Throughout this article, we ’ ll shroud everything you ’ ll want to know about the third Mate :
If you ’ re looking into third base checkmate license requirements and how to become a deck officer, you probably want more information before you jump into your third copulate prepare. We gathered information to help you through the process and answer some common questions. We ’ ll go over :
- The Work of a Third Mate
- How to Become a Third Mate
- The Salary of a Third Mate
- Third Mate Training Programs
Becoming a third base mate offers an excellent opportunity for those who want to advance their careers on the seas. Let ’ s begin by examining what character of work you do as a third gear mate .
What Is the Work of a Third Mate?
Specific day-to-day duties and responsibilities for a third mate depend on the type of ship you work aboard, but generally third mates are responsible for watchstanding, supervision of deck operations and safety.
As an Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch, they command the bridge during normal activities. Watchstanding and supervision duties fit into two broad categories — at-sea watch and in-port watch :
- At-Sea Watch – When underway, the third mate is in charge of navigation and vessel traffic management. They use the latest technology to plot safe courses and are familiar with traditional navigation practices like chart plotting and celestial navigation. Also, third mates often act as the helmsman — steering the ship while monitoring navigational aids.
- In-Port Watch – When on anchor or in port, deck officers supervise the loading and unloading of cargo, monitor security and stay in communication with other vessels and port authorities. These duties require constant attention from the senior deck officers.
- Safety Officer Duties — Third mates are often in charge of ensuring safety aboard large ships. They’re known as “safety officers,” and they must maintain compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations for all safety equipment. This includes monitoring firefighting, first aid and personal survival gear, as well as being prepared to dispatch and operate lifesaving vessels in an emergency.
Questions ? Contact a school adviser here .
Questions ? Contact a School Advisor
How to Become a Third Mate
The first step to becoming any high-level member of a transport ’ south gang is gaining have. You have to put in your prison term working the lower-level positions so that when you advance, you understand how to be a better director of your personnel. Crew members appreciate a supervisor who works with them and appreciates their work needs .
once you accumulate enough experience and ocean time, you ’ ll be able to enroll in a USCG-approved nautical train school and be on your manner to a forwarding. The most common direction to become a third teammate is by first becoming an able Seaman. An AB is the entry-level deck stead and allows you to gain the experience needed to become an officer. If you don ’ t have your able mariner endorsement, you can take a short classify that will allow you to pursue it .
You can besides apply for a maritime apprenticeship program to become a third base mate, which gives flying and cost-efficient solutions for individuals who have short or no maritime experience. During these apprenticeship programs, you can gain the have and qualifications needed to become a third base mate .
Learn More About Maritime Apprenticeship Programs
here is what you ’ ll necessitate to get your third spouse license .
Complete Sea Service Requirements for Third Mate License
You need 1080 days of sea fourth dimension. You can count any sea serve from age 16 ahead, but 90 of the 1080 days must be within the last three years. Remember these other requirements, excessively :
- Overtime doesn’t count toward days of sea service. One day is equal to 8 hours of work.
- Contact your marine employer for records of your sea time or fill out any other applicable time using the USCG sea service forms.
- If it’s been a long time since you’ve filled out sea service forms, make sure you follow the Coast Guard guide to documenting sea service.
Pass a USCG-Approved Exam to Become a Third Mate
If you enrolled in a nautical training academy to get your able seaman endorsement, then you know the best way to pass your upgrade test is through a USCG-approved education school. The certificate of completion remains valid up to one year after you finish the course, so there ’ sulfur time to accumulate more ocean service before applying to the Coast Guard if needed .
Secure a TWIC Card to Meet Third Mate Qualifications
You need a valid TWIC circuit board to upgrade to a third copulate. You may use the batting order you received for your original merchant mariner certificate .
Undergo a Medical Exam to Earn Your Third Mate License
Before you make an appointment with a doctor, use the USCG medical examination guidebook to avoid common errors that could prompt the Coast Guard to reject you. Choose a medical examiner who is companion with USCG physicals. A few of the portions of the physical necessitate careful attention that can well be missed .
Enroll in Drug Testing to Meet Third Mate Conditions
If you work presently as a merchant mariner, then you ’ re already enrolled in a random drug screening plan. Provide proof to the Coast Guard by contacting your marine employer for the drug test records. If you aren ’ triiodothyronine presently employed, find an low-cost drug screening program and enroll .
Fill Out a Merchant Mariner Application Form to Become a Third Mate
To apply, use the same USCG application form that you did for your original merchant mariner certificate, but be sure to specify that it ’ sulfur for your third match endorsement alternatively .
Pay Application Fees for the Third Mate License
Use the pay.gov on-line requital portal vein and pay the allow fees based on your type of merchant mariner certificate. Keep the payment confirmation for your records .
Fulfill the Age Requirements for Third Mate Licensing
You must be at least 19 years erstwhile to become a third mate .
To make certain there international relations and security network ’ t a delay in the adoption of your application, use the U.S. Coast Guard lotion checklist and tick all the boxes. The fastest manner to receive your endorsement is to scan your application documents and submit them through the USCG web site. You can expect to receive your license in about one to three months .
Questions ? Contact a educate adviser here .
Questions ? Contact a School Advisor
Read more: Maritime on Audiotree Live (Full Session)
An Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch
You ’ ve probably heard commanding officers referred to as OICNWs. What does it mean ?
When you apply for your third base mate license, there are a few second types available to you based on your ocean service. You can either apply for a USCG third checkmate oceans or near-coastal license and there are different tonnage qualifications that reflect the capability of ships on which you ’ ve served. In all of these cases, you need to receive your OICNW documentation .
The OICNW reservation ensures deck officers know how to operate using the safest navigational practices. It ’ s defined by the STCW, or Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, an internationally recognized typeset of rules that outlines condom marine operations. In 2010, the rules received their first significant revision since 1995, which took position in Manila, Philippines. Since the 2010 conventionality, some new requirements have been adopted for seafarers who plan to get an STCW endorsement .
These changes may affect you :
- More strict evaluation requirements to ensure mariner competency
- Increased minimum hours of rest for seafarers — to at least 10 hours in a 24-hour period
- Additional training with up-to-date technology like electronic charts and systems
- Environmental awareness training for marine environments
- Updated electro-technical officer training
- Improved guidelines for crew members working aboard hazardous container ships
- A new security protocol, including how to respond if your vessel is taken over by pirates
- Integration of online training programs
- New training procedures for using Dynamic Positioning Systems
OICNW Sea Service Guidelines
If you plan on working aboard big vessels in the modern marine industry, you need to stay up to date with full practices as navigational engineering evolves. These are the sea overhaul requirements for an OICNW :
- 1080 days of sea time aboard vessels as part of the deck crew on ocean waters, near coastal waters or in the Great Lakes. You may count service on all other navigable waters such as inland waters as half of the 1080 days.
- Half of your 1080 days must be performed under the supervision of an officer holding the OICNW endorsement, where you performed watchkeeping duties on the service bridge during operations.
- Days spent working in the engine department of a vessel may be used for up to 90 days of OICNW sea service.
alternatively of the 1080 days of service, it ’ s possible to enroll in an intensive on-the-water train program through a maritime institute. In these programs, you receive your copulate ’ second license after a year of school .
What to Study for the OICNW Written Exam
After you meet your ocean service requirements, you must be able to demonstrate a working-level understanding of these substantive OICNW skills through written examen :
- First aid and medical procedures
- Radar monitoring
- Search and rescue operations
- Visual signal techniques
- BRM, or bridge resource management
- Navigation, including terrestrial, celestial and electronic systems
- Watchkeeping in compliance with COLREGS and IMO Standard Marine
- Phrases of communication
- Proper handling and storage of cargo
- Ship handling
- Best practices of stability
- Weather prediction
- ARPA, or Automatic Radar Plotting Aids
- Distress signal equipment (GMDSS)
- Electronic charting
- Firefighting, personal survival and emergency vessel operation
If you have your Master ’ s license with an STCW second valid for vessels over 500 gross tons or for Offshore Supply Vessels, you do not need to take a written examen. You lone need to satisfy the other application requirements .
OICNW Renewal
Since January 2017, anyone wishing to renew an OICNW certificate must demonstrate the follow in a U.S. Coast Guard-approved aim course :
- A thorough understanding of the leadership and teamworking skills of STCW 2010, as defined in 46 CFR 11.309c1.
- Completion of USCG-approved ECDIS training program for working aboard vessels with ECDIS systems, according to 46 CFR 11.309c2.
- A high level of competence in Basic Training and Advanced Firefighting as in 46 CFR 11.303b.
What is the Salary of a 3rd Mate
The wage of a third copulate varies wide depending on your employer. As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, officer ’ s wages can range from $ 35,000 to over $ 135,000 per year, which equates to $ 17 to $ 60 per hour. The higher end of the spectrum is populated by officers who work for the petroleum industry in states like Texas and Louisiana .
Those annual wage statistics do not reflect all compensation in the merchant marine industry. When working aboard bombastic commercial vessels, your accommodation and meals are paid for, which significantly reduce your price of living and keeps money in your bank account. many companies besides offer their full-time employees health indemnity and significant paid vacation time due to the saturated work schedule .
If you ’ rhenium audacious and looking to maximize your wage per hour, marine employers offer supernumerary compensation for crew members who work with hazardous cargo or in dangerous conditions. You may besides sign up for a military military reserve program, which will grant you extra benefits and a higher wage. The hard bring schedule and extra pay opportunities for mariners mean they can retire early, often with excellent benefits .
Third Mate Training Programs
The MITAGS AB to Mate program is designed for know mariners looking to achieve the rank of deck officer. Our path covers all of the U.S. Coast Guard requirements to get your USCG near-coastal or third base mate oceans license, a well as the STCW requirements needed for an OICNW endorsement. After completing the program, you ’ ll be well-prepared to work confidently as a third gear match. We besides offer courses to get your Tankerman Person in Charge endorsement, Medical Person in Charge sanction and more .
The MITAGS programs are designed to maximize your time in aim and not repeat information you already know. Our third base spouse ’ sulfur course is available in three different lengths and intensities based on your skills and cognition before starting the platform :
- We offer a five-week course for mariners who already have extensive experience with cargo operations and navigational watchstanding. This course is designed to reinforce your knowledge and get you the formal certification in what you already know.
- Our 10-week course is intended for mariners with some experience in cargo operations and stability who need reinforcement of navigational watchstanding.
- Our 20-week course teaches you everything you need to know to become a deck officer in the marine workforce.
What You Gain by Taking a Course With MITAGS
By the end of all courses, you will have the assurance to command a real number bridge watch with no aid. Our third base match courses include :
- Navigation — general, near coastal and chart plotting
- Deck safety
- Deck general
- Rules of the road
- Firefighting
- Maritime law
- Ship handling and stability
- Cargo handling
- Tides, currents, and weather
- Practice exams
The MITAGS learn environment is relaxed and professional. The third base mate course contains a set of information, and we give you personalized serve throughout the integral process. Using advance simulation engineering and real-world feel from seasoned mariners, we offer a hands-on memorize experience that prepares you for the work force .
We not only help you pass the Coast Guard interrogation, but we besides pride ourselves in keeping our course of study relevant and useful. Check out the MITAGS AB to Mate path and realize your wide electric potential — your future as an military officer begins today .
Questions ? Contact a School Advisor
Read more: Maritime on Audiotree Live (Full Session)
TL;DR : A third mate is an officeholder of a ship ’ s deck department and is creditworthy for supervising many high-priority operations. To become a third mate you need to be 19 years or older, have 1080 days of sea meter, pass a USCG-approved examination, secure a TWIC card, pass a aesculapian examination and drug screen, fill out a merchant application and pay application fees for your Third Made License .