessments Required
RFPEW Assessments
Written Examinations taken at the USCG
General Safety + 1 additional exam module per rating applied for
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Designated Duty Engineer Licenses (DDE)
Your Authority: STCW A-III/1
A designated duty engineer is defined by STCW as the engineer in charge of a watch in a periodically unmanned engine room. It is therefore an operational level license, however, under the United States regulations, the DDE may serve as a Chief Engineer on domestic vessels of not more than 500grt. The STCW Certificate will only reflect authority at the A-III/1 level. It is available at three levels depending solely on the amount of engineering sea service the applicant has. The 1000 and 4000hp licenses are valid only on near coastal and inland waters and the unlimited horsepower level is valid on any waters. For many industries, including Towing, Offshore Supply, Megayachts, or other vessels up to 500 grt, this is an ideal license to obtain as a step towards the higher level assistant and chief engineer licenses. If you have enough sea service to obtain the unlimited hp DDE, we also recommend that you apply for the Chief OSV 3000gt and the Assistant Engineer Limited (1600grt/3000gt ITC) licenses as they all have the same sea time requirements. Remember to get as many endorsements as you can for the sea service you have acquired and the examinations you will be taking.
U.S. Citizenship is required
Sea time (all over 750kw/1000hp)
90 days of recency sea time in the last 3 years for any level Engineering License
1000HP - At least 360 days of engineering experience including 50% of the service as QMED or Equivalent Supervisory Service (In charge of the engineering watch). This is a near coastal license.
4000HP - At least 720 days of engineering experience including 50% of the service as QMED or Equivalent Supervisory Service (In charge of the engineering watch). This is a near coastal license.
Unlimited HP - At least 1080 days of engineering experience including 50% of the service as QMED or Equivalent Supervisory Service (In charge of the engineering watch). This is an unlimited oceans license. Also apply for Assistant Limited.
Proficiency in Survival Craft/Lifeboatman
Advanced Firefighting
Medical First Aid
Not at the this time (will be changing soon)
General Engineering
Safety
Motors
Optional modules for alternate modes of propulsion, i.e. Steam or Gas Turbine
Assistant Limited Engineer Licenses: Assistant Up To 1600grt/3000gt ITC
An assistant engineer is defined by STCW as the engineer in charge of a watch and this level is limited to vessels of not more than 1600grt or 3000gt ITC. The horsepower you will have authority on will either be unlimited or limited depending on your experience. Please refer to the Horsepower Calculations as listed below. It is therefore an operational level license. If you have enough sea service to obtain the assistant engineer, you would also qualify for the unlimited hp DDE and we also recommend that you apply for the Chief OSV 3000gt as these licenses all have the same sea time requirements. Remember to get as many endorsements as you can for the sea service you have acquired and the examinations you will be taking.
.U.S. Citizenship is required
At least 1080 days of engineering experience with at least half as QMED or equivalent
Electrical
Chief Limited Engineer Licenses: Serve As Chief Up To 1600grt/3000gt ITC
Your Authority: STCW A-III/2
A Chief engineer is defined by STCW as an engineering officer at the management level, and this level is limited to vessels of not more than 1600grt or 3000gt ITC. The horsepower you will have authority on will either be unlimited or limited depending on your experience. Please refer to the Horsepower Calculations as listed below. This license is available at the Near Coastal and Oceans level depending on your experience. If you only qualify for the Near Coastal, we recommend that you also apply for the DDE Unlimited if you do not already have it.
UU.S. Citizenship is required
NEAR COASTAL LEVEL: At least 1440 days of engineering experience, with 360 while holding a license and serving in either an Assistant or Chief . Engineer Capacity.
OCEANS LEVEL: At least 1800 days of engineering experience, with 720 while holding a license and serving in either an Assistant or Chief Engineer Capacity.
90 days of sea time in the last 3 years for any level engineering license
Operational Licenses: Unlimited Tonnage
An assistant engineer is defined by STCW as the engineer in charge of a watch. On merchant ships, the third assistant engineer has duties that reflect the amount of experience the holder has and generally serves as the “mechanical level” and junior officer of the watch and the second assistant engineer having an additional year of service would be the senior officer of the watch with additional responsibilities. Both of these levels answer to the management level, which are the First Assistant Engineer also known as the Second Engineering Officer and the Chief Engineer. The horsepower you will have authority on will either be unlimited or limited depending on your experience. Please refer to the Horsepower Calculations as listed below.
THIRD ASSISTANT ENGINEER:
At least 1080 days of engineering experience, 720 as QMED or through a 4 year marine engineering degree program at an approved college
SECOND ASSISTANT ENGINEER:
At least 360 days while holding and serving as 3rd A/E License or 180 days as 3rd plus 360 days as QMED while holding 3rd A/E.
Management Licenses: Unlimited Tonnage
Chief engineer and First Assistant Engineer (also known as Second Engineering Officer) licenses are defined by STCW as engineering officers at the management level. The First A/E answers directly to the Chief Engineer and is the engineering equivalent of the Chief Mate in the deck department. The horsepower you will have authority on will either be unlimited or limited depending on your experience. Please refer to the Horsepower Calculations as listed below.
FIRST ASSISTANT/SECOND ENGINEER OFFICER:
At least 360 days while holding and serving as 2nd A/E License or 180 days as 2nd plus 360 days as 3rd A/E while holding 3rd A/E.
CHIEF ENGINEER:
At least 360 days while holding and serving as 1st A/E License or 180 days as 1st plus 360 days as 2nd A/E while holding 2nd A/E.
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