Ref:	Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (46 CFR), Section 10.205(i) Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (46 CFR), Section 10.910

1. PURPOSE. This policy letter provides guidance to the Regional Examination Centers about amending the format of the examinations it administers for certain deck and engine licenses in order to comply with the STCW. These changes will take effect on February 1, 2002.
2. ACTION. Commanding officers of units with marine safety responsibilities should bring this policy letter to the attention of the maritime industry with interests in marine personnel issues and to institutions that offer U. S. Coast Guard approved training. This policy letter will be distributed by electronic means only. It is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.uscg.mil/STCW/m-policy.htm.
3. BACKGROUND. The 1995 amendments to the STCW require that candidates for deck officers and engineering officers qualify for a certificate at the "operational level" and "management level". The former scheme of licensing examinations as part of the mariner qualifying process has been changed to reflect the implementation of STCW.
4. DISCUSSION. The structure of the new license exams will affect the following licenses and is specified in enclosures (1) through (8).

DECK

Third Mate Any Gross Registered Tons Oceans & Near Coastal

Second Mate Any Gross Registered Tons Oceans & Near Coastal

Chief Mate Any Gross Registered Tons Oceans & Near Coastal

Master Any Gross Registered Tons Oceans & Near Coastal

Mate Not More Than 500/1600 Gross Registered Tons Oceans & Near Coastal

Master Not More Than 500/1600 Gross Registered Tons Oceans & Near Coastal

Mate Offshore Supply Vessels Oceans & Near Coastal

Master Offshore Supply Vessels Oceans & Near Coastal

ENGINE

Third Assistant Engineer Unlimited

Second Assistant Engineer Unlimited

First Assistant Engineer Unlimited

Chief Engineer Unlimited

1. Mariners who commence an examination cycle before February 1, 2002, will be permitted to complete one examination cycle under the prior examination scheme. If a mariner does not successfully complete the examination process within this one cycle, they will be re-examined under the new examination scheme set forth herein. An examination "cycle" consists of the complete original examination and permitted re-takes of failed modules.
2. Mariners who have obtained their license under the prior license examination scheme will be permitted to upgrade their license under the old license examination scheme until January 31, 2007. On or after January 31, 2007, the mariner will take the appropriate exam under the new license examination scheme. For example, a mariner who obtains a Third Assistant Engineer license under the old scheme will be administered the former exam modules for Second Assistant Engineer until January 31, 2007. After that date, they will take the new Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch exam described in enclosure (7).