46 C.F.R. Subpart C—Training Schools with Approved Courses
Title 46 - Shipping
This subpart prescribes the general requirements applicable to all approved courses which may be accepted in lieu of service experience or examination required by the Coast Guard, or which satisfy course completion requirements. (a) The Coast Guard approves courses satisfying regulatory requirements and those that substitute for a Coast Guard examination or a portion of a sea service requirement. The owner or operator of a training school desiring to have a course approved by the Coast Guard shall submit a written request to the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, NMC-4B, 4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 630, Arlington, VA 22203–1804, that contains: (1) A list of the curriculum including a description of and the number of classroom hours required in each subject; (2) A description of the facility and equipment; (3) A list of instructors including the experience, background, and the qualifications of each; and (4) Specify the Coast Guard training requirements the course is intended to satisfy. (b) The Coast Guard notifies each applicant in writing whether or not an approval is granted. If a request for approval is denied, the Coast Guard informs the applicant the reasons for the denial and describes what corrections are required for an approval. (c) Unless sooner surrendered, suspended or withdrawn, an approval for a course at a training school that meets Coast Guard standards expires 24 months after the month in which it is issued, when the school closes, when the school gives notice that it will no longer offer the course, or on the date of any change in the ownership of the school for which it was issued, whichever occurs first. (d) If the owner or operator of a training school desires to have a course approval renewed, they shall submit a written request to the address listed in paragraph (a) of this section. For the request to be approved, the Coast Guard must be satisfied that the content and quality of instruction remain satisfactory. Unless sooner surrendered, suspended or withdrawn, a renewal of the approval expires 60 months after the month it is issued, when the school closes, when the school gives notice that it will no longer offer the course, or on the date of any change in ownership of the school for which it is issued, whichever occurs first. (e) Suspension of approval. If the Coast Guard determines that a specific course does not comply with the provisions of 46 CFR parts 10, 12, 13 or 15, or the requirements specified in the course approval; or substantially deviates from the course curriculum package as submitted for approval; or if the course is being presented in a manner that is insufficient to achieve learning objectives; the cognizant OCMI may suspend the approval, may require the holder to surrender the certificate of approval, if any, and may direct the holder to cease claiming the course is Coast Guard approved. The Cognizant OCMI will notify the approval holder in writing of its intention to suspend the approval and the reasons for suspension. If the approval holder fails to correct the reasons for suspension, the course will be suspended and the matter referred to the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center. The Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, will notify the approval holder that the specific course fails to meet applicable requirements, and explain how those deficiencies can be corrected. The Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, may grant the approval holder up to 60 days in which to correct the deficiencies. (f) Withdrawal of approval. (1) The Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, may withdraw approval for any course when the approval holder fails to correct the deficiency(ies) of a suspended course within a time period allowed under paragraph (e) of this section. (2) The Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, may withdraw approval of any or all courses by an approval holder upon a determination that the approval holder has demonstrated a pattern or history of: (i) Failing to comply with the applicable regulations or the requirements of course approvals; (ii) Substantial deviations from their approved course curricula; or (iii) Presenting courses in a manner that is insufficient to achieve learning objectives. (g) Appeals of suspension or withdrawal of approval. Anyone directly affected by a decision to suspend or withdraw an approval may appeal the decision to the Commandant via the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, as provided in §1.03–45 of this chapter. [CGD 81–059, 52 FR 38623, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29, 1995; USCG-1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998; USCG-1998–3824, 64 FR 4984, Feb. 2, 1999; USCG-2004–18884, 69 FR 58342, Sept. 30, 2004] Each school with an approved course must: (a) Have a well maintained facility that accommodates the students in a safe and comfortable environment conducive to learning. (b) Have visual aids for realism, including simulators where appropriate, which are modern and well maintained and sufficient for the number of students to be accommodated. (c) Give appropriate written or practical examinations in the course material to each student of such a degree of difficulty that a student who successfully completes them could reasonably assume that he or she would pass, on the first attempt, an examination prepared by the Coast Guard based upon knowledge requirements of the position or endorsement for which the student is being trained. (d) Keep for at least one year after the end of each student's enrollment: (1) Each written examination, or in the case of a practical test, a report of such test; and (2) A record of each student's classroom attendance. (e) Not change its approved curriculum unless approved, in writing, after the request for change has been submitted in writing to the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center (NMC-4B). (f) At any time the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection directs, allow the Coast Guard to: (1) Inspect its facilities, equipment, and records, including scholastic records; (2) Conduct interviews and surveys of students to aid in course evaluation and improvement; (3) Assign personnel to observe or participate in the course of instruction; and (4) Supervise or administer the required examinations or practical demonstrations. [CGD 81–059, 52 FR 38623, Oct. 16, 1987 and CGD 81–059, 54 FR 132, Jan. 4, 1989, as amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29, 1995; USCG-1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998; USCG-1998–3824, 64 FR 4984, Feb. 2, 1999; USCG-2004–18884, 69 FR 58342, Sept. 30, 2004] (a) Satisfactory completion of certain training courses approved by the Commandant may be substituted for a portion of the required service for many deck and engineer licenses and for qualified ratings of unlicensed personnel. The list of all currently approved courses of instruction including the equivalent service and applicable licenses and ratings is maintained by Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, NMC-4B. Satisfactory completion of an approved training course may be substituted for not more than two-thirds of the required service on deck or in the engine department for deck or engineer licenses, respectively, and for qualified ratings. (b) Service time gained at an approved training course does not satisfy recent service requirements nor does training on a simulator; however, any underway service at an approved course may be used for this purpose. An applicant who had met the recent service requirement before entering school will not be penalized by attending the approved training course. (c) Training obtained prior to receiving a license may not be used for subsequent raises of grade. (d) Simulator training in combination with a Coast Guard approved training course may be submitted to the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, for evaluation and determination of equivalency to required sea service. Simulator training cannot be substituted for recency requirements, but may substitute for a maximum of 25 percent of the required service for any license transaction. (e) Except as provided in §10.202, when a candidate both applies for an STCW certificate or endorsement as an officer in charge of a navigational watch, on the basis of training or sea service commencing on or after August 1, 1998, and uses completion of approved training to substitute for required service, then not less than 1 year of the remaining service must be part of approved training that meets the appropriate requirements of Chapter II of STCW and the requirements of subpart C of this part. The training of a candidate must be documented in a Coast Guard-accepted training-record book. (f) Except as provided in §10.202, each candidate who applies for an STCW certificate or endorsement as an officer in charge of an engineering watch or as a designated duty engineer on the basis of training or sea service commencing on or after August 1, 1998, for service on seagoing vessels, shall complete onboard training as part of approved training that meets the appropriate requirements of Chapter III of STCW (incorporated by reference in §10.102) and the requirements of subpart C of this part. The training must be documented in a Coast Guard-accepted training-record book. (g) The training-record book referred to in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section must contain at least the following: (1) The identity of the candidate. (2) The tasks to be performed or the skills to be demonstrated, with reference to the standards of competence set forth in the tables of the appropriate sections in part A of the STCW Code. (3) The criteria to be used in determining that the tasks or skills have been performed properly, again with reference to the standards of competence set forth in the tables of the appropriate sections in part A of the STCW Code. (4) A place for a qualified instructor to indicate by his or her initials that the candidate has received training in the proper performance of the task or skill. (5) A place for a designated examiner to indicate by his or her initials that the candidate has successfully completed a practical demonstration and has proved competent in the task or skill under the criteria, when assessment of competence is to be documented in the record books. (6) The identity of each qualified instructor, including any Coast Guard license or document held, and the instructor's signature. (7) The identity of each designated examiner, when any assessment of competence is recorded, including any Coast Guard license or document held, and the examiner's signature confirming that his or her initials certify that he or she has witnessed the practical demonstration of a particular task or skill by the candidate. (h) Each applicant for a license as master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels, and each master or mate of self-propelled vessels of greater than 200 gross tons seeking an endorsement for towing vessels, shall complete a towing officers' assessment record that contains at least the following: (1) Identification of the candidate, including full name, home address, photograph or photo-image, and personal signature. (2) Objectives of the training and assessment. (3) Tasks to perform or skills to demonstrate. (4) Criteria to use in determining that the tasks or skills have been performed properly. (5) A place for a qualified instructor or licensed officer (with authority to operate a towing vessel) to indicate by his or her initials that the candidate has received training in the proper performance of the tasks or skills. (6) A place for a designated examiner to indicate by his or her initials that the candidate has successfully completed a practical demonstration and has proved proficient in the task or skill under the criteria. (7) Identification of each qualified instructor or licensed officer (with authority to operate a towing vessel) by full name, home address, employer, job title, ship name or business address, number of any Coast Guard licenses or documents held, and personal signature. (8) Identification of each designated examiner by full name, home address, employer, job title, ship name or business address, number of any Coast Guard licenses or documents held, and personal signature confirming that his or her initials certify that he or she has witnessed the practical demonstration of a particular task or skill by the candidate. (i) The training-record book referred to in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section may be maintained electronically, if the electronic record meets Coast Guard-accepted standards for accuracy, integrity, and availability. [CGD 81–059, 52 FR 38623, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by CGD 81–059, 54 FR 135, Jan. 4, 1989; CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29, 1995; CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34531, June 26, 1997; USCG-1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998; USCG-1999–6224, 64 FR 63225, Nov. 19, 1999; 66 FR 20936, Apr. 26, 2001; USCG-1999–5610, 67 FR 66068, Oct. 30, 2002; USCG-2004–18884, 69 FR 58342, Sept. 30, 2004] (a) A student who takes an approved course of training, which includes passing both a radar-theory examination and a practical demonstration on a simulator, and who meets the requirements of this section is entitled to an appropriate Radar-Observer certificate— (1) In a form prescribed by the school and acceptable to the Coast Guard; and (2) Signed by the head of the school. (b) The following Radar-Observer certificates are issued under this section: (1) Radar Observer (Unlimited). (2) Radar Observer (Inland Waters and Gulf-Intracoastal Waterway [GIWW]). (3) Radar Observer (Rivers). (4) Radar Observer (Unlimited: Renewal). (5) Radar Observer (Inland Waters and GIWW: Renewal). (6) Radar Observer (Rivers: Renewal). (c) A school with an approved Radar-Observer course may issue a certificate listed in paragraph (b) of this section after the student has successfully completed the appropriate curriculum as follows: (1) Radar Observer (Unlimited). Classroom instruction—including demonstration and practical exercises using simulators—and examination, in the following subjects: (i) Fundamentals of radar: (A) How radar works. (B) Factors affecting the performance and accuracy of marine radar. (C) Purposes and functions of the main components that constitute a typical marine-radar system. (ii) Operation and use of radar: (A) Purpose and adjustment of controls. (B) Detection of malfunctions, false and indirect echoes, and other radar phenomena. (C) Effects of sea return, weather, and other environmental conditions. (D) Limitations of radar resulting from design factors. (E) Safety precautions associated with use and maintenance of marine radar. (F) Measurement of ranges and bearings. (G) Effect of size, shape, composition, and distance of vessels and terrestrial targets on echo. (iii) Interpretation and analysis of radar information: (A) Radar navigation (including visual techniques)—determining positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other vessels. (B) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate to the circumstances and the equipment in use. (C) Determining the course and speed of another vessel. (D) Determining the time and distance of closest point of approach of a crossing, meeting, overtaking, or overtaken vessel. (E) Detecting changes of course or speed of another vessel after its initial course and speed have been established. (F) Applying the Navigational Rules, Chapters 30 and 34 of Title 33 U.S. Code [Commandant Instruction M16672.2C, as amended, or equivalent], and other factors to consider when determining changes of course or speed of a vessel to prevent collisions on the basis of radar observation. (G) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness. (iv) Plotting (by any graphically-correct method): (A) Principles and methods of plotting relative and true motion. (B) Practical-plotting problems. (2) Radar Observer (Inland Waters and GIWW). Classroom instruction—with emphasis on situations and problems encountered on inland waters and the GIWW, including demonstration and practical exercises using simulators—and examination, in the following subjects: (i) Fundamentals of radar: (A) How radar works. (B) Factors affecting the performance and accuracy of marine radar. (C) Purpose and functions of the main components that constitute a typical marine-radar system. (ii) Operation and use of radar: (A) Purpose and adjustment of controls. (B) Detection of malfunctions, false and indirect echoes, and other radar phenomena. (C) Effects of sea return, weather, and other environmental conditions. (D) Limitations of radar resulting from design factors. (E) Safety precautions associated with use and maintenance of marine radar. (F) Measurement of ranges and bearings. (G) Effect of size, shape, composition, and distance of vessels and terrestrial targets on echo. (iii) Interpretation and analysis of radar information: (A) Radar navigation (including visual techniques)—determining positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other vessels. (B) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate to the circumstances and the equipment in use. (C) Determining the course and speed of another vessel. (D) Determining the time and distance of closest point of approach of a crossing, meeting, overtaking, or overtaken vessel. (E) Detecting changes of course or speed of another vessel after its initial course and speed have been established. (F) Applying the Navigational Rules, and other factors to consider when determining changes of course or speed of a vessel to prevent collisions on the basis of radar observation. (G) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness. (3) Radar Observer (Rivers). Classroom instruction—with emphasis on situations and problems encountered on rivers, including demonstration and practical exercises using simulators—and examination, in the following subjects: (i) Fundamentals of radar: (A) How radar works. (B) Factors affecting the performance and accuracy of marine radar. (C) Purpose and functions of the main components that constitute a typical marine-radar system. (ii) Operation and use of radar: (A) Purpose and adjustment of controls. (B) Detection of malfunctions, false and indirect echoes, and other radar phenomena. (C) Effects of sea return, weather, and other environmental conditions. (D) Limitations of radar resulting from design factors. (E) Safety precautions associated with use and maintenance of marine radar. (F) Measurement of ranges and bearings, recognizing limited use of radar bearings in curving, narrow channels. (G) Effect of size, shape, composition, and distance of vessels and terrestrial targets on echo. (iii) Interpretation and analysis of radar information: (A) Radar navigation (including visual techniques)—determining positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other vessels. (B) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate to the circumstances and the equipment in use. (C) Applying the Navigational Rules, and other factors to consider when determining changes of course or speed of a vessel to prevent collisions on the basis of radar observation. (D) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness. (4) Radar Observer (Unlimited: Renewal). Classroom instruction—including demonstration and practical exercises using simulators—and examination, in the following subjects: (i) Interpretation and analysis of radar information: (A) Radar navigation (including visual techniques)—determining positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other vessels. (B) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate to the circumstances and the equipment in use. (C) Determining the course and speed of another vessel. (D) Determining the time and distance of closest point of approach of a crossing, meeting, overtaking, or overtaken vessel. (E) Detecting changes of course or speed of another vessel after its initial course and speed have been established. (F) Applying the Navigational Rules, and other factors to consider when determining changes of course or speed of a vessel to prevent collisions on the basis of radar observation. (G) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness. (ii) Plotting (by any graphically-correct method): (A) Principles and methods of plotting relative and true motion. (B) Practical-plotting problems. (5) Radar Observer (Inland Waters and GIWW: Renewal). Classroom instruction—including demonstration and practical exercises using simulators—and examination, in the interpretation and analysis of radar information, including: (i) Radar navigation (including visual techniques—determining positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other vessels. (ii) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate to the circumstances and the equipment in use. (iii) Determining the course and speed of another vessel. (iv) Determining the time and distance of closest point of approach of a crossing, meeting, overtaking, or overtaken vessel. (v) Detecting changes of course or speed of another vessel after its initial course and speed have been established. (vi) Applying the Navigational Rules, and other factors to consider when determining changes of course or speed of a vessel to prevent collisions on the basis of radar observation. (vii) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness. (6) Radar Observer (Rivers: Renewal). Classroom instruction—including demonstration and practical exercises using simulators—and examination, in the interpretation and analysis of radar information, including: (i) Radar navigation (including visual techniques)—determining positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other vessels. (ii) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate to the circumstances and the equipment in use. (iii) Applying the Navigational Rules, and other factors to consider when determining changes of course or speed of a vessel to prevent collisions on the basis of radar observation. (iv) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness. [CGD 94–041, 62 FR 11303, Mar. 11, 1997]
Title 46: Shipping
PART 10—LICENSING OF MARITIME PERSONNEL
Subpart C—Training Schools with Approved Courses
§ 10.301 Applicability.
§ 10.302 Course approval.
§ 10.303 General standards.
§ 10.304 Substitution of training for required service, use of training-record books, and use of towing officer assessment records.
§ 10.305 Radar-Observer certificates and qualifying courses.
§ 10.306 [Reserved]
§ 10.307 Training schools with approved radar observer courses.
The Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, NMC-4B, 4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 630, Arlington, VA 22203–1804 maintains the list of approved schools and specific courses. This information is available upon request by writing the aforementioned address or calling (202) 493–1025 (also available on the internet at: www.uscg.mil/nmc).
[CGD 81–059, 52 FR 38623, Oct. 16, 1987 and CGD 81–059, 54 FR 132, Jan. 4, 1989, as amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29, 1995; USCG-1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998; USCG-2004–18884, 69 FR 58342, Sept. 30, 2004]
§ 10.309 Coast Guard-accepted training other than approved courses.
(a) When the training and assessment of competence required by this part are not subject to Coast Guard approval under §10.302, but are used to qualify to hold an STCW certificate or endorsement for service on or after February 1, 2002, such training and assessment must meet the following requirements:
(1) The training and assessment must have written, clearly defined objectives that emphasize specific knowledge, skills, and abilities, and that include criteria to be used in establishing a student's successful achievement of the training objectives.
(2) The training must be set out in a written syllabus that conforms to a Coast Guard-accepted outline for such training and includes—
(i) The sequence of subjects to be covered;
(ii) The number of hours to be devoted to instruction in relevant areas of knowledge;
(iii) The identity and professional qualifications of the instructor(s) to be conducting the training or providing instruction;
(iv) The identification of other media or facilities to be used in conducting training; and
(v) Measurements at appropriate intervals of each candidate's progress toward acquisition of the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities stated in the training objectives.
(3) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, documentary evidence must be readily available to establish that all instructors—
(i) Have experience, training, or instruction in effective instructional techniques;
(ii) Are qualified in the task for which the training is being conducted; and
(iii) Hold the level of license, endorsement, or other professional credential required of those who would apply on board a vessel the relevant level of knowledge, skills, and abilities described in the training objectives.
(4) Neither a specialist in a particular field of nonmaritime education, such as mathematics or first aid, nor a person with at least 3 years of service as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, specializing in the field in which he or she is to conduct training, need hold a maritime license or document to conduct training in that field.
(5) A simulator may be used in training if—
(i) The simulator meets applicable performance standards;
(ii) The instructor has gained practical operational experience on the particular type of simulator being used; and
(iii) The instructor has received appropriate guidance in instructional techniques involving the use of simulators.
(6) Essential equipment and instructional materials must afford all students adequate opportunity to participate in exercises and acquire practice in performing required skills.
(7) A process for routinely assessing the effectiveness of the instructors, including the use of confidential evaluations by students, is in place.
(8) Documentary evidence is readily available to establish that any evaluation of whether a student is competent in accordance with standards, methods, and criteria set out in part A of the STCW Code is conducted by a designated examiner who has experience, training, or instruction in assessment techniques.
(9) Records of the student's performance are maintained for at least 1 year by the offeror of the training and assessment.
(10) To ensure that the training is meeting its objectives, and the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) through (9) of this section, the offeror must either—
(i) Be regulated as a maritime academy or marine academy pursuant to 46 CFR part 310; or
(ii) Monitor the training in accordance with a Coast Guard-accepted QSS, which must include the following features:
(A) The training must be provisionally certified, on the basis of an initial independent evaluation conducted under a Coast Guard-accepted QSS, as being capable of meeting its objective.
(B) The training must be periodically monitored in accordance with the schedule stipulated under the Coast Guard-accepted QSS.
(C) Each person conducting the initial evaluation or the subsequent periodic monitoring of the training shall be knowledgeable about the subjects being evaluated or monitored and about the national and international requirements that apply to the training, and shall not himself or herself be involved in the training and assessment of students.
(D) Each person evaluating or monitoring the training shall have access to all appropriate documents and facilities, and shall have opportunities both to observe all appropriate activities and to conduct confidential interviews when necessary.
(E) Arrangements must be such as to ensure that no person evaluating or monitoring the training is penalized or rewarded, directly or indirectly, by the sponsor of the training for making any particular observations or for reaching any particular conclusions.
(11) Each person conducting the initial evaluation under paragraph (a)(10)(ii)(A) of this section or the periodic monitoring of the training under paragraph (a)(10)(ii)(B) of this section shall communicate his or her conclusions to the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, NMC-4B, 4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 630, Arlington, VA 22203–1804, within 1 month of the completion of the evaluation or the monitoring.
(12) Each offeror of the training shall let the Coast Guard or someone authorized by the Coast Guard observe the records of a student's performance and records otherwise relating to paragraphs (a)(1) through (10) of this section.
(b) The Coast Guard will maintain a list of training each of whose offerors submits a certificate, initially not less than 45 calendar days before offering training under this section, and annually thereafter, signed by the offeror or its authorized representatives, stating that the training fully complies with requirements of this section, and identifying the Coast Guard-accepted QSS being used for independent monitoring. Training programs on this list will offer the training necessary for licenses and STCW endorsements under this part. The Coast Guard will update this list periodically and make it available to members of the public on request.
(c) If the Coast Guard determines, on the basis of observations or conclusions either of its own or of someone authorized by it to monitor the training, that particular training does not satisfy one or more of the conditions described in paragraph (a) of this section—
(1) The Coast Guard will so notify the offeror of the training by letter, enclosing a report of the observations and conclusions;
(2) The offeror may, within a period specified in the notice, either appeal the observations or conclusions to the Commandant (G-MOC) or bring the training into compliance; and
(3) If the appeal is denied—or the deficiency is not corrected in the allotted time, or within any additional period judged by the Coast Guard to be appropriate, considering progress toward compliance—the Coast Guard will remove the training from the list maintained under paragraph (b) of this section until it can verify full compliance; and it may deny applications for licenses for STCW endorsement based in whole or in part on training not on the list, until additional training or assessment is documented.
[CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34531, June 26, 1997, as amended by USCG-1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998; USCG-2004–18884, 69 FR 58342, Sept. 30, 2004]
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