Part 8 - The United States Merchant Marine

Merchant Seamen, Merchant Mariners and The Merchant Marine Academy

Merchant seamen are civilians classified as members of the U.S.  Merchant Marine who are employed on board commercially operated vessels.  These seamen may be hired directly by the company operating the vessel or through a marine labor union.  Merchant seamen who are unlicensed are required to have valid a Merchant Mariner’s Document (MMD) or seamen’s papers, formerly known as a Z-card.  A seaman may have an MMD with or without a qualified rating. 

A seaman possessing an MMD without qualified ratings may work on a vessel in an entry-level position.  Such positions include ordinary seamen in the deck department and members of the Stewards department.  This level of documentation may be obtained without a written or verbal exam, physical examination or prior marine experience.  All applicants for MMD are required to pass a drug test prior to issuance of documents and randomly thereafter. 

An MMD with a qualified rating is classified by department.  These endorsements include AB – Able Seaman, LB – Lifeboatman, QMED – Qualified Member of the Engineering Department, Tankerman, Tankerman Engineer, Tankerman Assistant, Tankerman-PIC or Takerman-PIC Barge.  To receive a qualified rating, a seaman must present documentation of prior sea time, meet certain physical requirements and pass a written, verbal and/or demonstrative examination.  An MMD or merchant mariner’s license may be obtained through one of seventeen Regional Exam Centers throughout the United States.

Historically, the Merchant Marine and thus Merchant seamen served a role auxiliary to the U.S. Navy.  They provided necessary support for naval action and naval vessels during wartime and performed general work during peacetime. 

The Merchant Marine Act of 1936, was enacted by the 74th Congress of the United States on June 29,1936 to strengthen U.S.  maritime commerce and national defense.  The Act established the United States Maritime Commission to regulate qualifications and working conditions for U.S.  Seamen.  The United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps was created in 1938, which was the predecessor of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.  The Academy was dedicated on September 30, 1943.  Vessels operating under the American flag comprise the U.S.  Merchant marine. 

To become licensed seamen must complete the required sections of the Application form for an original license.  Three character references must be included.  The application, once received by the USCG, is valid for one year.  A Physical Exam Form must be completed in full.  An incomplete form will delay your application.  Failure to meet vision, hearing or general physical condition requirements does not automatically disqualify an applicant.  All applicants are subject to drug testing and must be certified "drug free" (marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP, and amphetamines) by having passed a DOT drug test or submitting a letter that the applicant is currently enrolled in a USCG random drug testing program.  Applicants must provide documentation of their operating vessels on the Sea Service Form.  One day of service consists of a minimum of four hours underway, not dockside.  An applicant may only claim one day in a 24-hour period.  If sea time is documented on a mariner’s own vessel, he must provide state registration, the documentation certificate, and bill of sale or insurance papers along with his Sea Service Form.  Service on vessels not owned by the mariner must be supported by a Sea Service Form completed by the vessel owner.  Proof of Age and Citizenship Must be verified by one of the following: Birth certificate (original only), Passport (original only), Certificate of Naturalization (original only).  Applicants must also provide proper documentation for name change, proof of Social Security Number and CPR/First Aid Card(s).  A certificate from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association courses will suffice for the CPR requirement, provided the certification is less than two years old.  A First Aid certificate of less than one year old is required. 

Licensed officers must either graduate from the Merchant Marine Academy or work their way up through the ranks in service to private vessels, passing exams at each level. 

Each year, the Academy selects some 275 students for entry into the plebe class.  Certain general eligibility requirements for admission to the Academy do exist.  Candidates must be of good moral character.  They must be at least 17 years of age and must not have passed their 25th birthday before July 1 in the year of entrance.  They must be citizens of the United States either by birth or naturalization, except for a limited number of international midshipmen specially authorized by Congress.  Candidates must also meet the physical, security and character requirements necessary for appointment as U.S.  Naval Reserve, Merchant Marine Reserve midshipmen.  Candidates must obtain a Congressional nomination to the Academy; submit a completed application; and qualify scholastically. 

Each new plebe must be recommended by a member of the U.S.  Congress (House of Representatives or Senate).  Each Representative and Senator may nominate 10 candidates to the Academy each year.  The President and Vice President are not nominating authorities for the Academy.  In addition, the U.S.  Representative for Guam, the Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and American Samoa; and the governors of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Marshall Islands, may nominate 10 candidates annually.  The applicant must be a resident of the same state or territory as the nominating authority.  Students should apply to the Academy at the same time that their nomination request is being evaluated. 

Merchant mariners serve a vital role in both times of war and peace.  A primary function of the U.S. Merchant Marine was to aid in national defense.  During war time, merchant mariners lend support by delivering both troops and supplies to the U.S. military.  Merchant seamen provide valiant service under hazardous conditions.  In addition to the perils of the sea that all mariners face, this classification of seamen is forced to face the dangers associated with the defense and protection of a country at war.  These brave individuals serve our country in a capacity equivalent to members of our military and they deserve the same level of respect that we pay to our servicemen.  Their function is crucial to the success of U.S. naval operations.