U.S.C.G. Lic. "Merchant Mariner"

[Capt.Felix]

Greetings and happy new years to all,
I have a question that I am sure someone on here could help me with. I hold a U.S.C.G. captains lic. and have for many years now. I have always wondered why I am considered a " Merchant mariner" by the USCG ? Over the years Ive had many discussions with friends and co-workers dealing with this topic. I have heard a few times that as a lic. USCG merchant mariner can be called upon by the Govt in a time of need.
If anyone could once and for all answer, or make sense of the USCG Merchant mariner questions Id be very appreciative.
Thanks,
Capt.Felix

[seadog!]

It's a voluntary thing-


From the MMC application:

Section V Mariners Consent

Mariner's Tracking System (Optional):

I consent to voluntary participation in the Mariner’s Tracking System to be used
by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) in the event of a national emergency or sealift crisis. In such an emergency,
MARAD would disseminate my contact information to an appropriate maritime employment office to determine my availability
for possible employment on a sealift vessel. Once consent is given, it remains effective until revoked in writing. Send signed
notice of revocation to the USCG National Maritime Center (NMC -4A), 4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 630, Arlington, VA 22203 -
1804

[Capt. Phoenix]

1) There is no such thing as a "captain" license. This leads me to believe you have a 100 ton master or less, probably a 6-pack, in which case you will not be called in a time of need because you cannot run anything useful to a war effort.

2) Any USCG documentation makes one a merchant mariner, even an OS document. If you make money (merchant) working on the water (mariner) you are a merchant mariner.

3) I think it would take a sea lift operation like World War II for them to attempt to force properly credentialed mariners to work on their ships. Even then it would likely be just contacting qualified individuals and begging them to sail. A lot of us would be helping the war effort anyway because our companies would be forced to work for the government.

[cappy208]

Did you sign this on your application at any time?

Section V Mariners Consent

Mariner's Tracking System (Optional):

I consent to voluntary participation in the Mariner’s Tracking System to be used
by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) in the event of a national emergency or sealift crisis.

if so, then you are in the database. If you didn't sign it, then your are not.

Of course you're a Merchant Mariner! A common misconception: Being a Merchant Mariner is NOT a branch of the military. It is not a part of the USCG. It is NOT an official government position. All it is (basically) is a US government issued ID/ drivers license (for boats). Think of it this way. Merchant is 'for profit.' Nothing the government does is for profit. (it may be self serving though) So a Merchant Mariner is a private/ commercial/ income producing position. Nothing more. Unfortunately we must be USCG documented to do this job.

At least you have differentiated yourself from all the wannabe's who keep saying.... I coulda got a license if I wanted to!

[cmakin]

Did you sign this on your application at any time?

if so, then you are in the database. If you didn't sign it, then your are not.

Of course you're a Merchant Mariner! A common misconception: Being a Merchant Mariner is NOT a branch of the military. It is not a part of the USCG. It is NOT an official government position. All it is (basically) is a US government issued ID/ drivers license (for boats). Think of it this way. Merchant is 'for profit.' Nothing the government does is for profit. (it may be self serving though) So a Merchant Mariner is a private/ commercial/ income producing position. Nothing more. Unfortunately we must be USCG documented to do this job.

At least you have differentiated yourself from all the wannabe's who keep saying.... I coulda got a license if I wanted to!

Man, one the comments that just grates on me is when someone says, "Oh, you are/were in the Merchant Marines?" or "You are/were a Merchant Marine?" usually followed by, "Where are/were you stationed?"

I guess I am just too sensitive.

[cappy208]

Man, one the comments that just grates on me is when someone says, "Oh, you are/were in the Merchant Marines?" or "You are/were a Merchant Marine?" usually followed by, "Where are/were you stationed?"

I guess I am just too sensitive.

THAT is worth a whole thread, post, and section of a new forum!!!!!

When I go to a party I NEVER tell anyone what I do for a living. I always get back: ' I'm a captain (at the yachtclub, the marina, on my searay, of my destiny) too! ' Yeah, like I give a shit!!!!! ;-)

[Capt.Felix]

THAT is worth a whole thread, post, and section of a new forum!!!!!

When I go to a party I NEVER tell anyone what I do for a living. I always get back: ' I'm a captain (at the yachtclub, the marina, on my searay, of my destiny) too! ' Yeah, like I give a shit!!!!! ;-)

Well, thank you all for your comments. I was not pertaining to myself as i am a Navy vet and currently a reservist. But as i said in my last post Ive always wondered why anyone was considered a merchant mariner after rec licensure from the coasties. I am reg to be called upon in a time of need of which i am proud to do if need be. So again thank you all for your input.

[Capt. Phoenix]

The "marine" part of the term "merchant marine" is what fools a lot of people. When they hear marine they think USMC, forgetting why the USMC is called "marines" in the first place. A merchant marine is anyone engaged in waterborne shipping, or more recently, anyone working on commercial vessels of any kind. You are a merchant on the water...

[BMCSRetired]

I tell them I am a boat captain. When they ask how big my boat is, I tell them 260 feet, for now. They tell me it is not a boat. I tell them if I can drive it, its a boat. That's when I either get the weird look in which case I know it is time to move on or we have a challenging conversation because I am proud of my present and previous jobs, being responsible for human lives. Driving is just the fun part, the other stuff is the challenging part.

I guess I am lucky that way...

[c.captain]

It is simple class:

1. Anybody who works on ships, boats, barges, rafts, is a "MARINER" and by the same token you are also a "SEAMAN" under Admiralty statute otherwise that term belongs to any unlicensed member of the deck department. Being considered a professional mariner by your peers is a sign of respect and accomplishment. Conversely, there is no such thing as a "SAILOR" on any civilian vessel. Sailors are in the Navy.

2. There are only "VESSELS" in the CFRs and the COLREGS. As far as what you call a ship and what I call a ship are up to each of us, but I believe a ship has to be at least of over 3000grt yet I don't call a 250'er a boat or a ship...it's a vessel. If it is 100' and under it's just a boat.

3. If you work on cargo carrying vessels you are a "MERCHANT MARINER" because those ships compose the "MERCHANT MARINE". This term generally applies to vessels of unlimited tonnage but there is no rule for that yet it is common practice. Large OSVs and ATBs are not referred to as merchant vessels or merchant ships even though both carry cargo in once sense or another. The same also holds for the Great Lakes as well, but then again nobody knows what goes on up on the Lakes anyway. Commercial or civilian vessels of all types compose the greater "MARITIME INDUSTRY" but megayachts are not included...sorry Steamer ;-)

4. There is no such this as a "merchant MARINE" as far as describing a person's profession. A Marine is in the USMC.

5. There is legally no such thing as a "CAPTAIN" on any commercial vessel requiring a license. Such a person is a MASTER. Captains are in the military (I always wondered why the US Army has the rank of Captain instead of Lt. Major?) Of course, I call myself c.captain on here so thrown bricks at me!

6. In the US there is no such thing as a "MASTER MARINER" except in the eyes of the arrogant fool who believes he is one. The Brits have something called extra master I believe but they're likely arrogant as well.

7. There is no such thing as a "COMMODORE" who, like the aformentioned master mariners, are usually quite full of their own magnificence. As far as any legal position is concerned, he is just a master.

Class dismissed...don't forget your homework now.


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[MariaW]

IConversely, there is no such thing as a "SAILOR" on any civilian vessel. Sailors are in the Navy

Really? not even on a sailing ship? I wouldn't call someone who sails on a ship without sails a "sailor".

[Capt. Phoenix]

Really? not even on a sailing ship? I wouldn't call someone who sails on a ship without sails a "sailor".

If you want to be that picky you don't "sail on a ship without sails". We aren't discussing literal word usage but proper terms. Someone who works on a square rigger may be a sailor in a literal sense but they are a seaman in a legal sense.

[c.captain]

Really? not even on a sailing ship? I wouldn't call someone who sails on a ship without sails a "sailor".

I once had a girlfriend who would always introduce me to people as being a sailor...it drove me nuts everytime she did but she dumped me anyway so that problem went away.

[Jeffrox]

An interesting read on "sailors" et al... http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos247.htm

[stevefoster]

Is that license on an MMC? You are not in the USCG, you just hold a US Merchant Marine Licese that is issued by the USCG as the Regulatory Body under who's jurisdiction you utilize your license.................Look up United States Coast Guard and Department of Transportation to answer yours and your friends questions.........................

Greetings and happy new years to all,
I have a question that I am sure someone on here could help me with. I hold a U.S.C.G. captains lic. and have for many years now. I have always wondered why I am considered a " Merchant mariner" by the USCG ? Over the years Ive had many discussions with friends and co-workers dealing with this topic. I have heard a few times that as a lic. USCG merchant mariner can be called upon by the Govt in a time of need.
If anyone could once and for all answer, or make sense of the USCG Merchant mariner questions Id be very appreciative.
Thanks,
Capt.Felix

[stevefoster]

You were stationed on the water...................

Man, one the comments that just grates on me is when someone says, "Oh, you are/were in the Merchant Marines?" or "You are/were a Merchant Marine?" usually followed by, "Where are/were you stationed?"

I guess I am just too sensitive.

[cappy208]

I once had a girlfriend who would always introduce me to people as being a sailor...it drove me nuts everytime she did but she dumped me anyway so that problem went away.

Did it???????????

[stevefoster]

I have a question that I am sure someone on here could help me with. I hold a U.S.C.G. captains lic. and have for many years now. I have always wondered why I am considered a " Merchant mariner" by the USCG ? Over the years Ive had many discussions with friends and co-workers dealing with this topic.

Thank you for your service Navy Vet..............What tonnage license do you hold now and do you use it as a reservist?

[stevefoster]

What would you call someone who sails on a ship without sails, Maria?

Really? not even on a sailing ship? I wouldn't call someone who sails on a ship without sails a "sailor".

[silverbk]

I guess someone here should correct the wikipedia article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_mariner

It is simple class:

1. Anybody who works on ships, boats, barges, rafts, is a "MARINER" and by the same token you are also a "SEAMAN" under Admiralty statute otherwise that term belongs to any unlicensed member of the deck department. Being considered a professional mariner by your peers is a sign of respect and accomplishment. Conversely, there is no such thing as a "SAILOR" on any civilian vessel. Sailors are in the Navy.

2. There are only "VESSELS" in the CFRs and the COLREGS. As far as what you call a ship and what I call a ship are up to each of us, but I believe a ship has to be at least of over 3000grt yet I don't call a 250'er a boat or a ship...it's a vessel. If it is 100' and under it's just a boat.

3. If you work on cargo carrying vessels you are a "MERCHANT MARINER" because those ships compose the "MERCHANT MARINE". This term generally applies to vessels of unlimited tonnage but there is no rule for that yet it is common practice. Large OSVs and ATBs are not referred to as merchant vessels or merchant ships even though both carry cargo in once sense or another. The same also holds for the Great Lakes as well, but then again nobody knows what goes on up on the Lakes anyway. Commercial or civilian vessels of all types compose the greater "MARITIME INDUSTRY" but megayachts are not included...sorry Steamer ;-)

4. There is no such this as a "merchant MARINE" as far as describing a person's profession. A Marine is in the USMC.

5. There is legally no such thing as a "CAPTAIN" on any commercial vessel requiring a license. Such a person is a MASTER. Captains are in the military (I always wondered why the US Army has the rank of Captain instead of Lt. Major?) Of course, I call myself c.captain on here so thrown bricks at me!

6. In the US there is no such thing as a "MASTER MARINER" except in the eyes of the arrogant fool who believes he is one. The Brits have something called extra master I believe but they're likely arrogant as well.

7. There is no such thing as a "COMMODORE" who, like the aformentioned master mariners, are usually quite full of their own magnificence. As far as any legal position is concerned, he is just a master.

Class dismissed...don't forget your homework now.


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