Why Applying Early for Limited Engineer Licenses Matters — Even If You Don’t Plan to Sail on Small Vessels For State and Federal Maritime Academy Graduates

Why Does Getting your DDE, and Limited Chief Matter? 

At MM-SEAS.com, we help mariners navigate the world of U.S. Merchant Mariner credentialing. One common issue we see with recent academy graduates is missing the chance to apply for limited engineer licenses or endorsements at the first moment they qualify—early in their careers.

While this seems like a negligible oversight, it can significantly slow your future license progression.. Many graduates find out too late that they must accrue more sea time while “holding” a certain endorsement they didn’t have at graduation in order to move up in their limited license progression. This delay often means that valuable seatime cannot be used toward future upgrades because the mariner wasn’t “holding” the necessary credential at the time.

Some limited licenses/endorsements provide job opportunities as a Chief Engineer on smaller vessels not available under your “unlimited” 3rd Assistant, 2nd Assistant, or 1st Assistant Engineer endorsement. If your MMC says “Assistant Engineer,” you cannot work as a Limited Chief or a Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) if those positions are required by the vessel's Certificate of Inspection (COI). However, you may be able to apply for credentials as DDE, then Limited Chief, early in your post-academy career. 

You can accrue sea time on your unlimited licenses aboard unlimited ships while also “holding” a limited license. It's often advantageous to apply for limited licenses as soon as you're qualified so that you will “hold” both. This puts your “while holding” date as soon as possible for future limited endorsements.

What's The Next Step After Graduation? What Is the First Limited License I can Apply For?

• First Step: Apply for DDE – 4000 HP as soon as you have 60 post-graduation engine room days.
  No Regional Exam Center visit or testing required.
• Second Step: Apply for DDE – Any HP after 180 post-graduation days as an officer, with a letter of recommendation from an employer.
  (Make sure you ask your supervisor for this letter! No testing or exam center visit required if you include it.)
• Follow up with other limited credentials as soon as you're qualified. You can often apply for these at the same time you upgrade your unlimited license to 2nd or 1st Assistant Engineer.
Below is an example of a STCW endorsement that will be easier for you obtain if you hold a DDE early in your career. (There are many other National and STCW endorsements like this)

‍

Need Help?

MM-SEAS can walk you through every step—from checklists to letters to submission. Let’s  make sure your sea time counts. 👉 Visit MM-SEAS.com

‍