What is a Marine Chemist?
Definitions
A Marine Chemist is the holder of a valid Certificate issued by the Board of the National Fire Protection Association in accordance with the “Rules for the Certification and Recertification of Marine Chemists” establishing the holder as a person qualified to determine whether construction, alteration, repair, lay-up, or shipbreaking of vessels, which may involve hazards covered by the Standard, can be undertaken with safety.
The Board considers the professional requirements listed below essential for favorable consideration of any application. The Board may consider other professional achievements as equivalent to any or all of the below listed items based on information available at the time of its deliberations.
- Each applicant shall have at least a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. Work shall include the following college level courses intended for science majors:
- Two semesters or three quarters of general inorganic chemistry with labs.
- Two semesters or three quarters of organic chemistry with labs.
- One course in an analytical method with lab.
- One course in industrial hygiene sampling and analysis.
- The education, training, knowledge, and experience of any Marine Chemist applicant shall include, but not be limited to, the following subjects:
- Basic Marine and Shipyard Safety
- Fire Prevention and Emergency Rescue Procedures
- Combustion and Explosion Technology
- Entry into Confined Spaces
- Principles of Gas Freeing and Shipboard Test Procedures
- Tank Cleaning Procedures
- Petroleum Chemistry & Testing of Petroleum Products
- The Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene
- Properties of Flammable and Combustible Materials
- Properties of Toxic Gases, Vapors, and Fumes
- Properties of Hazardous Cargoes and Materials
- Properties of Fumigants and Fumigant Testing
- Properties of Tank Coatings and Preservatives
- Testing for Toxic Gases, Vapors, Fumes, and Residues
- Properties of Liquefied Natural and Petroleum Gases
- Test Instruments and Calibration thereof.
- Procedures for personally determining conditions prior to issuance of a certificate for subsequent work
- Certificate writing including minimum content
- The Applicant shall satisfactorily complete the then current approved Marine Chemist training curriculum in order to substantiate compliance with III. B. above.
- Each applicant shall complete to the Board’s satisfaction an
examination on the Standard and applicable United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, as amended to the date of application, and on any other technically related or appropriate standards, rules, or regulations considered necessary by the Board.
In addition to the professional qualifications set forth in the preceding section:
- Each applicant shall have completed at least six (6) months of supervised training in all tests and inspections required prior to the issuance of a Marine Chemist’s Certificate as required by the Standard. At least three (3) Marine Chemists shall directly supervise this training. The three (3) training supervisors shall not be from the same company or organization.
Each shall supervise at least forty (40) hours of the applicant’s shipboard training required by Section IV.B. hereof. All trainers shall have been certified as a Marine Chemist for at least two (2) years. - Each applicant shall have not less than three hundred (300) hours of supervised training aboard a variety of types of both ocean-going and inland vessels as covered by the Standard. The maximum credit for training in any one type of vessel is ninety (90) hours. In order for credit to be given, however, training in any one type of vessel shall exceed a minimum of thirty (30) hours.
- Each applicant shall have completed at least three years experience, as follows:
- One year or more full-time employment in the analysis of physical
samples similar to those routinely analyzed by Marine Chemists. This
employment is to be in a laboratory or other similar work environment
acceptable to the Board. - The remaining time, but not less than one year, must be in full
time employment in marine construction or repair, or in another marine industrial environment, acceptable to the Board.
- One year or more full-time employment in the analysis of physical
- Each applicant shall have a working knowledge of the construction of all common types of vessels including hull and superstructure compartmentation systems, machinery spaces, cargo handling systems, and piping systems.
- The Board considers the above practical requirements essential for favorable consideration of any application. The Board may consider other professional achievements as equivalent to any or all of the above listed items based on information available at the time of its deliberations.
From: www.nfpa.com