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Reminder: New towing licenses (4/22)

For boatmen seeking to qualify for a license as a mate (pilot) on towing vessels, May 21 is the deadline for completing service or training requirements. After that date, new requirements take effect. The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center (NMC) in March 2002 issued Policy Letter 07-02, which provided information for license applicants who began serving or training aboard towing vessels before May 21, 2001 and for those who would complete all requirements for license issuance before May 21, 2003. The latter date subsequently was extended to May 21, 2004. According to the policy letter, “A mariner may obtain a license as a mate (pilot) of towing vessels … provided he or she holds documentary evidence demonstrating relevant service or training before 21 May 2001. The applicant must also fully qualify for the license, including completion of all testing requirements, before 21 May 2003. (Editor’s note: Again, the latter deadline was bumped back to May 21, 2004.) To be eligible for the license, a mariner must either: a. Provide proof of at least 18 months service on deck, including at least 12 months on towing vessels, and at least three months of training or duty in the wheelhouse of towing vessels. The sea service must include at least three months of service in each geographic area for which licensure is requested; or b. Provide proof of at least six months of service on towing vessels while holding a merchant mariner’s document endorsed as able seaman unlimited, able seaman limited, or able seaman special. The service must include three months service in the wheelhouse in each particular geographic area for which licensure is requested. In addition, the applicant must provide proof of either two months of training or duty in the wheelhouse or one month of training or duty in the wheelhouse along with completion of an approved course that substitutes for such service.” The policy letter further points out that mariners who provide evidence of the above service “may qualify for a license as mate (pilot) of towing vessels, and may be issued an endorsement as master of towing vessels for a limited local area within the scope of the inland route (inland waters or Western rivers) within the authority of the license. After completion of an additional 18 months of service operating towing vessels, the mate (pilot) of towing vessels license may be upgraded to master of towing vessels. Those mariners with limited service, as determined by the cognizant Officer in Charge Marine Inspection, will receive licenses as mate (pilot) of towing vessels (limited). After an additional 12 months of service, operating towing vessels, the licenses will be upgraded to master of towing vessels (limited).” The old license for operator, uninspected towing vessels (OUTV) is replaced by the new license, for master of towing vessels. Similarly, the old 2nd class OUTV license is replaced by the license for mate (pilot) of towing vessels. For more information on the new towing licenses, contact your nearest U.S. Coast Guard regional exam center, preferably before May 21; or visit the Coast Guard’s licensing and documentation web site here