
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.

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

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.

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.

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 WeekOur 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.

05.20.2013 - 05.24.2013
Radar Observer
05.27.2013
HOLIDAY - SCHOOL CLOSED
05.28.2013 - 05.31.2013
Engineering Prep Course: Week 1 of 4
06.03.2013 - 06.07.2013
Tankerman PIC
06.03.2013 - 06.07.2013
Engineering Prep Course: Week 2 of 4
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.
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
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.






