How do I become a Merchant Mariner?

How do I become a Merchant Mariner?

• So I am currently an Electrician wanting to become a Merchant Mariner. Where do I start? Will my Electrician License come in handy when getting a job? What kinds of Liscences will I need? What kinds of Specialties can I train for? (If at all possible I would like to be something like an Electrician on a ship).

• Answer:

  I definitely second the uscg link as to what documentation you will need to qualify as a US merchant marine (the qualifications will vary from country to country. My husband is an chief engineer, and he tells me that having training as an electrician is a gigantic plus. Depending on what you want to do as a merchant marine (work deck or engine), there are several educational routes you can take, most commonly going through one of the many state maritime schools, or take the technical route (starting out unlicensed) through schools like Paul Hall. You might also consider not actually becoming a merchant mariner, per se, but still working on board some ships as an electrician. Many shipping companies employ electricians that are sent to specific ships to repair components. You can also look into dockside work as well. But I would start with the uscg site to get an idea as to what the bare minimum requirements are.