How Do You Become A Merchant Seaman?
The merchant seaman is a professional. Beyond a profession, it is your way of life. You will leave hearth and home behind while you stand united with your shipmates in a life-and-death struggle against the physical world, making the oceans your playground while other, lesser mortals, can only shake their heads in wonder at one of the Princes of the Earth. Step 1 Get all the required forms. Go to the nearest U.S. Coast Guard Regional Examination Center to pick up the application for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), the drug test forms and the medical forms. If you are not near a Regional Examination Center, the forms are available online at the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center website. Step 2 Get a physical. Have your physician give you a physical and report the results on the Coast Guard medical forms, the Personnel Physical Examination Report (Form CG-719K), the Certification of Fitness for Entry Level Ratings Form (CG-719K/E) and the Medical Waiver Submission Form (MLD-R
