An ordinary Seafarer (OS) is the lowest rating on a ship. This is an unlicensed position, and it requires no maritime experience. Ordinary seamen handle a variety of basic tasks, working towards becoming an Able Seafarer.
The first step you need to take is getting a valid U.S. Merchant Marine Credential (MMC).
You need to take care of these 6 easy steps to get your entry level MMC:
- You must be a US Citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence
- Hold or have applied for a TWIC
- Be at least 16 years old (with parental/guardian consent if under 18)
- Pass a drug test within 6 months (CG-719P)
- Must hold or be approved for Medical Certificate (CG-719K or CG-719KE)
- Pay Mariner's Fees (pay.gov)
Once you've completed those items, you'll complete and submit a CG-719B form. This is the MMC application form.
Note: Getting your MMC is not a guarantee of finding work. This is a certification that allows you to work in the professional maritime industry.
Ordinary Seafarer duties and responsibilities
Ordinary seamen are doing most of the grunt work around the ship. It's not glorious, but it's the path forward to becoming a licensed Able Seafarer in the future. OS responsibilities include general maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing the ship, painting, loading and unloading cargo, and more.
As you gain more experience, you can expect more responsibilities.
How many Sea Days are needed?
There are no sea service requirements for entry level endorsements. Employers will typically want you to complete some basic maritime training before you start working.
What endorsements are included in an Entry Level Rating?
Ordinary Seafarer, Wiper, and Steward’s Department (FH).
We hope this made your life a little easier and if you have other questions the MM-SEAS team is always here to help!
MM-SEAS is free to use on your own and if you need some more personalized help you can upgrade to MM-SEAS Expert Access inside of the site.
No matter what, when you are ready to submit your application you can do it yourself, or you can hand the whole thing to us. An MM-SEAS Navita Navigator walks you through submitting in Navita, the Coast Guard's new submission portal, on a short video call. No computer, or not up for a video call? Our team gets your application submitted to the Coast Guard for you anyway. A Stress-Free MMC is $399. Two MM-SEAS licensing experts check every page, we pay your Coast Guard fees at submission and charge your card so you never touch pay.gov, and we stay on it with the National Maritime Center until your credential is issued.
MM-SEAS Expert Access is $99 a year. It is your personal guidance counselor for USCG licensing: what training you need next, which sea time counts, and how to reach the credential you want, by phone, email, chat or a 1 on 1 video call. Expert Access members also get $50 off a Stress-Free MMC.
Need to renew, upgrade or get your first USCG license? We're here to help.
About the author
Nate Gilman is President and Co-Founder of MM-SEAS. He hawsepiped from the deck to a 3rd Mate Unlimited license with full STCW compliance over more than 15 years at sea, and is a veteran of the NOAA Commissioned Corps. He works directly with the National Maritime Center, USCG-approved training schools, and vessel operators on credentialing policy, and writes on sea service documentation, evaluation standards, and how mariners move up the license ladder.
