First Assistant Engineer of Steam,Motor and/or Gas-Turbine Vessels:  Domestic

The First Assistant Engineer of Steam, Motor and/or Gas-Turbine vessels credential allows its holder to act as First Assistant, Second Assistant, Third Assistant on a vessel of any horsepower within the propulsion limitation on the license.

Service Requirements for First Assistant Engineer:

The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as first assistant engineer of steam and/or motor vessels is one year of service as an assistant engineer, while holding a license as second assistant engineer.

For all original and raise of grade of engineer endorsements, at least one-third of the minimum service requirements must have been obtained on the particular mode of propulsion for which applied.

To add a propulsion mode (steam or motor) to an endorsement, the following alternative methods are available to the mariner holding a license or MMC officer endorsement in that grade:

1. Four months of service as an observer on vessels of the new propulsion mode;
2. Four months of service as an engineer officer at the operational level on vessels of the new propulsion mode;
3. Six months of service as oiler, watertender or junior engineer on vessels of the new propulsion mode; or
4. Completion of a Coast Guard-approved training course for this endorsement.

This MMC endorsement may be endorsed as limited to serve on vessels without auxiliary boilers, waste-heat boilers or distilling plants.  An applicant may qualify for removal of any of these limitations by completing Coast Guard-approved or -accepted training.

Examination and Assessments:

The examination for the First Assistant is described in the Deck Examination Guide Section 3.1.8.2.  

(Reference 46 CFR 11.512)
NMC Checklist for First Assistant Engineer
Downloadable Application