Required Subjects for All Deck Licenses
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1 Master, Oceans/near coastal, any gross tons.
2 Chief mate, oceans/near coastal, any gross tons.
3 Master, oceans/near coastal, 500/1,600 gross tons.
4 Second mate, oceans/near coastal, any gross tons.
5 Third mate, oceans/near coastal, any gross tons.
6 Mate, oceans/near coastal, 500/1,600 gross tons.
7 Master, oceans/near coastal, and mate, NC, 200 gross tons (includes master, NC, 100 gross tons).
8 Operator, uninspected passenger vessels, near coastal.
9 Operator, uninspected passenger vessels, Great Lakes/inland.
10 Apprentice mate, towing vessels, ocean (domestic trade) and near-coastal routes.
11 Apprentice mate (steersman), towing vessels, Great Lakes and inland routes.
12 Steersman, towing vessels, Western Rivers.
13 Master, Great Lakes/inland, or master, inland, any gross tons.
14 Mate, Great Lakes/inland, any gross tons.
15 Master, Great Lakes/inland, 500/1,600 gross tons.
16 Mate, Great Lakes/inland, 500/1,600 gross tons.
17 Master or mate, GL/inland, 200 gross tons (includes master, Great Lakes/inland, 100 gross tons).
18 Master, rivers, any gross tons.
19 Master, rivers, 500/1,600 gross tons.
20 Mate, rivers, 500/1,600 gross tons.
21 Master or mate, rivers, 200 gross tons (includes master, rivers, 100 gross tons).
22 Master, uninspected fishing industry vessels, oceans/near coastal.
23 Mate, uninspected fishing industry vessels, oceans/near coastal.
24 First class pilot.
Numbers in colums refer to codes on the left, Follow colum down to see required subjects.
The numbers within the table refer to the legend at bottom of this page.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
  Navigation and position determination:                                                
      Ocean Track Plotting:                                                
        Middle Latitude Sailing 1 1   1 1                                      
        Mercator Sailing X X   1 1                                      
        Great Circle Sailing 1 1   1                                        
        Parallel Sailing 1 1   1 1                                      
        ETA X X 1 X X                                      
      Piloting:                                                
        Distance Off   X X X X X X X X X X   X X X X X         X X X
        Bearing Problems   X X X X X X X X X X   X X X X X         X X X
        Fix or Running Fix   X X X X X X X X X X   X X X X X         X X X
        Chart Navigation   X X X X X X X X X X 2 X X X X X 2 2 2 2 X X X
        Dead Reckoning   X X X X X X X X X X   X X X X X         X X X
      Celestial Observations:                                                
        Special Cases (hi/lo Alt., Backsight) 1                                              
        Latitude by Polaris 1 1 1 1                                        
        Latitude by Meridian Transit 1                                              
        Lat. by Meridian Transit (Sun Only) X X 1 X X 1 1     1                       1 1  
        Fix or Running Fix (Any Body) X X 1 X                                   1    
        Fix or Running Fix (Sun Only)         X 1 1     1                         1  
        Star Identification 1 1 1 X                                        
        Star Selection 1 X 1 X                                     1  
      Times of Celestial Phenomena:                                                
        Time of Meridian Transit 1                                              
        Time of Meridian Transit (Sun Only) X X 1 X X 1 1     1                       1 1  
        Second Estimate Meridian Transit 1                                              
            Zone Time Sun Rise/Set/Twilight X X 1 1 1 1 1     1                         1 1
            Zone Time Moon Rise/Set X X   1                                        
        Speed by RPM X X   X                 3                      
        Fuel Conservation X X                     3                      
        Electronic Navigation X X X X X X X X X X X   X X X X X         X X X
        Instruments and Accessories X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
        Aids To Navigation X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
        Charts, Navigation Publications, and Notices to Mariners X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
        Naut. Astronomy & Nav. Definitions X X   X X                                      
        Chart Sketch                                               4
  Seamanship:                                                
    Marlinspike Seamanship       X X X X X X X X X   X   X X X X X X X X X
    Purchases, Blocks and Tackle       X X X X     X X X   X   X X X X X X X X X
    Small Boat Handling Under Oars or Sail       X X               X X                    
  Watchkeeping:                                                
    COLREGS X X X X X X X X 5 X 5   5 5 5 5 5         X X 5
    Inland Navigational Rules X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
    Basic Principles, Watchkeeping X X X X X X X     X X X X X X X X X X X X      
    Navigation Safety Regs. (33 CFR 164) X X   X X               X X       X       6 6 6
  Radar Equipment:                                                
    Radar Observer Certificate X X X X X X 1     1     X X       X       X X X
  Compass-Magnetic and Gyro:                                                
    Principles of Gyro Compass X X X X X X             X X X X           X X  
    Principles of Magnetic Compass X X X X X X           X X X X X X X X X X X X X
    Magnetic Compass Adjustment X X                     X X                    
    Gyro Compass Error/Correction X X X X X X 7       X X X X X X 7         X X X
    Magnetic Compass Error/Correction X X X X X X X X X X X   X X X X X         X X X
          Determination of Compass Error:                                                
            Azimuth (Any Body) X X   1                                        
            Azimuth (Sun Only)     1   X 1 1     1     3                 1 1  
            Amplitude (Any Body) X                                              
            Amplitude (Sun Only)   X 1 X X 1 1     1     3                 1 1  
            Deviation Table Construction X X 1 X X               3                      
            Terrestrial Observation   X X X X X X X X X X   X X X X X         X X X
        Gyro Controlled Systems X X X X   X                                    
        Operation & Care of Main Gyro Systems X X X X   X                                    
  Meteorology and Oceanography:                                                
    Characteristics of Weather Systems   X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
    Ocean Current Systems          X X X X                                 X X  
    Weather Charts and Reports   X X X X   X     X                       X    
          Tides and Tidal Currents:                                                
            Extensive Tidal Effects X X X                                          
            Terms and Definitions   X X X X X X X X X X   X X X X X         X X X
            Publications   X X X X X X X X X X   X X X X X         X X X
            Calculations   X X X X X X X X X X   X X X X X         X X X
  Ship Maneuvering and Handling:                                                
    Approaching Pilot Vessel or Station                 X X X     X                                   X
    Shiphandling in Rivers, Estuaries X X X     X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X   X
    Maneuvering in Shallow Water X X X     X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X   X
    Interaction with Bank/Passing Ship X X X     X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X   X
    Berthing and Unberthing X X X     X X X X X     X X X   X X X   X X   X
    Anchoring and Mooring   X X X X X X X X X     X X X X X         X X X
    Dragging, Clearing Fouled Anchors   X X X X X X           X X X X X         X    
    Drydocking, with & without Prior Damage   X X                                          
    Heavy Weather Operations   X X       X X X               X         X X  
   Maneuvering for Launching of Lifeboats and Liferafts in Heavy Weather   X X       X     X     X   X             X X  
    Receiving Survivors From Lfbts/Lfrfts   X X       X     X X                          
    General: Turn Circle, Pivot Point, Advance and  Transfer       X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
    Determine Maneuvering Characteristics of Major  Vessel Types   X   X X                                      
    Wake Reduction   X X       X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X   X
    Ice Operations/Ice Navigation X X X     X       X X X X 3 X 3                
    Towing Operations   X X X X X X     X X X   X   X X X X X X      
  Ship Stability, Construction, and Damage Control:                                                
    Principles of Ship Construction   X X X X   X           X 3 X 3 X X X          
    Trim and Stability X X X X X X X     X X X X 3 X 3 X X X   X X X  
    Damage Trim and Stability X X X     X 7                                  
    Stability, Trim, and Stress Calculation X X X       7                                  
    Vessel Structural Members   X X X X X 7             X X 3 7              
    IMO Ship Stability Recommendations X X                                            
    Damage Control X X X     X   7               7                
    Change in Draft Due to Density X X                                            
  Ship Power Plants:                                                
    Marine Power Plant Operating Principles   X X       7           X   X   7 X X          
    Ships' Auxiliary Machinery   X X                 X     X     X X          
    Marine Engineering Terms   X X       7           X   X   7 X X          
    Small Engine Operations and Maintenance             X X X               X     X        
  Cargo Handling and Stowage:                                                
    Cargo Stowage and Security, Including Cargo Gear   X X X X X 7           X X X X 7 X X X        
    Loading and Discharging Operations   X X X X X             X X X X   X X X        
    International Regulations for Cargoes, Especially  IMDG X X X                                          
    Dangerous/Hazardous Cargo Regulations   X X X X X             X X X X   X X X        
    Tank Vessel Safety   X X X X X             X X X X   X X X        
    Cargo Piping and Pumping Systems   X X X X X             X X X X   X X X        
    Cargo Oil Terms and Definitions   X X X X X             X X X X   X X X        
    Ballasting, Tank Clean., & Gas Free Ops   X X X X X           X X X X   X X X          
    Load on Top Procedures   X X X X X           X X X X   X X X          
    Barge Regulations (Operations)                   X X X                        
  Fire Prevention and Firefighting Appliances:                                                
    Organization of Fire Drills   X X X X X X     X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
    Classes and Chemistry of Fire   X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
    Firefighting Systems   X X X X X X     X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
    Firefighting Equip. and Regulations   X X X X X 7     X X X X X X X 7 X X X 7 X X  
    Firefighting Equip. & Regs. for T-Boats             X                   X       X      
    Basic Firefighting and Prevention   X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
  Emergency Procedures:                                                
    Ship Beaching Precautions   X X                   X   X                  
    Actions Prior To/After Grounding   X X                   X   X     X X          
    Refloating a Grounded Ship   X X                   X   X     X X          
    Collision   X X       X X   X X X X   X   X X X   X      
    Temporary Repairs   X X X     X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
    Passenger/Crew Safety in Emergency   X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X      
    Fire or Explosion   X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
    Abandon Ship Procedures   X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
    Emergency Steering   X X X                 X   X     X X     X X  
    Rescuing Surv. From Ship/Airc. in Dist   X X X X X X     X     X X X X X X X          
    Man Overboard Procedures   X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
    Emergency Towing X X X       X     X                            
  Medical Care:                                                
      Knowledge and use of:                                                
        Int'l. Medical Guide for Ships   X X                                          
        Ship Med. Chest and Med. Aid at Sea   X X                                          
        Medical Sec., Inter. Code of Signals   X X X X                                      
        1st Aid Guide: Accidents with Dangerous Goods   X X                                          
        First Aid   X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
  Maritime Law:                                                
      International Maritime Law:                                                
        Int'l. Convention on Load Lines X X X                                          
        SOLAS X X X       7                                  
        MARPOL 73/78 X X X X X                                      
        International Health Regulations X X X                                          
        Other International Instruments for Ship/Pass. Crew/Cargo Safety X X X                                          
      National Maritime Law:                                                
        Load Lines X X X     X X     X X   3 3 3 3 7              
        Cert. and Documentation of Vessels X X X       X X X X X X X   X   X X X   X X    
        Rules & Regs. for Inspected Vessels X X X X X X 7           X X X X 7 X X X 7      
        Rules & Regs. for Inspected T-Boats             X                   X       X      
        Rules and Regs for Uninsp. Vessels             X X X X X X         X       X X X  
        Pollution Prevention Regulations X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
        Pilotage X X X                                         X
        Licensing & Certification of Seamen X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
        Shipment and Discharge, Manning X   X       X     X     X   X     X X          
        Title 46 U.S. Code X X X                   X   X     X X          
        Captain of the Port Regulations, Vessel Traffic                                                
                 Service Procedures for the Route Desired………………….                                               X
  Shipboard Management and Training:                                                
    Personnel Management X X X                   X   X     X X          
    Shipboard Organization X X X                   X   X     X X          
    Required Crew Training X X X                   X   X     X X          
    Ship Sanitation X X X       X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
    Vessel Alteration/Repair--Hot Work X X X       X           X   X     X X          
    Safety X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
  Ship's Business:                                                
    Charters X X X                                          
    Liens, Salvage X X X                                          
    Insurance X X X                                          
    Entry, Clearance X X X                                          
    Certificates and Documents Required X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  
  Communications:                                                
    Flashing Light X X   X X                                      
    Radiotelephone Communications   X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
    Radiotelegraphy Emerg. Dist. Signals   X   X X                                      
    Signals: Storm/Wreck/Dist./Special   X X X X X X X X X X   X X X X X X X X X X X  
    International Code of Signals   X X X X                                      
  Lifesaving:                                                
    Survival at Sea   X X X X X X     X                       X X  
    Lifesaving Appliance Regulations   X X X X X 7           X X X   7 X X X 7      
    Lifesaving Appliance Regs. for T-Boats             X                   X       X      
    Lifesaving Appliance Operation   X X X X X 7 X X X X   X X X X 7 X X X 7 X X  
    Lifesaving Appliance Ops. for T-Boats             X                   X       X      
  Search and Rescue:                                                
    Search and Rescue Procedures X X X                                          
    Amver X X X                                          
  SAIL/AUXILIARY SAIL VESSELS ADDENDUM (8):                                                
      Any other subject considered necessary to establish                                                
     the applicant's proficiency X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
The numbers within the table refer to the following legend.
1 For ocean routes only.
2 River chart navigation only.
3 Topic covered only on Great Lakes specific module(s) taken for ``Great Lakes and inland'' routes.
4 Including recommended courses, distances, prominent aids to navigation, depths of waters in channels and over hazardous shoals, other important
features of the route, such as character of the bottom. The OCMI may accept chart sketching of only a portion or portions of the route for long or
extended routes.
5 Take COLREGS if license not limited to non-COLREG waters.
6 For licenses over 1600 gross tons.
7 For licenses over 100 gross tons.
8 Sail vessel safety precautions, rules of the road, operations, heavy weather procedures, navigation, maneuvering, and sailing terminology. Applicants
for sail/auxiliary sail endorsements to master, mate or operator of uninspected passenger vessels licenses are also tested in the subjects contained
in this addendum.