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Updated October 2008
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With the increase in opportunities for members of American Maritime Officers in the liquefied natural gas shipping trades, the following information is provided to assist AMO members interested in obtaining employment in the LNG sector. The guidance outlined is based upon regulatory requirements and industry standards. Training and processes presented are in the general order in which they should be obtained. It is recommended, in order to reduce associated fees, that required U.S. Coast Guard endorsements be submitted to the Coast Guard as one package. Information pertaining to company-specific requirements beyond those listed will be provided when known. Members interested in obtaining LNG employment must first complete the basic and additional requirements. Company-specific and advanced requirements should be obtained as the opportunities become available. This document should be used together with the FLOW (Future LNG Officer Waypoints) diagram to interpret the requirements and time lines of opportunities available in the LNG sector. The FLOW diagram is available on the American Maritime Officers Web site at www.amo-union.org.
Basic Requirements
- Tankship Dangerous Liquids (DL) training (classroom or simulator)
- Tankship Liquefied Gas (LG) Course (60-hour)
- GMDSS FCC license (deck only)
- Current STCW 95 certificate
Additional Requirements
- Medical Care Provider (engine — 24-hour)
- Medical Person in Charge (deck — 40-hour)
- Fast Rescue Boat (company/vessel specific — deck and engine)
- Vessel Security Officer (deck)
- Note: As courses are completed, members should have the following endorsements placed on their STCW/MMD by the Coast Guard.
- FRB
- Medical
- VSO
- Tankerman DL and LG Assistant (obtain PIC/engineer endorsements as you satisfy the CFR requirements for sea time and loads/discharges).
Company-specific and advanced requirements
- MPRI LNG Simulator Course (40-hour)
- High Voltage Safety (engine)
- ECDIS (deck)
- Advanced Shiphandling for Masters (deck)
- Company required/sponsored training (e.g. engine-specific training, air control, integrated automation systems) provided by the contracted company upon hire.
Selection process
- Participate/input member data into CHART System at www.amodispatching.com. See separate CHART Overview and instructions online at www.amo-union.org.
- STCW regulatory and operational knowledge assessment (deck and engine), conducted by specific companies prior to employment offer (requirements vary)
- Personality index survey — company-based profile tool, conducted by specific companies prior to employment offer (requirements vary)
- Technical interview by company senior management personnel — may require completion of specific employment application or paperwork (requirements vary)
Company commitment following the selection process
- Physical exam
- Drug test (tests per company/charterer)
- WHO shot card (shots required by company)
- U.S. Coast Guard License and STCW documentation for flag state equivalency application (to be processed by company). Some of our international contracted companies have multiple registries. AMO will advise the member of the registry of vessel assigned and provide applications. Officers joining a vessel will be able to sign on with their national (U.S. Coast Guard) license, MMD and STCW certificate along with copies of their flag state equivalency applications for their Certificate of Competency (license), Seaman’s Identification and Record Book and Special Qualifications (SQC’s – STCW endorsements) which will be valid and acceptable for a 90-day grace period.
- Seaman’s Identification and Record Book. Some of our international contracted companies have vessels involved in certain trades and will require the “Seaman’s Book” prior to joining the vessel. In this situation, AMO will assist the officer in attaining their “Seaman’s Book” upon receipt of an employment offer (in the future, when the U.S. Coast Guard adopts and issues the “passport-style” Merchant Mariner Credential, the new combined U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential may satisfy this requirement; however, that information is not yet available).
- To apply for any flag state documents and certificates, an employment letter offer will be required along with the application. The shipping company will reimburse the applicant for any out-of-pocket expenses. Updated information will be provided to facilitate this process upon receipt of an officer’s employment offer.
- Passport (must be valid one year prior to the date of expiry)
- Company familiarization and orientation (requirements vary)
- International officer induction/observation review (requirements vary)
- LNG firefighting (as required by company or charterer)
Employment with LNG owner/operator may be one of the following:
- Sea assignment within fleet — may be initially an LNG or non-LNG assignment and/or below desired permanent rating
- Shipyard assignment
- Observation trip (see guidance below)
Observation trip guidance for the following officer profiles — IAW 46 CFR part 13 in order to obtain U.S. Coast Guard Tankerman PIC LG or Tankerman Engineer LG endorsement
- Already holding a valid U.S. Coast Guard Tankerman PIC LG — no additional sea service or loads and discharges required. However, the company may still require observation trips.
- Already holding a valid Tankerman PIC DL — 45 days onboard LG ship to observe three loads and three discharges per 46 CFR 13.203(c)
- Already holding a valid Tankerman Engineer LG — no additional sea service or loads and discharges required. However, the company may still require observation trips per 46 CFR 13.503
- No Tanker Experience - 90 days onboard ship (deck & engine) and observe five loads and five discharges (deck/PIC) per 46CFR 13.203(a),(b)
Note: Upon acceptance of employment, the member will sign an employment contract directly with the company based upon the signed MOU with AMO. The agreement signed ensures the member is party to the current AMO Plans and benefits. The employment contract is the international equivalent of our commonly-used shipping articles. Companies may require a probationary period prior to permanent status.
Members interested in the LNG sector and the AMO Tankerman Observation Program (LG and/or DL) MUST participate in the CHART system through the AMO Dispatching Web site, www.amodispatching.com. This system will be the primary means to identify members interested and qualified (in line with FLOW guidance) for these programs. Eligible candidates for this program must be approved by the AMO Observation Advisory Board.
Specific questions may be directed to Director of Member Training and Officer Development Jerry Pannell at (800) 445-4522 ext. 7507 or by .
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Updated: December 22, 2011 |
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