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MUST READ New TWIC Policy Change. Look at item #6. Here is the new NMC/USCG TWIC Policy
To start the Mercant Mariner License Application process, please download the needed forms listed below
a) Captains Application (CG-719B)
b) Merchant Mariners Physical Exam (CG-719K):
Instructions for completing the Physical form
c) DOT/USCG Periodic Drug Testing Form (Form CG-719P);
Marine employer or Military Drug Testing Options. A must read!;
Drug test Instruction
d) Small Vessel Sea Service Form (CG-719S)
Sample of General Sea Service Letter
e) Oath Form
f) New "Letters of Recommendation" form (46 cfr 11.205)
g) TWIC Exemption request form
You will need a number of items to complete your application. Start gathering them now before the class.
- Completed application
- any yes's in violations section, provide explanations
- Oath(by notary)
- First Aid and CPR with in one year
- Three character references
- Physical exam with hearing and eye test
- SAMSHA Drug test or enrollment in drug testing program. Testing sites
- Certificate of Completion (within one year)Sea Service forms (total at least 360 days)
Let's look at each item in more detail.
1) Completed application. There are six sections of the form which must be completed, signed and dated.
a. Sec I Personal Data - standardize things. Make sure you keep consistent with your name. If it is Robert on all your documents, do not use Bob on the application. Same with a middle initial. Stay consistent.
b. Sec II Type of Transaction - Assuming this is your first license, you would check license and original. If you are adding any endorsements such as Great Lakes, Assistance Towing, Near Coastal.
Next you need to fill out the "Applying for:" Here you need to write "Operator of uninspected passenger vessel (restricted scope for Western Rivers or limited scope if these apply) for ("Inland, Great Lakes, or Near Coastal" pick the highest one based on sea service) ("and assistance towing endorsement" again if applicable)
Finally in the "State Current...." box describe any current or previous USCG licenses you may have or let expire.
c. Sec III Narcotics, DWI/DUI, and Conviction Record - you need to answer yes or no to each one. Be honest as the information will be verified through various background checks. If there is a "yes" you will need to provide an explanation. See the explanation section below
d. Sec VI Character References- for a license where no commercial experience is required such as operator of uninspected passenger vessels, you need to provide written recommendations of three persons who have knowledge of your suitability for "duty". Make sure you check the box and attach the three reference letters.
e. Sec V Mariner's Consent - you will be asked to consent to a National Drivers Registry check. If you do not consent, you simply do not get a license. Not much more can be said.
f. Sec VI Certification and OathAt the top of the third page is a statement. Under it is a signature block stating that you agree with the above statement. Without this signature, it will be returned. You need to take the oath at the REC or an authorized MSO office. This is a recent law change. You can take the oath at an alternative site only after you get a letter from the REC stating your application is received. They will ask to see your drivers license and your birth certificate.
2) Yes, on application explanations. First you must be honest in answering these questions. Record checks will indicate if you lied or "forgot" something like getting busted for dope when you were in school back in the sixties. Second if you do answer yes please provide an explanation. Here is a link to a portion of the rules that explains what is considered by the OCMI in determining if a license can be issued.
SAMSHA Drug test or enrollment in drug testing program. My suggestion, to avoid all kind of problems, is join a national drug consortium like National Association of Charterboat Operators. Call Susan at 251.981.5136.
First the test must be done by a SAMSHA approved lab. To find one check out the links in the right column. You will need the original completed form. Some times the lab will give you a copy. No good. You must have the original form with the various signatures and hopefully a negative result. Drug test instructions; USCG Drug Information Help Page
Certificate of Completion (within one year). We will issue you a certificate at the end of the class provided you pass the exam(s). This signed document is good for one year from the date of issuance. If you do not use it, within the year, you need to take the class over again. We cannot re-issue it.
Sea Service forms - You can write a book on completing this form. First, you need to know just how much time you need on the water for your license. For an OUPV it is 360 days since age 15. For a limited OUPV it is a minimum of 90 days of the geographic specific waters.
You complete a form(s) for each boat. You can use more than one form per boat if you have more than 5 years to record. If you own the boat, you need to show proof of ownership. If you sold it and did not keep any papers on the boat, you may need to go to the agency who registers boats and request a printout of your registration information. If you worked on someone elses boat, they simply need to sign the form certifying you did complete the days claimed.
The confusing part of the form relates to Sec I - Name of Bodies of water..." If you are applying for inland waters, simply indicate the bodies of water you were on with that boat.
If you are after a limited scope license you must show at least 90 days in total on each body of water you are requesting on the application. The total of 90 days may be reached with a number of different boats. The key is the total on all forms must equal 90 days if you are to get that lake/river on your license. My suggestion is to list the body of water in Sec I then add the number of days claimed on that form in brackets i.e. Lake Winnebago (73 days).
Finally, in Sec II you need to total the days claimed on that form in the boxes at the bottom of that section. In particular, if you are going for a Great Lakes endorsement, make sure you claim the days underway on the Great Lakes in the top box. For a Near Coastal Endorsement you need to claim the days in the third box "... seaward of the boundary line..." Make sure your numbers on the form are correctly added or you may not get the needed days.
Finally, you must have documentation that you owned the vessel. Without this, the days will not be counted. There is no exception.
When your application package is complete, make sure you make a copy of EVERYTHING!!. The next step is to send it by UPS, registered mail, Fedex, etc. so there is the ability to track the package.
Best of Luck
Capt Gary
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