Maritime Career Guides
Practical guides on credentials, training, and career paths for working in the U.S. maritime industry. More guides are being added; see About for how to reach us.
- How to Become a Merchant Mariner
Three paths in: hawsepiping through unlicensed sea time, a maritime academy, or transitioning in from military service. - What Credentials Do I Need to Work in the U.S. Maritime Industry?
TWIC, MMC, USCG Medical Certificate, STCW Basic Training, and passport: what each one is and how they fit together. - TWIC Card: What It Is and Who Needs One
The TSA-issued security credential most maritime jobs require before you can even start other paperwork. - Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC): How to Apply
The core USCG credential for anyone sailing aboard a vessel, unlicensed or licensed. - USCG Medical Certificate: What to Know
How it differs from a regular physical, and how it fits into your MMC application. - STCW Basic Training: The Four Courses Explained
Personal Survival Techniques, Basic Firefighting, First Aid, and Personal Safety, and who actually needs this endorsement. - Do Merchant Mariners Need a Passport?
Why it matters even for jobs that look domestic-only, and how to apply.