Marine Deck Technology - What You'll Learn

While enrolled in the Seattle Maritime Academy at Seattle Central College, you will gain skills in navigation, marine math, vessel handling and seamanship. As a graduate, you will be well-prepared for a job as an able seaman or an apprentice mate, and you will: 

  • Satisfy both the written and practical examination requirements for the Able Seaman (AB).
  • Receive a Lifeboatman endorsement at graduation.
  • Qualify for an STCW “Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch” endorsement.

In addition, you will receive credit for a license as Master of Inland Steam or Motor Vessels of Not More Than 100 Gross Tons OR 240 days sea service credit towards a license as a Mate Coastal Steam or Motor Not more than 200 Gross Register Tons.

You will also qualify for (receive 180 days sea service credit towards) a license as Apprentice Mate of Near Coastal Uninspected Towing Vessels with an additional 12 months of service on board a towing vessel.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the necessary skills (navigation, vessel operation and safety, Rules of the Road) to receive credit for a license as Master of Inland Steam or Motor Vessels of Not More Than 100 Gross Tons OR 240 days sea service credit towards a license as a Master Near Coastal Steam or Motor Vessels of Not More Than 200 Gross Register Tons.
  2. Satisfy both the written and practical examination requirements of 46 CFR 12.10-3(a)(6) and 46 CFR 12.10.5 for both the Able Seaman and the Lifeboatman endorsements. Students will receive the Lifeboatman endorsement at graduation.
  3. Satisfy the training requirements of 46 CFR 12.05-3(c) and Table A-II/4 of the STCW Code (Standards Training Certification Watchstanding) as amended for “Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch” endorsement
  4. Satisfy the written and practical (knot-tying) examination requirement of 46 CFR 12.05-9 for any Able Seaman endorsement.
  5. Qualify (receive 180 days sea service credit towards) for a license as Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Near Coastal Uninspected Towing Vessels with an additional 12 months of service on board a towing vessel.
  6. Satisfy the training requirements of Section A-VI/2 and Table A-VI2-1 of the STWC Code, as amended provided they have also satisfied the requires of *Table A-VI/1-1 for Personal Survival Technique and *Table A-VI/1-3 for Elementary First Aid”.

In order to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard for a Able Seaman’s (AB) upgrade, students will need to complete additional requirements outside of the certificate program. Students should arrange for, pay for and complete the following maritime courses at a separate training facility, which is not associated with the Seattle Maritime Academy:

  1. Basic Safety Training: A five-day course including personal survival technique, elementary first aid, personal safety, social responsibility and basic marine firefighting. (Section A-VI/2 and Table A-VI2-1 of the STWC Code)
  2. Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties (VPDSD): A one-day course. (46 CFR 12.625(a)(1) and STCW Table A-VI/6-2)

Learn more about the course planning for the Marine Deck Technology program.