Master (200/500/3000)

Course Overview

The Master (200/500/3000) refers to a family of US Coast Guard (USCG) tonnage-based Master licence endorsements within the Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) system. These credentials authorise the holder to serve as Master — commanding officer — of US-flagged self-propelled commercial vessels up to the specified tonnage limit: Less Than 200 Gross Register Tons (GRT), Less Than 500 GRT, or Less Than 1,600 GRT. The "3,000" figure reflects the modern IMO Gross Tonnage (GT) equivalent of the 1,600 GRT old-measure limit under the 1969 Tonnage Convention, which is why providers market the highest level as "500/1600/3000."

These are US federal qualifications governed by 46 CFR Parts 10 and 11, administered by the USCG National Maritime Center (NMC). They are not RYA or MCA credentials. Training programmes prepare candidates for the USCG written examinations and, where applicable, the STCW endorsements that may be added to the same MMC card. At the 500/1,600 GRT level, a comprehensive programme covers Rules of the Road (COLREGS), Deck General, Deck Safety, Navigation General, Advanced Stability, Advanced Meteorology, Leadership and Managerial Skills, Medical Care, and Search and Rescue. An Oceans route additionally requires Celestial Navigation. The 200 GRT level is typically delivered as a shorter upgrade module for holders of a 100-ton Master credential.

All US-flagged inspected commercial vessels are required by regulation to carry a licensed Master aboard, and the vessel's size determines the minimum tonnage endorsement that Master must hold. This makes the 500/1,600 GRT credential particularly important for charter-boat operators, passenger-vessel captains, offshore supply vessel officers, and superyacht Masters operating US-flagged vessels or working in US waters who require a US domestic licence.

Key Facts

Renewal. The MMC is renewed every 5 years via USCG NMC (form CG-719B). No written examination is required for a straight renewal of the same endorsement at the same scope. Renewal requires 360 days of relevant sea service in the prior 5 years, plus 90 days on vessels of appropriate tonnage for recency. If STCW endorsements are held, Basic Training revalidation and Advanced Firefighting revalidation courses must also be completed. Applications can be submitted up to 8 months before expiry, with the renewal post-dated to the end of the current validity period.

Available Course Dates