Marine/Naval credentials, codes & rules.

Requires: Sea service per 46 CFR 11.513 or graduation from approved academy/ABET program + USCG exam; national endorsement qualifies for STCW OICEW (Reg III/1) endorsement

Renewal: 5-year MMC cycle; refresher/training and sea service per 46 CFR (estimated: 46 CFR 10.227)

Requires: One year as Third Assistant Engineer holding MMC, or USMMA/CG Academy/Naval Academy/maritime academy graduation, or ABET technology degree + 3 months engineroom service, per 46 CFR 11.514

Renewal: 5-year MMC cycle (estimated: 46 CFR 10.227)

Requires: One year as Second Assistant Engineer; STCW: 360 days as OICEW on ships >=750 kW plus A-III/2 competence assessments per NVIC 15-14 (46 CFR 11.327)

Renewal: 5-year MMC cycle (estimated)

Requires: One year as First Assistant Engineer while holding endorsement; exam; 46 CFR 15.820 requires chief engineer aboard inspected mechanically propelled vessels >=200 GRT (seagoing/Great Lakes)

Renewal: 5-year MMC cycle (estimated)

Requires: Lower sea-service thresholds; Chief Engineer-Limited serves unlimited tonnage inland and <1600 GRT oceans/near-coastal/Great Lakes per 46 CFR 11.501(b)

Renewal: 5-year MMC cycle (estimated)

Requires: Sea service per 46 CFR 11.524; DDE-Unlimited may serve any waters; national term not synonymous with STCW DDE usage but can qualify for STCW III/1-III/3 endorsements

Renewal: 5-year MMC cycle (estimated)

Requires: None; five elements: Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, Security Awareness

Renewal: Revalidation every 5 years for PST and FPFF

Requires: ABET degree + 4 years experience + FE exam; discipline-specific PE exam, 85 questions, 9.5-hour appointment, administered one day per year

Renewal: Varies by state (typically biennial continuing education)

Requires: Corporate membership (MRINA) requiring accredited degree plus professional competence report; CEng registration via Engineering Council requires academic qualifications + Professional Review Interview

Renewal: Annual membership and CPD; re-registration not required if maintained

Requires: Degree in naval architecture/marine/mechanical engineering (min 2-yr program) or marine-institution qualification + certificated ship-officer sea experience; professional institution membership (IEng/CEng track) typical at LR

Renewal: Internal authorization kept current via activity monitoring and training

Requires: Degree-level marine engineering/science qualification + professional competence demonstration; Engineering Council route comparable to CEng

Renewal: Annual membership + CPD

Renewal: Republished annually (Steel Vessel Rules lineage back to 1890)

Renewal: One main rule edition annually (July editions); July 2026 edition (92 documents) in force 1 Jan 2027

Renewal: Updated regularly (e.g., July 2025 update added Fire(C, Risk) container-ship notation)

Renewal: Periodic revision (e.g., Part 5: 2008 / Amd 2014 / 2019; EN editions 2018-2019)

Renewal: Individual bulletins (e.g., T&R Bulletin 2-31 fatigue, 2-30 slamming, 4-16 HVAC, 9-1 small-boat inclining)

Renewal: Continuous updates by IACS working groups

Renewal: Made mandatory Jan 2010; amendments ongoing

Renewal: Amended by rulemaking (e.g., Dec 2024 amendments to 15.820 manning)

Renewal: Tacit amendment procedure; consolidated edition updates

Renewal: Annex VI decarbonization amendments (EEXI, CII, IMO GHG strategy) ongoing

Requires: Ships carry approved Ballast Water Management Plan and type-approved treatment systems meeting D-2 performance standard

Renewal: In force globally 8 Sept 2017; phased install schedule linked to IOPP renewal surveys; MEPC.383(81) e-record book amendm

Renewal: Manila amendments mandatory from 1 Jan 2012 with 5-year transition

Requires: Ships >=5000 GT on EEA commercial voyages (and from 2025: offshore/general cargo 400-5000 GT) must file verified monitoring plans and annual emissions reports

Renewal: Annual reporting; scope expanded 1 Jan 2024 to methane and nitrous oxide

Requires: Coverage for discharges incidental to normal operation of non-military, non-recreational vessels >=79 ft

Renewal: Current; the 2013 VGP remains in full force until EPA+USCG finalize VIDA implementing regulations (then deemed repealed)

Requires: Coastwise trade reserved to vessels U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, USCG coastwise-endorsed, 75% U.S.-citizen crew

Renewal: Statutory; Passenger Vessel Services Act (46 U.S.C. 55103) is the passenger-trade parallel

Requires: Vessel surveyed and certified under flag's statutory regime, typically delegated to classification society

Renewal: 5-year survey cycles (annual/periodical/renewal surveys per SOLAS)