Marine training involves formal education and onboard experience, followed by certification or licensing exams through a country’s maritime agency. Deck officers learn navigation, signaling, and ship construction, while engineer officers learn about diesel engines and turbines. STCW requires safety training, and captains can obtain licenses for different types of vessels.
Marine training generally involves gaining formal education and experience performing tasks directly related to maintaining or handling a vessel. Whether employed on commercial cargo ships, passenger vessels or private yachts, maritime professionals typically must have completed required courses at an approved college while gaining onboard experience. Upon completion of the necessary academic and practical requirements, individuals may qualify to take certification or licensing exams through a country’s maritime agency. In the United States, that agency is the United States Coast Guard.
Deck officer marine training usually begins with crew training as a cadet. Students take math and science courses, as well as learn navigation, signaling, and radar. They also acquire knowledge relating to ship construction and stability, handling and steering. Courses may specialize in cargo handling or passenger craft. Periodically, students receive assessments and must take written exams.
Merchant navy job training also varies according to the size of the ship and the types of waterways the ship travels through. In about three years, students can earn an associate degree in maritime training and qualify for licensing exams. Passing the exam generally qualifies the policy holder as a third party official. Advancing from third mate to first mate, or general director, usually involves extended classroom study and experience at sea.
Students must also receive training in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). STCW requires officers to obtain familiarization and safety training. These marine training courses usually involve basic firefighting, first aid and survival skills. Students not only learn personal safety skills, but also methods of emergency procedures to keep crew and passengers safe.
Individuals seeking marine training for engineer officers typically complete courses involving the operation, maintenance, and repair of diesel engines and turbines. Students also learn the electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic aspects of equipment while acquiring repair skills, including welding. Engineer officer marine training usually combines classroom study and sea navigation experience. Licensing varies according to experience, engine power and vessel size.
A ship’s captain can obtain maritime training for one of two different types of licenses. An operator’s license generally applies to uninspected vessels weighing up to 100 gross tons traveling up to 160 kilometers from shore. A master’s license applies to inspected or non-inspected vessels weighing up to 100 gross tons traveling up to 320 kilometers from shore. Students can earn a captain’s license by advancing third mate or enrolling in a captain’s training program.
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