Becoming a U.S. merchant mariner requires specialized training you can only get from certain schools. These schools must be approved by the United States Coast Guard in order to give out endorsements (qualifications) that allow you to work on a ship.

You can either attend schools that are:

• Run by a specific seafarer’s union
• Open to the public

Below is a list of schools and programs offering Coast Guard-certified courses that are open to the public. While there are many different endorsements you can get, these schools offer the basic training and safety courses you’ll need to get started as a merchant mariner.

We try to keep this list up-to-date, but programs are subject to change, and this may represent a partial list. For the most current information, it’s best to contact a program directly.