🔍 Key Concepts

• Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) general validity period in 46 CFR Part 10 • How officer endorsements for towing vessels are treated compared to other officer endorsements • Difference between an endorsement that is valid for a set term vs something that is temporary or project‑specific

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: Is an apprentice mate (steersman) of towing vessels a full MMC officer endorsement, or some kind of short‑term training document? • Think about what you know for other officer-level credentials (like Mate or Master). Are they typically valid for just 2–3 years, or longer? • Consider whether the wording “must be renewed” helps you decide between a standard MMC validity period and something unusual.

✅ Before You Answer

• Look up the standard validity period for most Merchant Mariner Credentials in 46 CFR Part 10 (General Requirements) before answering. • Confirm whether an apprentice mate (steersman) of towing vessels appears as an officer endorsement under the same validity rules as other officer endorsements. • Make sure the time period you choose matches the usual MMC endorsement term, not the duration of a training program or company policy.