A Merchant Mariner Credential(MMC), is a certification issued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) that authorizes an individual to work aboard commercial vessels. This credential serves as proof of a mariner’s qualifications, training, and competence to perform specific duties at sea.
Maritime endorsements are additional qualifications attached to the MMC, allowing individuals to work in specific roles or capacities within the maritime industry. These endorsements can include ratings such as Master (Captain), Mate, Able Seaman, Ordinary Seaman, or specific endorsements for engineering duties or navigation.
The US Brig Niagara requires a relatively large number of licensed crew due to its size, stability, and operational complexity. However, obtaining the required license and endorsements to legally operate the vessel is challenging. To qualify for certain endorsements, mariners must accumulate a certain number of days at sea, undergo rigorous training, and pass examinations administered by the USCG.
In particular, in accordance with her COIThe Certificate of Inspection(COI) is a legal document issued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) confirming that a vessel meets specified safety and operational standards. It ... specifications, operating the Niagara legally requires mariners to hold specific sailing endorsements, which are relatively rare among maritime professionals. Disregarding the experiential requirements, only a limited number of mariners possess the legal qualifications necessary to serve as licensed crew aboard the Niagara, highlighting the specialized nature of the vessel’s crew requirements and the difficulty in obtaining the required endorsements.