In-Person
Zoom Course
Self-Paced

USCG-Approved Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels Course

Call Sea School today to get scheduled for our Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels bundle. Throughout sixteen (16) day course, mariners will go through trainings for OUPV, Master 100 Ton upgrade, Master 200 Ton upgrade, Inland to Western Rivers and the Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels upgrade.

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Course Overview
01

Sea School’s Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels course bundle consists of five separate courses wrapped together.

The courses include OUPV, Master 100 Ton Upgrade, Master 200 Ton Upgrade, Inland to Western Rivers and the Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels Upgrade. Successful completion of this program and the appropriate USCG requirements will enable mariners to submit to the USCG for their Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels license. Class dates are NOT available online for this bundle as it is 4 individual courses that when purchased together we offer at a discounted price. Our staff will work directly with you to customize a complete class registration for each course to fit your available schedule.

Locations

Bayou La Batre, AL

Location

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Location

There are currently no offsite locations for this course. Please see our main locations!

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Course Data

Train from Anywhere with Sea School Courses – Learn at Your Own Pace

Train on your schedule with Sea School’s self-paced online courses. Designed for flexibility and convenience, our online programs allow you to complete key certifications and knowledge-based training from anywhere, at any time.

course type
In-Person
schedule
certification
Course Data

Call us today to get scheduled for our Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels bundle

Throughout this sixteen (16) day course, mariners will go through trainings for OUPV, Master 100 Ton upgrade, Master 200 Ton upgrade, Inland to Western Rivers and the Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels upgrade.

course type
In-Person
schedule
certification
All classes

Upcoming Zoom Trainings

Join our Captain’s License OUPV course from anywhere with our convenient Zoom sessions. Choose the dates that work best for your schedule and start your journey toward earning your license - without ever leaving home.

No classes available right now.

This Course Has Other Options for Learning

who is it for?

The Right Course for Every Seafarer

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key metrics

Why Thousands of Mariners Choose Sea School?

Each year, over 7,500 students choose Sea School for their maritime training. We offer 30+ USCG-approved courses across in-person, online, and satellite formats, with training available at 6 locations nationwide. Team training is also available on-site or via satellite to meet company needs.

7500
+
Fully educated students per year
30
+
Different courses to choose from
45
+
Years of proven experience
Trusted by Companies Nationwide
Ergon logo
Chicago Dry Dock Logo
Central Marine Logistics Logo
Crescent Towing logo
Dawn service logo
Central boat rentals logo
B logo
Martin marine logo
Ergon logo
Chicago Dry Dock Logo
Central Marine Logistics Logo
Crescent Towing logo
Dawn service logo
Central boat rentals logo
B logo
Martin marine logo
COURSE CURRICULUM

We’ve developed comprehensive, engaging, and practical curriculum to set you up for success on the water

While the curriculum represented on the Sea School website is a general layout of course information, it is not the exact order in which lessons are taught.

OUPV
OUPV
Master 100 Ton Upgrade
Master 100 Ton Upgrade
Master 200 Ton Upgrade
Master 200 Ton Upgrade
Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels
Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels
Inland to Western River Routes for Towing Vessels
Inland to Western River Routes for Towing Vessels
our team

The Instructors Behind the Course

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view all Instructors
Our Process
Your Path to Becoming a Licensed Captain:

A Simple 3-Step Process to Get Certified and Start Your Maritime Career

01

Choose Your Course

Pick the course that fits your experience level and sea time and select the available format that works for you (in-person, Zoom, or online).

02

Enroll & Prepare

Register online or at a Sea School location. Ensure you meet eligibility requirements and start reviewing the provided study materials.

03

Get Certified

After finishing the course, you will need to submit your application to the Coast Guard to receive your Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

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Career opportunities

Advance your Maritime Career

Person in safety gear
01

Barge foreman

Person in safety gear
01

Line-Haul Towing Operator

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Towing Vessel Deckhand

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Fleet Mate

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Fleet Captain

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Dredge Tender

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Dredge Tow Operator

Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

Amazing across the board!

Shone H.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Very good experience.

George J.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Well done!

David C.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Nice & helpful office staff.

Very helpful instructor. Excellent accommodations.

Alfonso L.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Everything was excellent.

Dylan B.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Thank you! I appreciate everything.

Trevan B.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Super sweet office staff.

Instructor stories keep you entertained and he knows his stuff! Chef is great. More cookies!

Austin C.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Awesome office staff.

Awesome classroom. Awesome instructor. Awesome course. Awesome food. Awesome accommodations.

Ryan A.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Accommodations were perfect.

The cleaning staff do an amazing job.

Robert D.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Office staff was great.

Pat did an excellent job and I loved his stories. As always, eggs were fantastic.

John C.

Bayou La Batre, AL
Course comparison

Course Comparison

features
OUPV (6-Pack) License
Master License
Passenger Limit
Up to 6 passengers
More than 6 passengers
Vessel Type
Uninspected vessels only
Inspected & Uninspected vessels
Area of Operation
U.S. Waters
U.S. & International Waters
Sea Service Requirement
360 days (90 in last 3 years)
720+ days (varies by tonnage)
Required for
Fishing guides, small boat charters
Ferries, tour boats, larger charters
Course requirements

Apprentice Mate Bundle Requirements: Everything You Need to Get Certified

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum Age:

  • Must be 18 years old

Citizenship Status:

  • Must be US Citizen for AMS

Sea Service Requirement

Total Sea Service:

  • 540 days of total sea service in any position or department

Specialized Service Requirements:

  • 360 days must be on a towing vessel
  • 90 days must be on the specific route for which the endorsement is requested
  • Must pass exams for the particular routes requested

Recency Requirement:

  • 90 days of sea service within the past 3 years on any vessel or tonnage

Medical & Drug Testing Requirements

Medical Exam (Form CG-719K):

  • A valid USCG physical is required
  • Physicals available at most Sea School brick-and-mortar locations

Drug Test & Consortium Membership:

  • Required for licensing
  • Sea School provides access to APCA, a USCG-approved drug consortium
  • Sign up at apcadrugtesting.com or call (727) 522-2727

Check All Drug Testing Requirements on Our Website!

View Website
View Website
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Safety & First Aid Certifications

First Aid Certification:

  • Must be completed within the last year

CPR Certification:

  • Must be valid at the time of application

Keep in Mind:

  • A valid STCW Basic Training (BT) certification satisfies both First Aid and CPR requirements

Application & Licensing Process

Mariner Fees:

  • Must be paid as part of the credentialing process
frequently asked questions

All the answers you’ll need before enrolling in the AMS license course

What is an Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels?

An Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels, formerly referred to as Apprentice Mate Steersman, is an endorsement on a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). It allows endorsement holders to work as an apprentice mate on various towing vessels and gain the necessary experience to advance to a mate pilot or master of towing vessels with further sea time and coursework.

Where can I find approved Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels Courses?

The Sea School offers an Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels upgrade course at our Bayou La Batre, AL location. You can also find a list of approved courses on the NMC website under the “Approved Courses” tab.

What are the Requirements for an Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels?
  • Age: 18 years of age or older
  • Physical Exam: Physical that satisfies the Form CG-719K
    • We offer physicals at most of our brick and mortar locations
  • Drug Testing: Consortium membership / drug test compliance
    • Sea School has its own USCG drug consortium, APCA. Interested students can sign up for a drug test/consortium membership at apcadrugtesting.com or by calling (727) 522-2727
  • Citizenship: US Citizenship is required
  • Mariner Fees: Mariner Fees
  • Sea Service: 
    • 540 days of total sea service, in any position or department, OF WHICH:
      • 360 days on towing vessel AND
      • 90 days must be on the particular route requested AND
      • Pass exams for particular routes
    • Recency: 90 days of sea service in the past 3 years on any vessel or tonnage
  • First Aid*: Completed within one year
  • CPR*: Must be valid and completed within one year
  • *Valid STCW BT meets both First Aid and CPR requirements
How long is an Apprentice Mate license valid for?

Like other MMC endorsements, an Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels endorsement is valid for 5 years.

Are there specific tonnage limitations associated with the Apprentice Mate endorsement?

There is no tonnage limitation on an endorsement for towing vessels.

If I do not hold a Captain’s License, can I still get an Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels endorsement?

The Sea School offers a 18-day bundled package to enable mariners to receive an Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels endorsement on their MMC. Additionally, mariners who meet the required sea service may also qualify to apply for OUPV, Master 100 GRT, and Mate 200 GRT endorsements.

Is the Apprentice Mate Course Completion Certificate I Receive after Passing the Class my Official Endorsement?

No. Only the USCG can issue official documentation and certifications. To obtain an official STCW certification, mariners must:

  • Complete the necessary forms and requirements.
  • Submit both the Sea School Course Completion Certificate and USCG application form to the USCG.
NOTE - Because this course is a bundle, you must submit all course completion certificates and materials to the USCG to ensure you receive your licenses and endorsements in a timely manner.

The USCG then processes the application and issues the official certification. This bundle is a combination of separate courses and ALL certificates must be sent to the USCG with the application to qualify for Apprentice Mate of towing vessels

It’s Time to Start Your Maritime Career!

Helping thousands of mariners every year, Sea School is a leader in the maritime education space. Whether you are new to the industry or looking to add onto your Merchant Mariner Credential, find the courses right for you at Sea School.

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