Apprentice Mate Steersman Upgrade Inland/Near Coastal $395.00

QUALMI-33: Apprentice Mate (Steersman) or Master/Mate of Towing Vessels Upgrade Inland/Near Coastal

COURSE LENGTH: 16 HOURS (2 DAYS)

Course Description: (Note: This course is approved for Inland/Near Coastal routes only.)

This course provides training to mariners seeking a license as Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Towing Vessels. Any student successfully completing the course will satisfy the examination requirements of 46 CFR 11.205(f) for original issuance or 46 CFR 10.227(d)(8)(i)(C) for renewal of a license as Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Towing Vessels or Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels, Inland or Near Coastal; provided that they either:

1. Hold a license as Master Not More Than 150 or 200 Gross Tons; –OR–
2. Hold a license as Master 25, 50, or 100 Gross Tons and have completed our 36-Hour Upgrade Master of Vessels Not More Than 100 Gross Tons to Master Not More Than 200 Gross Tons course WITHIN ONE YEAR of completion of the Apprentice Mate course; –OR–
3. Have completed our 56-Hour Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) and our 24-Hour Upgrade OUPV to Master 100 Gross Tons and our 36-Hour Upgrade Master of Vessels Not More Than 100 Gross Tons to Master Not More Than 200 Gross Tons course WITHIN ONE YEAR of completion of the Apprentice Mate course.

NOTE: This is not a stand alone course unless a mariner already holds a Master/Mate not more than 150 or 200 GRT License. If a mariner does not hold a license and wants to “run” a towing vessel, the entire USCG approved Apprentice Mate (Steersman) curriculum, consisting of QMTL’s 80-Hour Master, not more than 100 GRT, 36-Hour Upgrade Master 100 GRT to Master not more than 200 GRT and the 16-Hour Apprentice Mate (Steersman) course. This was done to allow the mariner to obtain a more versatile license that will allow them to operate inspected vessels as well as uninspected towing vessels within the limits of their license while still meeting all of the training requirements for issuance of an Apprentice Mate (Steersman) License. Each student will receive a personal copy of the Towing Officer’s Assessment Record (TOAR) for completion on board towing vessels. Completion of the TOAR and appropriate sea service are required for advancement to Mate and Master of Towing Vessels. No further examination is required.

NEW RULE – Effective October 14, 2008.  A licensed Master of vessels up to 200GRT, may obtain the Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels License if they are able to meet the following requirements: –    Proof of 36 months of sea service as Master under the authority of the license. –    A minimum of 30 day of training & observation on route(s) along with a successfully completed TOAR. –    Complete an approved Apprentice Mate (Steersman) course or take and pass the appropriate apprentice mate (steersman) exams at the REC.

The following topics are covered in the Apprentice Mate (Steersman) Inland/Near Coastal course:

•  Capabilities and Limitations of Towing Vessels
•  Towing Terminology, Gear and Fittings
• Towing Vessel Operations – General
• Towing Vessel Operations – Towing
•  Ice Navigation
•  Uninspected Towing Vessel Regulations
•  Regulations Pertaining to Barges

Examination: One written examination consisting of 20 multiple choice questions is administered at the end of the course that requires a minimum passing score of 70%.