What is a U.S. Coast Guard License?
Officers aboard ships registered in the United States must be licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard (similar to the way pilots are licensed by the FAA) and must meet international standards of training if they are to serve on vessels undergoing international voyages. Organized shipboard in two departments, the Deck Department headed by the Chief Mate, and the Engine Department headed by the Chief Engineer, ship’s officers supervise the daily operations of the vessel. The junior licensed member of the Deck Department is the 3rd Mate and, in the Engine Department, the 3rd Assistant Engineer. Graduates of the Maritime College enrolled in License Programs are qualified to be licensed as 3rd Mates or 3rd Assistant Engineers upon passing a written examination administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Merchant Marine is not an Armed Service, nor is it related to the US Marine Corps; rather, it is a name for the commercial shipping industry. It is similar in organization to the commercial airline industry. Just as commercial pilots have licenses issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, merchant mariners (usually just called “mariners”) have licenses issued by the US Coast Guard. Deck officers in the Merchant Marine are called “mates.” Their licenses progress from Third Mate, then to Second Mate, further to First Mate, and ultimately to Master. Deck licenses are also qualified by the size of vessel that a mate can serve aboard, and the waters over which the mate may navigate. Engineering officers’ licenses progress from Third Assistant Engineer, to Second Assistant Engineer, then to First Assistant Engineer, and ultimately to Chief Engineer. Their licenses are also qualified by the type(s) of main propulsion engine which they may operate, and the maximum horsepower they may
