(a) General. A Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED) is any person below officer and above the rating of Coal Passer or Wiper, who holds an MMC or MMD endorsed as QMED by the Coast Guard.

(b) Categories. (1) Each QMED rating must be endorsed separately, unless the applicant qualifies for all QMED ratings, in which case the endorsement will read “QMED—any rating.” The ratings are—

(i) Boiler Technician/Watertender;

(ii) Oiler;

(iii) Junior Engineer;

(iv) Electrician/Refrigerating Engineer; and

(v) Pump Technician/Machinist.

(2) The Coast Guard will no longer issue original endorsements for Deck Engineer, Deck/Engine Mechanic, or Engineman, or individual endorsements for Refrigerating Engineer, Machinist, Electrician, and Pump Technician. However, a mariner who holds any of these endorsements may continue to renew them as long as they are otherwise qualified.

(3) If the holder of an endorsement as Pump Technician only or Machinist only seeks the combined endorsement of Pump Technician/Machinist, the mariner must pass the examination described in table 1 to § 12.505(c).

(4) If the holder of an endorsement as Electrician only or Refrigerating Engineer only seeks the combined endorsement of Electrician/Refrigerating Engineer, the mariner must pass the examination described in table 1 to § 12.505(c).

(c) Requirements for certification. To qualify for any endorsement as QMED, an applicant must—

(1) Be at least 18 years of age;

(2) Pass the prescribed physical and medical examination requirements specified in 46 CFR Part 10, subpart C;

(3) Provide evidence of having passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs or of having qualified for an exemption from testing, as described in § 16.220 of this subchapter;

(4) Meet the sea service or training requirements in § 12.503 of this subpart;

(5) Pass an examination as QMED; and

(6) Speak and understand the English language as would be required in performing the general duties of QMED and during an emergency aboard ship.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77975, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2021-0097, 89 FR 93101, Nov. 25, 2024; USCG-2021-0834, 89 FR 102336, Dec. 17, 2024]

(a) An applicant for an endorsement as Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED) must provide the Coast Guard with proof of qualification based on 6 months of service in a rating at least equal to that of Wiper or Coal Passer.

(b) Approved training programs may be substituted for the required periods of service as follows:

(1) A graduate of a school ship may qualify for a rating endorsement as QMED, without further service, upon satisfactory completion of the program of instruction. For this purpose, school ship is interpreted to mean an institution that offers a complete approved program of instruction, including a period of at-sea training, in the skills appropriate to the rating of QMED.

(2) Training programs, other than those classified as a school ship, may be substituted for up to one-half of the required service. The service/training ratio for each program is determined by the Coast Guard.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77975, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2021-0097, 89 FR 93101, Nov. 25, 2024]

(a) Before an applicant is issued an endorsement as QMED in the rating of Oiler, Boiler Technician/Watertender, Junior Engineer, Pump Technician/Machinist, or Electrician/Refrigerating Engineer, they must prove, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, by oral or other means of examination, their knowledge of the subjects listed in paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) The examination, whether administered orally or by other means, must be conducted only in the English language.

(c) Table 1 to § 12.505(c) provides a list of subjects required.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77975, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2021-0097, 89 FR 93101, Nov. 25, 2024]