Earn your DDE. Without losing a single rotation.

The Designated Duty Engineer 1,000 to 4,000 HP credential, delivered 100% online and approved by the United States Coast Guard. Built for working mariners by a credentialed Chief Engineer.

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The Industry · The Reality

You ship for a living. School shouldn’t ship you across the country.

Full USCG curriculum. No shortcuts.

The same content the U.S. Coast Guard requires, structured for mariners who already know the engine room and need the credential to match the work.

Diesel Engine Theory & Operation

Combustion principles, four-stroke and two-stroke cycles, fuel injection systems, lubrication, cooling, starting and reversing.

Auxiliary Machinery

Pumps, compressors, purifiers, separators, refrigeration, HVAC, hydraulics. The systems that keep the boat running.

Electrical Systems

Generators, switchboards, motor controls, circuit protection, troubleshooting. Reading schematics and acting on them.

Watchkeeping & Operations

Standing engine room watch, log-keeping, fuel and lube oil management, response to alarms, communication with the bridge.

Safety & Emergency Response

Firefighting in engineering spaces, flooding response, fuel spill containment, emergency shutdown procedures, PPE.

Regulations & Documentation

USCG, IMO, MARPOL, SOLAS regulations as they apply to the engineer. ORB and oil record book entries done right.

Built by a Chief

A Chief Engineer wrote every module.

Not a course designer who never went to sea. Not an academic who hasn’t held a wrench in a decade. The DDE curriculum at BMT was authored by a credentialed Chief Engineer with active sea time, who designed it the way they wished it had been designed when they sat for the credential.

That shows up in the lessons. The examples come from real engine rooms. The tricky parts get the attention they deserve. The boring parts don’t get padded.

USCG · Verified · Approved

The only 100% online DDE 1,000 to 4,000 HP course in America.

You can verify our USCG approval directly on the National Maritime Center’s website. We don’t ask you to trust us. We ask you to check the source.

USCG Approved Provider

NMC Recognized

Same Credential as Brick-and-Mortar

BEMART-156

USCG Approved · Enrolling Now

Exclusive · Only Online Option in the U.S.

Designated Duty Engineer · 1,000 to 4,000 HP

Move up to DDE without missing a rotation. Same credential as in-person school. Same USCG approval. Built for the engineer who’s already turning wrenches and just needs the credential to match the work.

What’s included

Complete USCG-approved curriculum (39 modules)
Module quizzes and final examinations
Online proctored examinations through SmarterServices
Self-paced learning with 1 year of course access
Course completion certificate issued upon successful completion
Credentialing assistance available through partner MM-Seas

Duration

1 Year to Complete

Format

100% Online

Pace

Self-Paced

Approval Number

BEMART-156

Travel Required

None

pricing

$3000

Financing Available

In-House Financing

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USCG Course Approval

Any applicant who successfully completes Beacon Maritime Training’s Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) 1000/4000 Horsepower (BEMART-156) course within one year of submitting a complete application will:

Satisfy the professional examination requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(j) for a national officer endorsement as Designated Duty Engineer Less Than 4,000 HP Motor under 46 CFR 11.524

Receive 45 days of sea service credit applicable toward service requirements of 46 CFR 11.524(b)(1) for a credential as Designated Duty Engineer of Motor Propelled Vessels of Unlimited Horsepower

Important: This course does not satisfy any STCW competency or training. Application of this course for endorsement may be used for only one transaction.

Equipment & Internet Requirements

A smartphone, tablet, or computer is needed to work through the course.

The following are the minimum computer requirements for examination:

Desktop or laptop computer (Mac or Windows-based PC). Chromebooks are also acceptable.
Windows PCs require a minimum of Windows 7.
Macs require a minimum of macOS 10.10.
Minimum Recommended Speeds:
- Internet 1 Mbps – Download
- Internet 1 Mbps – Upload
Google Chrome web browser, version 74 or higher.
Web camera (final exams only).
Microphone (final exams only).

Examination Requirements

Students must pass all three exams:

Safety and Environmental: 50 Questions, 70% to pass
Generals: 50 Questions, 70% to pass
Motor Propulsion: 50 Questions, 70% to pass
3 attempts allowed per exam

All exams are conducted online in partnership with our proctoring provider, SmarterServices.

Sea Service Requirements

Applicants must meet USCG sea service and endorsement qualification requirements for DDE 4000 (46 CFR 11.534).

Questions Before You Enroll

If you’re skeptical about online USCG approval, you’re not alone. Here are the answers to what every mariner asks before enrolling.

If I take this course, do I still have to sit the USCG-administered DDE written exam?

Completing BEMART-156 within one year of your application date satisfies the professional examination requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(j) for original issuance of the Designated Duty Engineer Less Than 4,000 HP Motor national endorsement under 46 CFR 11.524. The three proctored exams built into the course are the examination. You are not sitting a separate USCG test on top of this.

The course mentions two outcomes: the DDE endorsement or 45 days of sea service credit. Which one applies to me?

Which outcome applies depends entirely on which credential you are working toward. If you are pursuing the original issuance of the DDE Less Than 4,000 HP Motor endorsement and you meet the sea service requirements, the course satisfies the examination requirement for that credential. If your goal is the Designated Duty Engineer of Motor Propelled Vessels of Unlimited Horsepower, the course awards 45 days of sea service credit toward that larger credential instead. One certificate can only be applied to one credentialing transaction, so be clear on your path before you submit your NMC application.

What sea service do I need before this course counts toward my DDE endorsement?

Sea service requirements for the DDE endorsement are set by the USCG under 46 CFR 11.524 and are entirely separate from this course. Completing the course covers the professional examination requirement. It does not satisfy or replace your sea service documentation. Before submitting your NMC application, verify that your documented sea service meets the checklist requirements. The link is on the course page, and if you have any doubt about whether your time qualifies, reach out to us or contact the NMC directly before enrolling. It is worth confirming upfront.

What happens if I don’t pass one of the three proctored exams on my first attempt?

Each exam allows up to three attempts, and a failed attempt on one does not affect your standing in the others or reset your progress in the course material. The three exams cover Safety and Environmental Protection, General Subjects, and Motor Propulsion. Our instructor support is available throughout your enrollment, and most students who use it between attempts come through comfortably. If you exhaust all three attempts on a specific exam, reach out to us directly and we will work through your options with you.

Can I realistically do this course while I’m actively sailing?

We built this course specifically for mariners who cannot step off a vessel for weeks to sit in a classroom. All material, including workbooks, videos, and quizzes, is accessible from any device with a basic internet connection, which means off-watch time counts as study time. The proctored exams require a webcam, microphone, and Google Chrome, all of which most modern devices already support. Several students in our reviews finished it on rotation at sea, from the boat, and between trips.

After I finish the course, what’s the actual process for getting my endorsement and how long does it take?

Once you complete all three exams and receive your completion certificate, you submit it as part of your standard USCG NMC credential application alongside your sea service documentation, medical certificate, and other required materials. NMC processing times vary and current turnaround estimates are published on their website. Keep in mind that your course certificate is valid for one year from the date you submit your complete application to the NMC, not from when you finish the course. Plan your submission timing accordingly.

Can I use this same course certificate again for a future upgrade or second endorsement?

The USCG approval for BEMART-156 limits the certificate to a single credentialing transaction. Once it has been applied toward an endorsement, it cannot be reused. If you later pursue a related credential where this course would normally apply, you would need to re-enroll and complete it again under a new application. That restriction comes from the USCG approval structure, not from anything on our end.

Final Word

Upgrade on Your Next Hitch. Start Studying Off-Watch Today.

Enroll today. Start today. Walk back on the boat with the credential that moves you up the pay grade.

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