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Requirements: Apprentice mate, Mate (Pilot), Master
The towing license has three levels. Its is issued like other license, i.e. Oceans, Near Coastal, Great Lakes, Inland and Western Rivers. Limited restricts a license to certain routes and harbors. Entry level is, Apprentice Mate (Steersman). An OS or AB can apply for Apprentice Mate (Steersman) with 18 months sea time, 12 of the 18 months are requited to be on a towing vessel. Inland 3 months on each route. Advancement to Mate (Pilot), and then to Master requires no further examination, advancement is based on sea time, and TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record)
| TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record), is a official record of tasks accomplished by the apprentice and signed off by an approved Towing Assessor. |
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| Towing Assessors are approved by the NMC. Towing Company's or experienced Masters can submit a request to the National Maritime Center, by providing license info, experience, including vessel official numbers and tonnage. Call (202) 493-1064 for details. |
General requirements for licenses for master, mate (pilot), and apprentice mate (steersman) of towing
vessels.
(a) The Coast Guard issues the following licenses:
(1) Master of towing vessels.
(2) Master of towing vessels, limited.
(3) Mate (pilot) of towing vessels.
(4) Mate (pilot) of towing vessels, limited.
(5) Apprentice mate (steersman).
(6) Apprentice mate (steersman), limited.
(b) A license as master of towing vessels means a license to operate towing vessels not restricted to local areas designated by OCMIs. This also applies to a mate (pilot) of towing vessels.
(c) For this section, limited means a license to operate a towing vessel of less than 200 gross tons limited to a local area within the Great Lakes, inland waters, or Western Rivers designated by the OCMI.
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Required Sea Time |
18 months |
12 of the 18 months aboard a towing vessel. Inland and Rivers - 3 of the 18, on each particular route. |
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Exam Modules |
Number of Questions |
Minimum Score |
License |
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Rules of the Road |
30 |
90 |
All |
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Navigation General |
20 |
70 |
All |
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Deck, Nav General, Safety, & Environmental Protection |
60 |
70 |
All |
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Navigation Problems |
20 |
90 |
Oceans, Near Coastal, Great Lakes & Inland |
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Mississippi Map Navigation |
10 |
90 |
Western Rivers |
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Navigation Problems Oceans |
5 |
80 |
Oceans |
For all inland routes, as well as Western Rivers, the license as steersman
is equivalent to that as apprentice mate. All qualifications and
equivalencies are the same.
| Required Sea Time | Total of 24 months, 6 months as Apprentice Mate (Steersman) | Completed TOAR - No Exam Required |
Notes:
(1) Applicants for a raise in grade from Apprentice Mate (Steersman) Oceans
to Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels Oceans is based on sea service only,
and no examination is required.
(2) Applicants increasing the scope of their license to Mate (Pilot) of
Towing Vessels – Oceans and holding a license as Mate, Oceans, NMT 100
GRT must complete modules Rules of the Road, Navigation Problems, and
Deck & Nav General + Safety & Environmental Protection.
(3) Applicants holding a license as Mate, Oceans for tonnage greater than
200 GRT and First Class Pilot providing documentation of having completed
training and/or assessment in towing vessel operations may be issued this
license upon successfully completing modules Rules of the Road and Deck
& Nav General + Safety & Environmental Protection per CFR 10.465(f).
For more information see - CFR Title46 Part 10 Sec. 10.465
| Required Sea Time | Total of 36 months, 12 months as Mate (Pilot) | No Exam Required |
Notes:
(1) Applicants for a raise in grade from Mate (Pilot) Near Coastal to Master
of Towing Vessels Near Coastal is based on sea service only, and no examination
is required.
(2) Applicants increasing the scope of their license to Master of Towing
Vessels – Near Coastal and holding a license as Master, NMT 100 GRT (except
Rivers endorsed) must successfully complete modules Rules of the Road,
Navigation Problems, and Deck & Nav General + Safety & Environmental
Protection.
(3) Applicants holding a license as Master, Near Coastal for tonnage greater
than 200 GRT and First Class Pilot providing documentation of having completed
training and/or assessment in towing vessel operations may be issued this
license upon successfully completing modules Rules of the Road and Deck
& Nav General + Safety & Environmental Protection per CFR 10.464(g).
(4) Applicants must have completed the applicable STCW requirements prior
to being examined for this license.
(5) Applicants who began their service or training before May 21, 2001
may be issued this license after successfully completing the
modules in ESS 3-51.
For more information see - CFR Title46 Part 10 Sec. 10.464
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Navigation and position determination: |
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Ocean Track Plotting: |
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Middle Latitude Sailing |
NO | ||
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Mercator Sailing |
NO | ||
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Great Circle Sailing |
NO | ||
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Parallel Sailing |
NO | ||
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ETA |
NO | ||
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Piloting: |
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Distance Off |
YES | ||
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Bearing Problems |
YES | ||
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Fix or Running Fix |
YES | ||
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Chart Navigation |
YES | ||
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Dead Reckoning |
YES | ||
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Celestial Observations: |
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Special Cases (hi/lo Alt., Backsight) |
NO | ||
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Latitude by Polaris |
NO | ||
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Latitude by Meridian Transit |
NO | ||
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Lat. by Meridian Transit (Sun Only) |
Oceans | ||
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Fix or Running Fix (Any Body) |
NO | ||
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Fix or Running Fix (Sun Only) |
Oceans | ||
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Star Identification |
NO | ||
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Star Selection |
NO | ||
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Times of Celestial Phenomena: |
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Time of Meridian Transit |
NO | ||
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Time of Meridian Transit (Sun Only) |
Oceans | ||
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Second Estimate Meridian Transit |
NO | ||
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Zone Time Sun Rise/Set/Twilight |
Oceans | ||
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Zone Time Moon Rise/Set |
NO | ||
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Speed by RPM |
NO | ||
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Fuel Conservation |
NO | ||
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Electronic Navigation |
YES | ||
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Instruments and Accessories |
YES | ||
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Aids To Navigation |
YES | ||
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Charts, Navigation Publications, and Notices to Mariners |
YES | ||
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Naut. Astronomy & Nav. Definitions |
NO | ||
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Chart Sketch |
NO | ||
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Seamanship: |
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Marlinespike Seamanship |
YES | |
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Purchases, Blocks and Tackle |
YES | |
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Small Boat Handling Under Oars or Sail |
NO | |
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Watchkeeping: |
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COLREGS |
YES | |
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Inland Navigational Rules |
YES | |
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Basic Principles, Watchkeeping |
YES | |
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Navigation Safety Regs. (33 CFR 164) |
NO | |
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Radar Equipment: |
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Radar Observer Certificate |
Oceans | |
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Compass-Magnetic and Gyro: |
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Principles of Gyro Compass |
NO | |
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Principles of Magnetic Compass |
NO | |
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Magnetic Compass Adjustment |
NO | |
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Gyro Compass Error/Correction |
NO | |
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Magnetic Compass Error/Correction |
YES | |
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Determination of Compass Error: |
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Azimuth (Any Body) |
NO | ||
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Azimuth (Sun Only) |
Oceans | ||
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Amplitude (Any Body) |
NO | ||
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Amplitude (Sun Only) |
Oceans | ||
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Deviation Table Construction |
NO | ||
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Terrestrial Observation |
YES | ||
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Gyro Controlled Systems |
NO | ||
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Operation & Care of Main Gyro Systems |
NO | ||
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Meteorology and Oceanography: |
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Characteristics of Weather Systems |
YES | |
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Ocean Current Systems |
NO | |
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Weather Charts and Reports |
YES | |
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Tides and Tidal Currents: |
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Extensive Tidal Effects |
NO | ||
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Terms and Definitions |
YES | ||
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Publications |
YES | ||
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Calculations |
YES | ||
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Ship Maneuvering and Handling: |
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Approaching Pilot Vessel or Station |
NO | |
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Shiphandling in Rivers, Estuaries |
YES | |
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Maneuvering in Shallow Water |
YES | |
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Interaction with Bank/Passing Ship |
YES | |
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Berthing and Unberthing |
YES | |
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Anchoring and Mooring |
YES | |
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Dragging, Clearing Fouled Anchors |
NO | |
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Drydocking, with & without Prior Damage |
NO | |
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Heavy Weather Operations |
NO | |
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Maneuvering for Launching of Lifeboats and Liferafts in Heavy Weather |
YES | |
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Receiving Survivors From Lfbts/Lfrfts |
YES | |
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Turn Circle, Pivot Point, Advance and Transfer |
YES | |
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Determine Maneuvering Characteristics of Major Vessel Types |
NO | |
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Wake Reduction |
YES | |
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Ice Operations/Ice Navigation |
YES | |
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Towing Operations |
YES | |
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Ship Stability, Construction, and Damage Control: |
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Principles of Ship Construction |
NO | |
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Trim and Stability |
YES | |
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Damage Trim and Stability |
NO | |
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Stability, Trim, and Stress Calculation |
NO | |
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Vessel Structural Members |
NO | |
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IMO Ship Stability Recommendations |
NO | |
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Damage Control |
NO | |
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Change in Draft Due to Density |
NO | |
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Ship Power Plants: |
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Marine Power Plant Operating Principles |
NO | |
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Ships' Auxiliary Machinery |
NO | |
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Marine Engineering Terms |
NO | |
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Small Engine Operations and Maintenance |
NO | |
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Cargo Handling and Stowage: |
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Cargo Stowage and Security, Including Cargo Gear |
NO | |
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Loading and Discharging Operations |
NO | |
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International Regulations for Cargoes, Especially IMDG |
NO | |
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Dangerous/Hazardous Cargo Regulations |
NO | |
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Tank Vessel Safety |
NO | |
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Cargo Piping and Pumping Systems |
NO | |
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Cargo Oil Terms and Definitions |
NO | |
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Ballasting, Tank Clean., & Gas Free Ops |
NO | |
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Load on Top Procedures |
NO | |
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Barge Regulations (Operations) |
YES | |
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Fire Prevention and Firefighting Appliances: |
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Organization of Fire Drills |
YES | |
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Classes and Chemistry of Fire |
YES | |
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Firefighting Systems |
YES | |
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Firefighting Equip. and Regulations |
YES | |
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Firefighting Equip. & Regs. for T-Boats |
NO | |
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Basic Firefighting and Prevention |
YES | |
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Emergency Procedures: |
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Ship Beaching Precautions |
NO | |
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Actions Prior To/After Grounding |
NO | |
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Refloating a Grounded Ship |
NO | |
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Collision |
YES | |
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Temporary Repairs |
YES | |
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Passenger/Crew Safety in Emergency |
YES | |
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Fire or Explosion |
YES | |
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Abandon Ship Procedures |
YES | |
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Emergency Steering |
NO | |
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Rescuing Surv. From Ship/Airc. in Dist |
YES | |
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Man Overboard Procedures |
YES | |
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Emergency Towing |
YES | |
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Medical Care - Knowledge and use of: |
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Int'l. Medical Guide for Ships |
NO | |
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Ship Med. Chest and Med. Aid at Sea |
NO | |
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Medical Sec., Inter. Code of Signals |
NO | |
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1st Aid Guide: Accidents with Dangerous Goods |
NO | |
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First Aid |
YES | |
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Maritime Law: |
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International Maritime Law: |
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Int'l. Convention on Load Lines |
NO | ||
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SOLAS |
NO | ||
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MARPOL 73/78 |
NO | ||
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International Health Regulations |
NO | ||
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Other International Instruments for Ship/Pass/Crew/Cargo Safety |
NO | ||
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National Maritime Law: |
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Load Lines |
YES | ||
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Cert. and Documentation of Vessels |
YES | ||
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Rules & Regs. for Inspected Vessels |
NO | ||
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Rules & Regs. for Inspected T-Boats |
NO | ||
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Rules and Regs for Uninsp. Vessels |
YES | ||
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Pollution Prevention Regulations |
YES | ||
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Pilotage |
NO | ||
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Licensing & Certification of Seamen |
YES | ||
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Shipment and Discharge, Manning |
YES | ||
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Title 46 U.S. Code |
NO | ||
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Captain of the Port Regulations, Vessel Traffic Service Procedures for the Route Desired |
NO | ||
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Shipboard Management and Training: |
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Personnel Management |
NO | |
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Shipboard Organization |
NO | |
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Crew Training |
NO | |
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Ship Sanitation |
YES | |
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Vessel Alteration/Repair-Hot Work |
NO | |
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Safety |
YES | |
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Ship's Business: |
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Charters |
NO | |
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Liens, Salvage |
NO | |
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Insurance |
NO | |
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Entry, Clearance |
NO | |
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Certificates and Documents Required |
YES | |
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Communications: |
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Flashing Light |
NO | |
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Radiotelephone Communications |
YES | |
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Radiotelegraphy Emerg. Dist. Signals |
NO | |
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Signals: Storm/Wreck/Dist./Special |
YES | |
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International Code of Signals |
NO | |
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Lifesaving: |
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Survival at Sea |
YES | |
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Lifesaving Appliance Regulations |
NO | |
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Lifesaving Appliance Regs. for T-Boats |
NO | |
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Lifesaving Appliance Operation |
YES | |
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Lifesaving Appliance Ops. for T-Boats |
NO | |
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Search and Rescue: |
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Search and Rescue Procedures |
NO | |
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Amver |
NO | |