Military to Mariner Qualifications - Closing the Gaps

As a result of the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) to support the U.S. Coast Guard’s Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) Working Group (Task 30 – Military to Mariner), the US Coast Guard submitted 10 gap closing course assessments to NMC for partial approval to fill a portion of the training requirements for Able Seafarer Engine and Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch. The remaining task requirements will be met through additional resident training and formal structured on the job training performed on Coast Guard cutters. 

Earlier in the year, SOCP Member Glen Paine, Executive Director of MITAGS-PMI, brought the project proposal to the SOCP for approval to help facilitate and jump start the effort within the U.S. Coast Guard in transitioning military personnel into civilian maritime service.

This effective joint effort helped pave the way for a simple and efficient pathway by mapping the U.S Coast Guard’s training and qualifications with the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers, 1978, 1995, and the most recent revisions to the STCW Convention and Code of the 2010 Manila amendments, implemented on 24 MARCH 2014.

After the initial work of the SOCP, the Coast Guard drove the cross-walk activities internally with specific emphasis of the Machinist Mate and Boatswains Mate ratings. On August 5 & 6, 2015 the MERPAC Task 30 working group met in Alexandria, Virginia to draft its recommendations to the full MERPAC committee for consideration and submission to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Glen Paine summarizes this collaborative effort well by saying: “We need coherent pathways that allow people with diverse backgrounds and skills sets to enter our industry. Veterans have many of the key skills and attributes necessary for a successful maritime career. This is a unique moment where we have the attention of the decision-makers to make these pathways a reality! I want to thank SOCP and all participants for supporting this endeavor.”

The MERPAC will review the recommendations of task group 30 at its upcoming September 2015 meeting and submit its recommendations to the USCG for consideration and actions.