The oldest privately-owned maritime training school in the United States, Crawford Nautical School has been training mariners from all areas of sea-going life -- deep sea, coastal and inland waters; Masters, Mates, Pilots and Engineers for over 90 years.
The National Maritime Center
Requirements, applications, examination information, policy statements as well as other resources are found at the Coast Guard's National Maritime Center, the portal for merchant mariner credentialing in the United States.
Credential Application Forms
Checklists for USCG Credential Requirements
On the Quarter
According to Dorothy Parker, "the cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." Our father is in his 90th year of incessant inquiry. "Don't you think someone should look into this," he asks constantly. We've invited him to do just that here.
We've Moved
For the last fifteen of our nearly 90 years, Crawford Nautical School has been located at 353 Alaskan Way on the Seattle waterfront. Effective January 2012, the school is being relocated as a major reconstruction of the waterfront takes place. Our new location is the Marine Business Center on the Ship Canal in Ballard at 801 NW 42nd Street.
Question of the Week
In an industry where it is possible to dance on ceilings and lean against floors, there are bound to be questions. Every week we will post some here -- along with our best answers.
CNS
National Maritime Center
On the Quarter
We've Moved- Question of the Week
Captain William P. Crawford
1922 - 2013
Our father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great uncle, brother, friend, husband and Pole Star died March 20, 2013. He was teaching a class of gentle men and women who, as is typical of seamen, took kind care of him until help arrived. We will follow his wake for the rest of our lives.
Upcoming Classes
06.17.2013 - 06.21.2013
B Week: Navigation
06.17.2013 - 06.21.2013
Engineering Prep Course: Week 4 of 4
06.17.2013 - 06.21.2013
Celestial Navigation: Week 1 of 2.5
06.24.2013 - 06.28.2013
Celestial Navigation: Week 2 of 2.5
06.24.2013 - 06.28.2013
C Week: Deck General/Deck Safety
Tankerman Class
Dangerous Liquid Cargo Course
Crawford Nautical School is now offering a Dangerous Liquid Cargo (Tankerman Familiarization) Course. The class meets USCG and STCW requirements for Tankerman P-I-C, Tankerman Barge, Tankerman Assistant and Tankerman Engineer. The next scheduled class is June 3 - 7, 2013. For additional information, contact the School.
Search
Collision, Allision, Grounding
With the advent of "Google Alerts" and news media hypervigilant for misfortune, the list of marine casualties seems to have grown longer in the past few years. 
This is probably because in the past, maritime incidents were only newsworthy if they involved passenger deaths and/or oil spills. In fact, accidents do happen more than we think, as this log will attest.
Engineering Classes
Our next Engineering License and QMED Upgrading Class runs from May 28 through June 21, 2013. The class will cover all licenses and endorsements in the engine department. For more information, please call 1-800-284-4335 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Regulation Updates
September 2012
The USCG Deck and Examination Question banks, removed from public viewing several years ago, have once again been made available in pdf.
Deck Examination Question Bank
Engine Examination Question Bank
December 2011
The USCG has issued Policy Letter (No. 11-15) describing policy and forthcoming regulations allowing certain mariners without a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) to acquire and renew a Merchant Mariner Credential. A more detailed description of the changes and how they affect individual mariners is available on the National Maritime Site.
