Master mariner

Norwegian master mariner and AB on a Norwegian coastal ferry

A master mariner is a licensed mariner who holds the highest grade of licensed seafarer qualification; namely, a master's license.[1] A master mariner is therefore allowed to serve as the master of a merchant ship[2] for which national and international requirements apply under the STCW Convention.[3][1] Regulation II/2 sets out requirements for Master Mariners.[3][1] Master mariners can possess either an unlimited certification/licence or one restricted based on tonnage of the ship.[1] Certification is given by national authorities, typically following completion of minimum necessary seatime and a course of approved training, based on the IMO model course.[4][1] For those with an unlimited certificate, this has no limits on the tonnage, power, or geographic location of the vessel that the holder of the license is allowed to serve upon.[1] An unlimited master mariner would therefore be allowed to serve as the Captain of a ship any size, of any type, operating anywhere in the world,[5] and it reflects the highest level of professional qualification amongst mariners and deck officers. Master certification/licensing is also given with tonnage restrictions of 500 tonnes.[1]

The term master mariner has been in use at least since the 9th century, reflecting the fact that in guild or livery company terms, such a person was a master craftsman in this specific profession (e.g., master carpenter, master blacksmith).

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Cartner, John A.C.; Fiske, Richard P.; Leiter, Tara L. (2009). International Law of the Shipmaster. London: Routledge. p. 211-216. ISBN 978-1-84311-807-7. OCLC 430054523.
  2. ^ "Research guide C2: The Merchant Navy: Tracing people: Master-mariners, mates and engineers". Royal Museums Greenwich. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  3. ^ a b House, D. J.; Saeed, Farhan (2017). The Seamanship Examiner. London New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. p. 243. ISBN 978-1-138-67488-2.
  4. ^ Organization, International Maritime (1999). Master and Chief Mate. London: IMO Publishing. ISBN 978-92-801-6103-8.
  5. ^ Master Mariner Requirements