CPM USCG Application Information

USCG Application Information

Merchant Mariner Credentials

(MMC)

are issued by the US Coast Guard

and

authorize the

authority to work on,

operate,

or stand a watch on

commercial vessels

This include all forms

of vessels

from

small

fishing

guide boats to

the largest

Merchant Ships.

Merchant Mariner

Credentials

(MMC) are issued as endorsements.

MMC

Officer's Endorsements

includes OUPV, Master and Mate. These

endorsements

are commonly referred to as licenses and issue the

authority to be in charge of the vessel

or to be in charge of a

navigational

watch on the vessel.

MMC Rating Endorsements

includes ordinary seaman and able

seaman.

These

endorsements are commonly referred to as an MMD

(Merchant

Marine Document) or a

"Zcard" and issue the authority to

work as a

deckhand in different

capacities

commercial vessels.

MMC STCW International Endorsements

are required for ships

greater

than 200 tons

on international voyages.

Application Checklists

View the checklist to identify the USCG forms and documentation required.

Original License Checklist This checklist is for use when applying for
an original issue of an MMC endorsed as OUPV, Master or Mate.
Original Able Seaman Checklist This checklist is for use when applying
for an original issue of an MMC endorsed AB or QMED.
Original Ordinary Seaman Checklist This checklist is for use when
applying for an original issue of an MMC endorsed as OS.
Renewal Checklist This checklist is for use when applying for the
renewal of an MMC.

The MMC Application

Your Merchant Marine Credential Application must consist of the

following

documents:

Tra

nsportation Identification Workers Identification Credential

(TWIC)

All applicants and any holding a MMC must also hold a

valid

TWIC.

Applicatio

n Form CG 719B

This is the standard application form required for all MMC

transactions

Merchant Marine Physical Exam Form CG 719K

A merchant marine physical is required to be included with almost

all

applications and will remain on file for one year. This exam may

completed

by any medical doctor, but must be completed on

the

USCG form provided.

Click here to view the instructions.

Merchant Marine Evaluation of Fitness Form CG 719K/E

This form is only used when apply for an entry level rating of ordinary

seaman. In all other cases use CG 719K.

DOT Drug Test Form CG 719P

A DOT approved drug test is required to be included with almost

all

applications and will remain on file for six month. The form

includes

instructions and alternatives to drug testing.

Small Vessel Sea Service Form CG 719S

This

form is required for

documenting sea service experience on

recreational vessels and vessels of less than 200 tons

Training Certificates

Original copies of all course completion certificates

Additional Documentation Required for an Original Issuance

Social Security card
Proof of US citizenship (US Passport or Birth Certificate)

Character References

Three letters of character reference are required for an application

for

original MMC officers endorsement. You do not need to

provide

character references for any rating endorsement or for an

upgrade to

existing license.

Sea Service Experience

Most MMC Endorsements require the mariner to document sea service

experience. This

represents your experiences involving boats over the

course of you lifetime and can

include experience with most any type of

vessel on any waters, but you must be able to

document the

experience.

Documenting Sea Service Experience

The easiest way to document sea service experience on small vessels

use the

small boat sea service form 719S

provided by the

USCG.

Complete

one form for

every vessel you are claiming

experience on and

have the

vessel owner or the

operator sign the

form documenting your

experience.

If you were the owner than

you

will need to provide proof

ownership to

document your experience.

Inland verses Ocean sea service

The boundary line, sometime called the demarcation line, divides

inland

and

ocean sea service. This is a line drawn at the most

seaward points

land

the entrance to rivers, bays, harbors and

sounds. For

southeastern

Alaska it

is a line drawn between the most

seaward points

of the inlands

and for the

Straights of Juanda Fuca it

is a line drawn

directly north from

Point Angeles to

the US-Canadian

border.

Any day served aboard a vessel operating on waters shoreward
of the boundary line is an inland sea day.
Any day served aboard a vessel operating on waters seaward
of the boundary line is an ocean sea day.

Sea Service Experience

Definitions

Sea service experience is measured in eight-hour calendar days.

1 Sea Day

ny day that you are on a boat, had a position of authority

such

deckhand, helmsman or lookout, and

were

away from

the dock

for

more than 4-hours counts as one eight-hour day.