Any other hawswpipers?

[YoungEngineer]

Wow. like i had stated i may have been one of the lucky ones that slipped through the cracks. I guess i can count myself lucky to have gotten this far. As for sailing illegally im not to sure about that one. According to the vessels COI (and it being a ISM/IMO) all that was required was a licensed engineer and wiper for the engine room department. Why STCW did not play in this is due to the vessel being restriced to the GOM. The rules do change when outside the GOM and it is harder to obtain a STCW. So i can understand your fusteration on trying to obtain this document. As for your question of who holds a second assistant engineer or higher. A DDE 4000 under the new MMC rules does. However he must hold a STCW, and OICEW endorment as well. The only reason i do know this to be fact is. I hold a DDE 4000 with STCW / OICEW and i hold domestic endorsment of 2nd 3rd assistant engineer, Assitant engineer LTD, DDE. This is how it looks on my MMC. Another thing that will aid you in obtaining your STCW is your sea time letter. If your company words the letter stating supervisory positon or equilvalint it shows the REC that you are holding a watch on the vessel under a licensed engineer. If this works anymore i am not sure however that is what my old sea time letters state. Oh i did not mention that both the engineers that i worked under had a STCW with OICEW endorsments so they did not have to be an assessor to sign off my assessment sheets. I wish i could help you out more but this has been my experiance so far and hopefully more years to come. BTW the dive company i work for is always looking for well trained QMED's. Mery Christmas and good luck to you on trying to obtain that endorsment.

FIX IT OR GO HOME

[pwrmariner]

STCW does not apply to GOM vessels? When I read the regulation(s) they state anything over 200grt and powered by main propulsion of 1,000hp or more and operate beyond the demarcation line....In other words STCW does apply to GOM vessels. Can any one else jump in here please.
You post in my other thread, states things have changed since 2007. One of those things you might be referring too is USCG policy 14-02, which came out July/2002. The only thing that has changed in that regard, is the enforcement. Which leads me to the NPRM Proposed Rule Changes, you should check that out!!

[Steamer]

"As for your question of who holds a second assistant engineer or higher. A DDE 4000 under the new MMC rules does. However he must hold a STCW, and OICEW endorment as well. The only reason i do know this to be fact is. I hold a DDE 4000 with STCW / OICEW and i hold international endorsment of 2nd 3rd assistant engineer, Assitant engineer LTD, DDE. This is how it looks on my MMC."

I could well be mistaken at the rate things are changing, but a DDE of any description, or a 3rd and 3nd unlimited are operational not management level certificates and are not equivalent to an "international 2nd or 3rd assistant." A second engineer in the international world of STCW is a 1st engineer in the US system and is a managment level certificate. The US 2nd or 3rd assistants are unlimited operational certificates and are called EOOW or Engineering Officer of Watch in STCW speak.

About the only equivalent a lower level engine license will get is a yacht endorsement by one of the Red Ensign group flags or maybe a RFPEW to sail as an unlicensed rating unless your STCW says A-III/2 on it somewhere.

[dougpine]

...and operate beyond the demarcation line....

Boundary line.

[fairtry]

I'm a hawspiper just starting out also, leaving the commercial fishing industry after 25 yrs. I'm taking my BST and lifeboat classes in a month or so to complete my A/B unlimited and 100 ton NC, going to apply for my twic card ,how long does it take to get this once you apply?this forum and the contributors are great,lots of usefull info thanks to all.

[pwrmariner]

how long does it take to receive the twic/mariner credentials?? Varies from mariner to mariner !! Almost every one of us has a sea story depicting a long waiting period to get our credentials/upgrades...It has gotten better though?! Your just going to have to go through the process and hope for the best if you want to sail. Whatever help that can give

[SaltySailor]

This whole question of RFPEW is something I find very annoying... I have over 180 days of sea-time in the engine room (wiper) but it was all domestic sea-time, I didn't even need a BST. I let my MMD lapse and I'm planning to either sit for the QMED FOWT exams at a REC or take an Approved Course in lieu of the exam.

Here are my two big questions:

Which is quicker? Approved Course or Exam? It seems I would have to re-apply for the MMC, have my letters of sea-time evaluated and then take the exam and wait for the results to be checked and a MMC with OS/FH/QMED FOWT to be issued from the USCG NMC. But an Approved Course with my application would be quicker.

Just how am I supposed to get the RFPEW signed off if I there are almost no jobs for wipers on deep-sea ships (except SIU controlled vessels)? And I was hoping to possibly go to the GOM on a large OSV to get the RFPEW assesments done... But It needs to be on a large ship with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd AE's? Or can a DDE sign-off on it?

Thanks in advance everybody!

[Kingrobby]

These are some of the same concerns I have and why I'm thinking of going to a school next year that gives the seatime AND the assessments for the QMED ratings & RFPEW. Assuming I pass the course I would just have to go the USCG and test, no sea time or assessments to get after the course before testing.

[cajuntugster]

welcome to the new merchant marine!!

[YoungEngineer]

Hello all it has been a while since i have logged on. I would like to make a correction to my previous post.
A DDE 4000 under the new MMC rules does. However he must hold a STCW, and OICEW endorment as well. The only reason i do know this to be fact is. I hold a DDE 4000 with STCW / OICEW and i hold international endorsment of 2nd 3rd assistant engineer, Assitant engineer LTD, DDE

After reviewing many things i have come to find out under the new STCW changes coming in July 2010 (maybee). That the 2nd and 3rd assistant is NOT INTERNATIONAL it is domestic and limited to 500 GRT near coastal. Sorry about the bad information on that post. After hours of talking to the NMC, and USCG the new STCW changes are restructering the engineering side. (so to speak) There will be no more DDE 1,000 it will be 2nd, 3rd, asst eng A/E Limited up to 4,000 HP. This will be on domestic vessels near coastal. After following the new chart and hours of mind numbing reading I have found that the NMC/USCG are structering the domestic side to mirror the Oceans side. So the chain can look something like this for a new mariner looking to go to the engine room.

Oiler (QMED)
3RD Engineer (under 4,000hp)
2ND Engineer (under 4,000hp)
DDE 4,0000 (all these steps are limited to domestic tonnage 500 GRT near coastal)

DDE AHP / A/E Limited Oceans (1,600 GRT 3,000 ITC) a DDE AHP is good for any waters and the A/E Limited Oceans you do qualify for but have to take the electrical exam. For those of you who are like me and have to start from square one. Electrical can be a pain in the you know what.

C/E Limited or 3rd A/E
both of these positions require testing and evaluation and is the next step in the chain after you obtain your DDE AHP.

There is a question i would like to answer also that was posted.

Just how am I supposed to get the RFPEW signed off if I there are almost no jobs for wipers on deep-sea ships (except SIU controlled vessels)? And I was hoping to possibly go to the GOM on a large OSV to get the RFPEW assesments done... But It needs to be on a large ship with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd AE's? Or can a DDE sign-off on it?

Yes a DDE 4,000 can sign off on your assesments. However the person holding the DDE 4,000 must have STCW / OICEW endorsment on thier license. If they don't your going to need someone with a bigger license to sign you off.

I am a hawspiper and have had to study many books that were hand me downs to pass the USCG exams. However just as some extra info for those of you starting out. My brother is attending school for QMED-Oiler a 9 day class, testing on the 9th day. He was informed that when he passes he will get a certificate mailed to him in 7 to 10 days that he can submitt to the USCG/NMC and obtain his ticket. This school was around $800.00 with meals and sleeping accomidations. After doing this there is no testing at the REC since it is now a USCG approved course. This can make things a bit easier for those of you just starting out. As for the RFPEW and getting your assesments singed off. This can be alot harder than sqeezing blood from a carrot. However if you do come across a DDE 4,000 just ask if they have STCW/OICEW endorsment, and your in. Hope this helps you all out, and again sorry for the bad info on the previous post.

YoungEngineer
Fix it or Go home

[pwrmariner]

the school your referring to for qmed is great, provided you desire to be limited to OSV's your whole career. If you have any desire or think you may have a desire to work on a AGT ship, you will have to go somewhere else for your qmed.

[Jolly Tar]

Attachment 750

Let there be NO question

[TxKingfisher]

linky no worky