About the Merchant Marine

The U.S. Merchant Marine (USMM) is a fleet of privately-owned containerships, tankers, passenger vessels, tugs and other types of ships engaged in domestic and international commerce. They are regulated by the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD).

The Merchant Marine has ties to the Coast Guard, Navy and other armed forces. But, while they might be veterans, crew members are not active members of the military. However, Merchant Marine officers are also commissioned officers in the Naval Reserve or another branch of the military reserve. During wartime or national emergencies, the military might call on the Merchant Marine to transport troops and military goods.

Merchant Marine Jobs

Employment in Merchant Marine jobs is the responsibility of ship owners, but job opportunities are typically through maritime labor unions. Apprenticeships are available, but part-time jobs usually are not.

Below are a few maritime job descriptions for crew members, paraphrased from those provided by MARAD.

• Ordinary Seaman
  Stands watch while in port or at sea and performs routine deck department maintenance tasks, such as cleaning, painting, and preserving the ship.
• Able Bodied Seaman
  Stands watch while in port or at sea and performs routine deck department maintenance tasks, such as cleaning, painting, and preserving the ship. Other responsibilities include underway replenishment, cargo handling, forklift operation and helicopter flight deck operations.
• Utilityman (Food Handler)
  Duties include general hotel service work such as food handling, cleaning and maintenance of staterooms and passageways, assisting the Chief Steward with daily provisions, and manning underway replenishment rigs.
• Engine Utilityman
  Assists licensed engineers and performs general maintenance and repair of the ship's machinery, including cargo handling equipment, elevators and winches.
• Deck Engineer Machinist
  Fabricates replacement parts utilizing various types of machinery.
• Unlicensed Junior Engineer
  Stands engine room watch, assists licensed engineers with control room operations, and maintains the shipboard propulsion equipment and auxiliary machinery.
• 2nd Electrician
  Performs routine maintenance, repair and operation of electrical systems.
• Refrigeration Engineer
  Maintains and repairs all types of on-board refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
• Electronics Technician
  Proficient in the use of test and monitoring equipment, and repairs and maintains electrical and electronic equipment.
• Wiper
  Duties include general engine department maintenance, cleaning, painting, preservation of the ship and assisting unlicensed and licensed engineering department personnel with machinery repairs.

Merchant Marine officers are not only employed in the maritime industry, but also typically commissioned as deck, engineering or radio officers of various ranks in the Merchant Marine Reserve of the U.S. Navy (Merchant Marine Naval Reserve). During wartime or national emergencies, Merchant Marine Reserve Officers may be called to active military duty.

Both crew members and officers receive maritime credentials from the Coast Guard. Merchant Marine Radio Officers must pass the FCC license exam.

Merchant Marine Education

Merchant Marine crew members receive education and training through Coast Guard-approved maritime training institutions. For example, the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training, affiliated with the Seafarers International Union (SIU), offers a free maritime apprenticeship program. Graduates of this program are guaranteed a first job aboard the SIU's contracted vessels. Navy or Coast Guard Veterans who possess shipboard ratings may be eligible for a free vocational training program.

Merchant Marine officers receive training through Coast Guard-approved maritime academies or colleges. For example, graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy each receive a bachelor of science degree, a Merchant Marine license from the Coast Guard and an ensign officer commission in the Merchant Marine Naval Reserve.

Young people may jumpstart their seafaring careers through maritime high schools or associations.