Master mariner
Encyclopedia
A Master Mariner or MM is the professional qualification required for someone to serve as the person in charge or person in command of a commercial vessel. In England, the term Master Mariner has been in use at least since the 13th 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, etc http://www.hcmm.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=16). In the United States, the term was introduced in the mid-19th century.
. The holder of a restricted Master's certificate is not normally referred to as a "Master Mariner".
In the British Merchant Navy a Master Mariner who has sailed in command of an oceangoing merchant ship of 3000 GT or more will be titled Captain
. A professional seafarer who holds a restricted or limited Master's certificate who has sailed in command of a ship (i.e. appropriate to the size, power or geographic limits of their certificate) can also be titled Captain
.
An unrestricted master's certificate is colloquially called a "Master's Ticket" or a "Master's." It is sometimes still referred to as a “Class 1” or “Master Foreign-Going” as it was named during the latter part of the 20th century. The conventions or acts governing the certificate have evolved alongside the shipping industry and the official name of a Master Mariner’s qualification has varied over the years. The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency
, in-line with the amended STCW convention http://www.stcw.org/, currently title the certificate Master Unlimited. http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/workingatsea/mcga-trainingandcert/mcga-merchantnavy/mcga-merchantnavy-deck/sea-service-for-merchant-coc.htm#mu.
A Master Mariner who has sailed in command of a commercial vessel is given the title and the appellative of Captain
.
Master craftsman
A master craftsman or master tradesman was a member of a guild. In the European guild system, only masters were allowed to be members of the guild....
in this specific profession (e.g. Master Carpenter, Master Blacksmith, etc http://www.hcmm.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=16). In the United States, the term was introduced in the mid-19th century.
United Kingdom
In the UK, the term “Master Mariner” is reserved only for those who hold an unlimited master's certificate. The term “unlimited” (often referred to as unrestricted) indicates that there are no limits on size, power or geographic location on the certificate. It is the highest level of professional qualification amongst mariners and Deck Officers in the British Merchant Navy. The Extra Master's qualification, which was discontinued in the 1990's used to be the highest professional qualification and it was the pinnacle for any mariner to achieve. There are also various other levels of Master's certificates, which may be restricted or limited to Home Trade/Near Coastal Voyages and/or by gross tonnageGross tonnage
Gross tonnage is a unitless index related to a ship's overall internal volume. Gross tonnage is different from gross register tonnage...
. The holder of a restricted Master's certificate is not normally referred to as a "Master Mariner".
In the British Merchant Navy a Master Mariner who has sailed in command of an oceangoing merchant ship of 3000 GT or more will be titled Captain
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
. A professional seafarer who holds a restricted or limited Master's certificate who has sailed in command of a ship (i.e. appropriate to the size, power or geographic limits of their certificate) can also be titled Captain
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
.
An unrestricted master's certificate is colloquially called a "Master's Ticket" or a "Master's." It is sometimes still referred to as a “Class 1” or “Master Foreign-Going” as it was named during the latter part of the 20th century. The conventions or acts governing the certificate have evolved alongside the shipping industry and the official name of a Master Mariner’s qualification has varied over the years. The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is a UK executive agency working to prevent the loss of lives at sea and is responsible for implementing British and International maritime law and safety policy.This involves coordinating search and rescue at sea through Her Majesty's Coastguard , ensuring that...
, in-line with the amended STCW convention http://www.stcw.org/, currently title the certificate Master Unlimited. http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/workingatsea/mcga-trainingandcert/mcga-merchantnavy/mcga-merchantnavy-deck/sea-service-for-merchant-coc.htm#mu.
United States
A Master Mariner license comes rated for the maximum gross tonnage of vessel that license-holder is allowed to operate with the highest being a license for "any gross tonnage", colloquially referred to as "unlimited". Additionally, the licenses come with restrictions as to what waters the officer is allowed to operate on (inland, coastal, oceans). An unlimited tonnage ocean license is the highest level license attainable.http://www.uscg.mil/nmcA Master Mariner who has sailed in command of a commercial vessel is given the title and the appellative of Captain
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
.
See also
- Captain (nautical)Captain (nautical)A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
- Licensed marinerLicensed marinerA licensed mariner is a person who holds a license issued by one or more countries to hold senior positions aboard ships, boats, and similar vessels. The United States Coast Guard grants licenses to members of the United States Merchant Marine in five categories: deck officers, engineers, staff...
- Senior CaptainSenior CaptainSenior Captain is a rare military rank which is used in some countries armed forces.-Army:In some armies of the world, the senior captain is a rank between a regular Captain and a Major. The rank is often only found in armies and air forces...
- Honourable Company of Master MarinersHonourable Company of Master MarinersThe Honourable Company of Master Mariners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was formed in 1926; it was made a Livery Company by the City of London in 1932, making it the first new Livery Company to be formed in over a century...
- Harbour pilot
- Category:Naval ranks
- Category:Merchant marine
- Category:Merchant navy
Master Mariner Associations
- The Council of American Master Mariners
- The Honourable Company of Master Mariners
- The Company of Master Mariners of Australia
- The Irish Institute of Master Mariners
- The Company of Master Mariners of Canada
- The Company of Master Mariners of Sri Lanka
- The International Federation of Shipmasters' Associations
- Top Best of American Master Mariners