OICEW Information
Prospective 3AE unlimited (motor)/OICEW candidate
AMO and STAR Center have teamed up to offer a pathway for traditional hawsepipe mariners to obtain their USCG 3AE unlimited motor license, as well as the additional courses required for STCW Officer-In-Charge of an Engineering Watch (OICEW-III/1) endorsement required for employment on vessels to which STCW applies.
STAR Center has broken this process down into 2 steps:
- Apply to the USCG to test for and pass the USCG 3ae unlimited (motor) license examination and pass your 3ae license endorsement. (see details below)
- Apply and complete the STAR Center 17-week STCW OICEW (III/1) program which includes all courses IAW 46 CFR 11.329 required for endorsement as 3AE/OICEW for employment on vessels to which STCW applies. (see details below)
Step 1: Apply and obtain USCG 3AE license endorsement. The first step is to submit your applications to the USCG and pass your 3AE unlimited motor license (domestic) which STAR Center requires as a prerequisite to move forward. In order to be approved to take the USCG 3AE unlimited motor examination the following is required:
- Obtain the required sea service-1080 days in the engine room with 720 days as QMED or equivalent
- Complete USCG approved Basic/Advanced Firefighting course
- Complete First Aid and CPR
- Submit the USCG 719-B application to be approved to test for 3AE unlimited motor (national) endorsement.
Note: Click here for the USCG checklist for national 3AE unlimited which outlines all the requirements.
STAR Center regularly offers the required USCG approved Basic/Adv FF course and the Elementary First Aid/CPR courses. With these courses and your required sea service, you can submit your USCG application and be approved to sit for your 3AE unlimited. STAR Center offers self-study USCG examination preparation assistance.
Step 2: Apply and complete the STAR Center 17-week STCW OICEW (III/1) program. Our OICEW program is available on a commercial basis with certain limited opportunities for sponsorship to those who have met and obtained the perquisite 3AE unlimited motor license endorsement and who will commit and be employed to sail on AMO contracted company vessels.
Those students who wish to enroll on a commercial basis should send an email to register@star-center.com for a list of course dates and pricing.
Those who are interested in seeking sponsorship, who meet the prerequisite sea service and are willing to commit to covered employment with AMO, may submit their interest and information for sponsorship to bsilva@amo-union.org for assistance with obtaining their initial 3AE license endorsement or for the OICEW program after obtaining the 3AE license unlimited motor endorsement.
STAR Center is offering the required OICEW training courses IAW 46 CFR 11.329 in a consecutive block of 17-weeks starting in Feb 2024. Please note there are requirements for additional task assessment signoffs required per NVIC 17-14 which are not included in these required courses. Specifically, those in the program will have all tasks completed within these 17 weeks of courses except the following (4) NVIC 17-14 tasks: 3.1.A, 8.1.A, 8.1.B, and 8.1.C. These (4) tasks should be completed individually and properly signed off onboard your vessel IAW NVIC 17-14 enclosure 2 and 3, prior to the start of the program.
Required OICEW Training Courses (17 Weeks) IAW 46 CFR 11.329 and NVIC 17-14 the following courses MUST be completed. Note: Task assessments from NVIC 17-14 as amended are included as listed with each course.
OICEW Courses
| Course Name | USCG Ref | Duration | Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Resource Management (ERM) | STRCTR-188 | 1 week | 1.4, 15.1.A, 16.1.A, 16.2.A, 16.3.A, 16.4.A |
| Auxiliary Machinery | STRCTR-862 | 3 weeks | 1.1A, 1.1.B, 1.1.E, 1.1.F, 1.2.A, 1.3.A, 1.3.B, 1.3.C, 1.3.D, 4.1.A, 4.2.A, 4.3.T, 4.3.U, 4.3.V, 8.2.A, 8.2.B, 8.2.C, 8.2.D, 9.1.A, 9.1.B, 9.1.C, 11.1.A, 11.2.A, 11.3.A, 11.4.A |
| Motor Plants | STRCTR-734 | 3 weeks | 4.2.C, 4.3.A, 4.3.C, 4.3.F, 4.3.I, 4.3.M, 4.3.N, 4.3.O, 4.3.P, 4.3.Q, 4.3.R, 4.3.S, 5.1.A, 5.2.A, 5.2.B, 5.2.C, 5.2.D, 5.2.E, 5.3.A, 6.1.B, 6.1.D, 7.5.B, 8.3.A, 10.1.A, 10.1.B |
| Electrical Machinery and Basic Electronics (EMBE) | STRCTR-861 | 4 weeks | 6.1.A, 6.1.B, 6.1.C, 6.1.D, 6.2.A, 7.1.A, 7.2.A, 7.2.B, 7.3.A, 7.4.A |
| Control Systems | STRCTR-230 | 4 weeks | 6.1.E, 6.3.A, 7.5.A, 7.5.B, 7.5.C |
| Medical Care Provider | STRCTR-310 | 1 week | 14.1.A |
| Proficiency in Survival Craft | STRCTR-372 | 1 week | 13.1.A |
*** Note: The following additional required courses should already be completed by meeting the program entry standards and with obtaining prior rating and USCG 3AE unlimited motor endorsement:
- Basic/Advanced Fire Fighting Course (within 5 years) (STRCTR-125)- (1wk)
- Task: 12.1.A
- Valid Basic Training (if not previously taken) (STRCTR-65)- (1wk)
- Task: 17.1.A
NVIC 17-14 Assessments: As a reminder student must have completed the following NVIC 17-14 task assessments prior to enrolling for the program. These can be completed and signed off onboard IAW enclosure 2 and 3 of the NVIC.
- NVIC 17-04 tasks to be completed prior to program acceptance:
- Tasks: 3.1.A, 8.1.A., 8.1.B, 8.1.C.
Regulatory References: