SUNY Maritime College Introduces New Assistant Engineer License Program

Program may be of special interest to mariners working aboard vessels in an unlicensed capacity in the engine room, or in other areas of the industry.

SUNY Maritime College is now offering a 30-month Assistant Engineer (Limited Oceans) License Program, leading to an Associate Degree in Applied Science. Maritime is the only college in the United States to offer this program that upon completion, allows a student to receive a license as an Assistant Engineer (Limited-Oceans) of steam and/or motor vessels. The new license program meets all STCW requirements for licensed engineers and is USCG approved. In addition to the license, students also receive certification as QMED and Lifeboatman.

In addition to classroom training, students enrolled in the program must complete 45 days of sea service aboard the SUNY Maritime College Training Ship, The Empire State VI. The balance of sea service will be spent on sea-going commercial vessels of not less than 200 gross registered tons with a minimum of 1,000 horsepower and have manned engine rooms or periodically unmanned engine rooms.

Once a student has completed this 30-month program, he or she will be able to serve as an Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch in a Manned Engine Room or Designated Duty Engineer in a Periodically Unmanned Engine Room. “We believe that the program will be appealing to mariners currently working aboard vessels in an unlicensed capacity in the engine room, or in other areas of the maritime industry. Veterans are eligible to apply their benefits to this program as well,” noted Captain Ernest J. Fink, USCG (Ret), Chairman of the Professional Education & Training Department/ Graduates of the program will be qualified for employment as licensed assistant engineers on-board tugs and other commercial vessels of limited tonnage in ocean or near coastal trade where a license is required or desired by the employer.

To learn more about the program, contact the SUNY Maritime College Admissions office at 718-409-7200 or visit: www.sunymaritme.edu.