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

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

Service Requirements for Second Assistant Engineer:

1. One year of service as an assistant engineer, while holding a license as third assistant engineer; or
2. One year of service while holding a license as third assistant engineer which includes a minimum of six months of service as third assistant engineer and additional service as a QMED, calculated on a two-for-one basis; or
3. One year of service as chief engineer (limited-oceans) of steam or motor vessels and completing the appropriate examination.

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 Second Assistant is described in the Deck Examination Guide Section 3.1.8.1.  If a candidate has previously taken the Third Assistant Engineer's exam, he or she will not be required to test for the raise-in-grade to Chief Engineer.

(Reference 46 CFR 11.514)
NMC Checklist for Second Assistant Engineer
Downloadable Application