how to become a merchant seaman
How to Become a Merchant Seaman
Anyone aboard a ship, right from trainee deckhands to experienced engineers working in the engine department, can be called a merchant seaman. This Buzzle article will tell you how to become a merchant seaman.
"I went in for training to be a merchant seaman because I'd help build those ships. I wanted to go further."
A merchant seaman works on cargo ships, tankers, and similar water vessels. He may be required to assume a variety of roles while he is on board, ranging from a deckhand to the captain. Experience is important to progress in this field; one needs to start at the bottom and work their way up. If you begin as a deckhand, a college education may or may not be required; however, while applying for engineering positions, you need to have a bachelor degree program in the related subjects.
That said, credentials are mandatory with every designation, i.e., irrespective of whether you are an engineer or a deckman, you will need to obtain the Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). In the following paragraphs, you will understand how to become a merchant seaman.
― Clarence Coughenour, Merchant Marine, World War II
Brief Background
- A merchant naval ship consists of a little more than a dozen members.
- There a few engineers, the captain, the deckhands, etc.
- More often that not, these members have to know each other's responsibilities, i.e., a deckhand should have an idea of what the engineer does in the engine room and the engineer should know how to steer the ship when necessary.
Job Description
- Merchant seamen take care of the cleaning and maintenance duties - cleaning the dirt, rust, grime, streaks, etc., on the deck and other parts of the ship, painting the interiors and exteriors of the ship, sweeping and mopping when necessary, etc.
- They need to steer the ship carefully, keep a lookout for obstructions, direct ships away from the troubled waters, help in the loading and unloading of cargo, etc.
- They also need to repair the complex equipment and machinery when necessary.
- They have to understand the working of the engine department - in case there is an emergency and an engineer is unavailable due to some reason, the seaman should be able to grasp the situation and take the necessary steps.
Prerequisites
- Hard work
- Team Spirit
- Physical Strength
- Good communication skills
- Mechanical and social skills
- Ability to understand complex equipment
Education
- To be a successful merchant seaman, you require work experience more than formal education.
- That said, engineers just cannot go out and start off as one, they need to have completed their degree.
- Generally, an apprenticeship is sufficient for starting out at the trainee level.
- As for the qualifications, degree courses on subjects, like marine transportation, marine technology, marine operations, etc., will help.
- Some of these courses have on-the-job training as well.
- Another option is to join marine academies after high school. You will study related subjects here, and will be eligible to receive your credentials thereafter.
- It is actually difficult to get into a marine academy - you will require a nomination from the U.S. Senator.
- Along with that, you will be required to submit recommendation letters, a biographical essay, and undergo a fitness and medical test.
Procedure
- You will require merchant seaman credentials in order to begin working as one. You will need to fulfill the eligibility criteria for the same.
- To begin with, gather the forms necessary. Go to the nearest Regional Examination Center to do so and collect all the required applications.
- You can obtain the forms online as well, from the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center.
- Undergo the medical examination. Take a complete physical test, and report the results to the center.
- You will be required to undergo a thorough background screening as well, conducted by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
- You will undergo a drug screen test and report the results on the concerned form.
- Before applying for the MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential), you need to apply for the TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Credentials). This card is valid for five years; you will receive it around 2 months after the application.
- Then, fill up the application form for the MMC. You might even want to fill up the Small Vessel Sea Service Form, in case you have served time on a lifeboat or a tug boat.
- There are certain other forms to be filled as well, depending on whether you have served in the military or the navy.
- Generally, some people spend time working as a lifeboatman or as a coast guard and then apply to be a seaman. Your experience counts towards your credentials, so fill up the necessary forms very carefully and submit them to the center, with the necessary documentation.
- After your forms are accepted and approved, and the necessary investigations are carried out, your credential is mailed to you.
Ranks According to Experience
- Your ranks on the ship depend a great deal on your experience on the boat.
- If you have six months of experience on any kind of boat, in fact, even if you have spent a great deal of time in training, you will be eligible to load and unload cargo, work on lifeboats, and help in the maintenance department.
- A year of experience will raise your rank to an AB-Mobile Offshore Unit and get you promoted to larger vessels.
- Once there, you will be standing on the bow of the ship, performing navigation duties, looking for obstructions, etc.
- One and a half years of experience will raise you to the rank of AB-Limited, and you will be required to direct other staff and relay messages.
- A good three years of experience will promote you to the highest rank - AB-Unlimited. You can now perform the most vital functions, like checking the ship while on autopilot.
Job Outlook
- Merchant seaman jobs are very stressful and hectic, and require you to work very hard.
- A great number of duties need to be performed while on board.
- The BLS predicts a decent job growth for this field, yet, as technology improves, automation is reducing the dependence on humans.
- Nevertheless, the work will be immensely satisfying for someone who loves his job.