Merchant Mariner's Document
Encyclopedia
Countries with a Merchant Navy
or Merchant Marine require identifying credentials for their mariners. The Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD) or Z-card in the United States, and the Ordinary Seaman's Certificate in the United Kingdom are examples of these credentials.
to obtain a job as an Ordinary Seaman
, a rating in a merchant ship's deck department
. It consists mostly of proof of identity
, proof of some minimal health (possibly including a drug test
) and some minimal age, and the standards defined under Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
(STCW
).
A Z-CARD
is also a folded leaflet
format, typically used for marketing communications.
previously issued by the United States Coast Guard
in accordance with the STCW
guidelines, and, until completely phased out, remains one of the standard documents required for all crewmembers of U.S. ships with a Gross Register Tonnage
of over 100. An entry-level MMD allows a mariner to work on the deck as an Ordinary Seamen
(OS), in the engine department as a Wiper
, or in the steward's department as a Food Handler (FH). With experience and testing, qualified ratings such as Able Seaman
(AB) or Qualified Member of the Engine Department
(QMED) can be obtained.
The document is the size of a driver's license
, and contains the sailor's information regarding date of birth, the location of issue, nationality, and the shipboard duties he or she is qualified for. Crewmen on any vessel over 100 gross tons are required to have one by United States
law.
The document was created shortly after World War II
ended in 1945 to maintain security in ports around the world when sabotage
was still a major concern. Today, the document still serves this purpose, and is regarded as a proof of identity as well as a passport
when a sailor
is in a foreign country. The document had to be renewed every five years.
Prior to the early 1990s, Z-Cards were obtained free of charge and were good for life, but increased safety standards in the maritime industry sought to keep all active mariners renewing these documents and constantly training to stay abreast of any advancements in their field. All applicants for a Z-Card are required to apply, take a drug test, and wait for a criminal background check to complete before receiving their documents, which may take anywhere from a few weeks to 6 months.
The name Z-Card comes from its early days in use where the sailor's ID number always started with the letter 'Z'.
The Coast Guard
has begun replacing the Merchant Mariner's Document, STCW
Certificate, and Certificate of Registry with a new credential, the passport-style Merchant Mariner Credential
. Mariners will receive the new credential when they apply for a new document or renew their current document. Current MMD's remain valid until their expiration date.
Merchant Navy
The Merchant Navy is the maritime register of the United Kingdom, and describes the seagoing commercial interests of UK-registered ships and their crews. Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign and are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency...
or Merchant Marine require identifying credentials for their mariners. The Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD) or Z-card in the United States, and the Ordinary Seaman's Certificate in the United Kingdom are examples of these credentials.
United Kingdom
An Ordinary Seaman Certificate is a required certificationProfessional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
to obtain a job as an Ordinary Seaman
Ordinary Seaman (occupation)
An ordinary seaman is an unlicensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. The position is an apprenticeship to become an able seaman, and has been for centuries...
, a rating in a merchant ship's deck department
Deck department
The Deck Department is an organizational unit aboard naval and merchant ships. A Deck Officer is an officer serving in the deck department.-Merchant shipping:...
. It consists mostly of proof of identity
Identity document
An identity document is any document which may be used to verify aspects of a person's personal identity. If issued in the form of a small, mostly standard-sized card, it is usually called an identity card...
, proof of some minimal health (possibly including a drug test
Drug test
A drug test is a technical analysis of a biological specimen – for example urine, hair, blood, sweat, or oral fluid / saliva – to determine the presence or absence of specified parent drugs or their metabolites...
) and some minimal age, and the standards defined under Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
STCW
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers , 1978 sets qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships. STCW was adopted in 1978 by conference at the International Maritime Organization in...
(STCW
STCW
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers , 1978 sets qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships. STCW was adopted in 1978 by conference at the International Maritime Organization in...
).
A Z-CARD
Z-CARD
The Z-CARD® is the registered trademark for the foldable guide invented by George McDonald when he was a travel writer and consultant for British Airways. McDonald found that traditional fold-out maps were too bulky to carry with him on travel research trips and wanted a more convenient solution...
is also a folded leaflet
Folded leaflets
Leaflets that are folded are usually used for advertising or marketing purposes. There are many types of folds, only the most popular types are listed here...
format, typically used for marketing communications.
United States
The Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD), previously called a Z-Card, is a kind of Merchant Mariner CredentialMerchant Mariner Credential
The Merchant Mariner Credential or MMC is a credential issued by the United States Coast Guard in accordance with the STCW guidelines to United States seafarers to show evidence of a mariner's qualifications. It will become the standard documentation required for all crew members of U.S...
previously issued by the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
in accordance with the STCW
STCW
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers , 1978 sets qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships. STCW was adopted in 1978 by conference at the International Maritime Organization in...
guidelines, and, until completely phased out, remains one of the standard documents required for all crewmembers of U.S. ships with a Gross Register Tonnage
Gross Register Tonnage
Gross register tonnage a ship's total internal volume expressed in "register tons", one of which equals to a volume of . It is calculated from the total permanently enclosed capacity of the vessel. The ship's net register tonnage is obtained by reducing the volume of non-revenue-earning spaces i.e...
of over 100. An entry-level MMD allows a mariner to work on the deck as an Ordinary Seamen
Ordinary Seaman (occupation)
An ordinary seaman is an unlicensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. The position is an apprenticeship to become an able seaman, and has been for centuries...
(OS), in the engine department as a Wiper
Wiper (occupation)
A wiper is the most junior crewmember in the engine room of a ship. The role of a wiper consists of cleaning the engine spaces and machinery, and assisting the engineers as directed....
, or in the steward's department as a Food Handler (FH). With experience and testing, qualified ratings such as Able Seaman
Able Seaman (occupation)
An able seaman is an unlicensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. An AB may work as a watchstander, a day worker, or a combination of these roles.-Watchstander:...
(AB) or Qualified Member of the Engine Department
Qualified Member of the Engine Department
A Qualified Member of the Engineering Department also known as an Unlicensed Junior Engineer or QMED is a senior unlicensed crewmember in the engine room of a ship. The QMED performs a variety of tasks connected with the maintenance and repair of engine room, fireroom, machine shop, ice-machine...
(QMED) can be obtained.
The document is the size of a driver's license
Driver's license
A driver's license/licence , or driving licence is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway. Most U.S...
, and contains the sailor's information regarding date of birth, the location of issue, nationality, and the shipboard duties he or she is qualified for. Crewmen on any vessel over 100 gross tons are required to have one by United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
law.
The document was created shortly after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
ended in 1945 to maintain security in ports around the world when sabotage
Sabotage
Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
was still a major concern. Today, the document still serves this purpose, and is regarded as a proof of identity as well as a passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
when a sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
is in a foreign country. The document had to be renewed every five years.
Prior to the early 1990s, Z-Cards were obtained free of charge and were good for life, but increased safety standards in the maritime industry sought to keep all active mariners renewing these documents and constantly training to stay abreast of any advancements in their field. All applicants for a Z-Card are required to apply, take a drug test, and wait for a criminal background check to complete before receiving their documents, which may take anywhere from a few weeks to 6 months.
The name Z-Card comes from its early days in use where the sailor's ID number always started with the letter 'Z'.
The Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
has begun replacing the Merchant Mariner's Document, STCW
STCW
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers , 1978 sets qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships. STCW was adopted in 1978 by conference at the International Maritime Organization in...
Certificate, and Certificate of Registry with a new credential, the passport-style Merchant Mariner Credential
Merchant Mariner Credential
The Merchant Mariner Credential or MMC is a credential issued by the United States Coast Guard in accordance with the STCW guidelines to United States seafarers to show evidence of a mariner's qualifications. It will become the standard documentation required for all crew members of U.S...
. Mariners will receive the new credential when they apply for a new document or renew their current document. Current MMD's remain valid until their expiration date.
See also
- Merchant Mariner CredentialMerchant Mariner CredentialThe Merchant Mariner Credential or MMC is a credential issued by the United States Coast Guard in accordance with the STCW guidelines to United States seafarers to show evidence of a mariner's qualifications. It will become the standard documentation required for all crew members of U.S...
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential
- United States Merchant MarineUnited States Merchant MarineThe United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
- Z-CARDZ-CARDThe Z-CARD® is the registered trademark for the foldable guide invented by George McDonald when he was a travel writer and consultant for British Airways. McDonald found that traditional fold-out maps were too bulky to carry with him on travel research trips and wanted a more convenient solution...