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Engine Department

Many engine department courses have prerequisites. For example, to be accepted for Advanced Refrigeration/Containers, students must have successfully completed Basic Marine Electrician and Refrigeration System Maintenance and Operations.

COAST GUARD STCW
CERTIFICATION COURSES

Basic Auxiliary Plant Operation
Applicants completing our 140-hour Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations course and who present our Certificate of Training at a Regional Exam Center WITHIN 1 YEAR of the completion of training, satisfy the examination requirements of 46 CFR 12.15-9 for the General Safety examination module, PROVIDED they have also completed either our 63-hour Basic Motor Plant Operations course and/or our 70-hour Basic Steam Plant Operations course. Applicants who have successfully completed our course need not present individually completed “Control Sheets” for the assessments in application for STCW certification.

The objective of this course to provide students with knowledge and practical operational skills required of rated engine department watchstanders as they sail in the capacity of FOWT. This objective is accomplished through classroom lectures and shore-side auxiliary plant simulator practical exercises.

Prerequisites: Same as FOWT program

Fireman, Oiler & Watertender (FOWT)
Applicants completing Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations and both Basic Motor Plant Operations and Basic Steam Plant Operations will meet the requirements for endorsement as FOWT. (These classes are described below as stand-alone courses.) Applicants completing Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations and either Basic Motor Plant Operations or Basic Steam Plant Operations will be eligible for an FOWT (Restricted) endorsement.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Paul Hall Center Unlicensed Apprentice Training Program; successful completion of the unlicensed apprentice sea voyage and required sea projects; unlicensed apprentice sea voyage performance evaluations within the engine department as completed by the First Assistant Engineer of at least satisfactory or better; recommendation by the unlicensed apprentice sea voyage participating vessel’s Chief Engineer
OR 6 months’ sea time as wiper AND STCW certification in all areas of basic safety training; successful completion of the entry-level sea voyage and auxiliary plant familiarization sea project; total USCG approved sea service or equivalent sea service in the engine room of vessels of at least 6 months; meet all USCG physical standards for qualified members of the engine department

Military veterans meeting the prior military sea service requirement in the engine room of vessels must meet the following entrance requirements: Prior approval to the military veterans program for ratings forming part of an engineering watch; meet all USCG physical standards for qualified members of the engine department

Junior Engineer Program
Applicants completing our 70-hour Basic Propulsion Systems Maintenance, 70-hour Basic Refrigeration & HVAC, 70-hour Basic Electricity, and 203-hour Auxiliary Plant Maintenance courses, and presenting our Certificate of Training at a Regional Exam Center, satisfy the requirements of 46 CFR 12.15-9, if presented WITHIN 1 YEAR of the completion of training, for the General Safety, Junior Engineer, and Deck Engineer examination modules, provided they also present evidence of acquiring at least 90 days engine room service while endorsed as a QMED Oiler prior to commencing the above training.

Prerequisites: Basic Safety. Recommended: Tankerman Assistant (DL), QMED-Oiler/Motor, Total USCG-approved sea or equivalent service in engine room of vessels for at least 6 months, Fireman/WT or Oiler rating

Machinist
Applicants completing our 102-hour Machinist course, and presenting our Certificate of Training at a Regional Exam Center, satisfy the requirements of 46 CFR 12.15- 9, if presented WITHIN 1 YEAR of the completion of training, for the Machinist examination module, provided they also present evidence of completing the requirements to be endorsed with a Junior Engineer rating endorsement prior to commencing the above training.

This course provides mariners cognitive and practical mechanical skills in the area of general metalworking and machine tool operations.

Prerequisites: STCW certification in all areas of basic safety training, USCG physical standards for QMED OR hold the USCG Oiler Rating endorsement, STCW certificate as a RFPEW, completed QMED Junior Engineer training program, and USCG Junior Engineer rating

Marine Electrician
Applicants completing our 280-hour Marine Electrician course, and presenting our Certificate of Training at a Regional Exam Center, satisfy the requirements of 46 CFR 12.15-9, if presented WITHIN 1 YEAR of the completion of training, for the Electrician examination module, provided they also present evidence of acquiring at least 90 days’ engine room service while endorsed as a QMED–Junior Engineer prior to commencing the above training.

This course provides Engine Department personnel with the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills necessary to perform maintenance and repair operations on motors, generators, and controllers on board ship.

Prerequisites: 6 months QMED

Pumpman
The Paul Hall Center’s Pumpman course is a 70-hour, 10-day course designed for mariners who are employed, or may be employed, on U.S.-flag vessels. Training meets or exceeds requirements of 46 CFR Sec. 12.15-9 (c) for Pumpman.

The objective of the Pumpman course is to provide engine department personnel with the theoretical and practical knowledge and the skills necessary to operate, maintain, and repair the equipment associated with the handling of liquid cargo onboard a tankship. Topics covered in the Pumpman course are Inert Gas Systems, Crude Oil Washing (COW) Systems, Vapor Recovery, and two days of assessment in the Cargo Simulator. On successful completion of this course, students will be awarded a Paul Hall Center certificate.

Each student must meet the following entrance requirements: Paul Hall Center Apprentice Program Phases I, II, and III, including Tanker Familiarization Dangerous Liquids (DL) training, Paul Hall Center FOWT Program, QMED Any Rating, Paul Hall Center QMED Junior Engineer Program

Students taking training prior to April 4, 1997 or who did not have access to the Paul Hall Center UA program must satisfy the following requirements: STCW certification in all areas of basic safety training, successful completion of the Paul Hall Center Tanker Familiarization DL course, successful completion of the Paul Hall Center FOWT program (non-rated applicants), USCG-approved sea time and equivalent sea service in the engine room of vessels of at least 6 months, meet all USCG physical standards for qualified members of the engine department

Students entering the industry before August 1, 1998 must hold either the USCG Fireman/WT or Oiler rating endorsements (rated applicants)

Marine Refrigeration Technician
The Paul Hall Center’s Marine Refrigeration Technician course is a 6-week (210-hour) course designed for mariners who are employed, or may be employed, on U.S.-flag vessels. Training meets or exceeds requirements of 46 CFR Section 12.15-9 (b) for Refrigeration Engineer.

The objective of the Marine Refrigeration Technician course is to provide engine department personnel with the theoretical and practical knowledge and the skills necessary to perform maintenance and repair operations on ship’s stores plants, air conditioning plants, cargo refrigeration, ventilation and dehumidification equipment, as well as pantry refrigerators, water coolers, and ice machines. An introduction to refrigerated container units will also be presented. Successful candidates will earn a Paul Hall Center certificate of training.

Each candidate must meet the following entrance requirements:

Successfully completed a USCG-approved STCW Basic Safety Training course; possess current U.S. Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) or USCG license; speak and understand verbal orders in English; six months at sea as a Qualified Member of the Engineering Department (QMED) Junior Engineer and possess the Electrician’s endorsement or the Refrigerating Engineer’s endorsement; provide documented proof of fulfilling the physical examination requirements in accordance with 46 CFR 12.15-5

ENGINEERING SPECIALTY COURSES

Diesel Engine Technology
This 4-week course, leading to certification in diesel engine technology, consists of classroom instruction and hands-on training. Topics of instruction include diesel engine theory; two- and four-stroke cycle operating principles; and the construction, operation, maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of low-, medium- and high-speed diesel engines.

Also covered are associated auxiliaries including intake and exhaust systems, lubrication and cooling systems, and fuel injection and starting systems.
Students receive practical training in the operation and repair of diesel engines on board school training vessels.

Prerequisites: QMED-Any Rating or equivalent inland experience

Automated Cargo Ops
This 6-week course of instruction in the pumpman career track includes classroom and simulator training in all facets of liquid cargo loading and discharge. The curriculum consists of cargo properties and emergency procedures, operation and maintenance of valves and pumps, loading procedures, cargo pump operations, cargo measurement, discharging procedures, ballasting procedures, tank cleaning, inert gas systems and more.

Prerequisite: QMED-Any Rating Class 3 or QMED Junior Engineer/Pumpman Class 3. Recommended: Basic and Intermediate Math and Computer Basic Advanced plant maintenance must be completed for advancement to QMED Class 2

Refrigeration System Maintenance & Operations
Now an elective, this 6-week class blends practical and classroom instruction leading to certification in refrigeration system maintenance and operations. Among the topics covered are theory of mechanical refrigeration, major system components, accessories, cycle controls, refrigerants and oils, and applied electricity.

Standard service techniques are emphasized, such as the operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of ships’ stores plants, air conditioning plants, cargo ventilation and dehumidifying equipment, and pantry refrigerators, water coolers, and ice machines.

Hands-on shop training includes the complete fabrication of a working refrigeration system from basic system components. An introduction to refrigerated container units is also presented.

Students must be certified as QMED-Any Rating or have equivalent inland experience or hold Coast Guard endorsements as refrigeration engineer and electrician in order to enroll for this course.

Prerequisites: QMED-Any rating, OR Refrigeration Engineer and Electrician OR equivalent inland experience

Refrigerated Containers Advanced Maintenance
This 4-week course leads to certification in refrigerated containers maintenance and consists of classroom and practical shop training. The training experience enables students to assume the duties of a maintenance electrician on board ships carrying refrigerated containers.

Students receive training in all phases of refrigerated container unit operation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting. This includes the various types of engines, refrigeration, and electrical systems.

The course is designed to help students develop a systematic approach to troubleshooting, and maintenance procedures.

Prerequisites: 6-months’ sea time as Wiper, 6 additional months’ sea time in any Engineering Department rating. Must hold a QMED-any rating endorsement, or endorsements as Refrigeration Engineer and Electrician, or possess equivalent inland experience

Hydraulics
The curriculum in the 4-week hydraulics course blends practical training with classroom work. Fluids, actuators, control devices, pumps, reservoirs, symbols, and hydraulic systems in marine equipment are among the subjects covered in this class. Also addressed are principles of electrical control of hydraulic systems, cargo winches, deck cranes, anchor windlasses, ships’ steering systems, ramps, fire doors, and a variety of other shipboard systems.

Welding
Classroom instruction and hands-on training compose this 4-week course, which features practical training in electric arc welding and cutting and oxy-acetylene brazing, welding, and cutting.

Prerequisites: No additional prerequisites


The course schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the industry or the national interest. Seafarers should continue to consult each monthly edition of the Seafarers LOG for the most up-to-date course schedule.

For additional information, contact the Paul Hall Center, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; telephone (301) 994-0010. Please note that students should check in the Saturday before their course's start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates.

In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB, QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survival courses. An introduction to computer courses will be self-study.

 
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