Regulations last checked for updates: Jun 01, 2024

Title 46 - Shipping last revised: May 28, 2024
§ 11.901 - General provisions.

(a) Where required by § 11.903 of this subpart, each applicant for an endorsement listed in that section must pass an examination on the appropriate subjects listed in this subpart.

(b) If the endorsement is to be limited in a manner that would render any of the subject matter unnecessary or inappropriate, the examination may be amended accordingly by the Coast Guard. Limitations that may affect the examination content are as follows:

(1) Restricted routes for reduced service officer endorsements (master or mate of vessels of less than 200 GRT, OUPV, or master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels).

(2) Limitations to a certain class or classes of vessels.

(c) Simulators used in assessments of competence required by subpart C of this part must meet the appropriate performance standards set out in Section A-I/12 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 11.102 of this part). However, simulators installed or brought into use before February 1, 2002, need not meet these performance standards if they fulfill the objective of the assessment of competence or demonstration of proficiency.

§ 11.903 - Officer endorsements requiring examinations.

(a) The following officer endorsements require examinations for issuance:

(1) Chief mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage (examined at the management level).

(2) Third mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage (examined at the operational level).

(3) Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT.

(4) Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT.

(5) Master of near-coastal vessels less than 200 GRT.

(6) Mate of near-coastal vessels less than 200 GRT.

(7) Master of near-coastal vessels less than 100 GRT.

(8) Mate of near-coastal vessels less than 100 GRT.

(9) Master of Great Lakes and inland vessels of unlimited tonnage.

(10) Mate of Great Lakes and inland vessels of unlimited tonnage.

(11) Master of inland vessels of unlimited tonnage.

(12) Master of river vessels of unlimited tonnage.

(13) Master of Great Lakes and inland/river vessels less than 500 GRT or less than 1,600 GRT.

(14) Mate of Great Lakes and inland/river vessels less than 500 GRT or less than 1,600 GRT.

(15) Master of Great Lakes and inland/river vessels less than 200 GRT.

(16) Mate of Great Lakes and inland/river vessels less than 200 GRT.

(17) Master of Great Lakes and inland/river vessels less than 100 GRT.

(18) First-class pilot.

(19) Apprentice mate (steersman) of towing vessels.

(20) Apprentice mate (steersman) of towing vessels, limited.

(21) Offshore Installation Manager.

(22) Barge Supervisor.

(23) Ballast Control Operator.

(24) Operator of uninspected passenger vessels.

(25) Master of uninspected fishing industry vessels.

(26) Mate of uninspected fishing industry vessels.

(27) Master (OSV).

(28) Chief mate (OSV).

(29) Mate (OSV).

(30) First assistant engineer (limited or unlimited propulsion power).

(31) Third assistant engineer (limited or unlimited propulsion power).

(32) Chief engineer (limited) steam/motor vessels.

(33) Assistant engineer (limited) steam/motor vessels.

(34) Designated duty engineer steam/motor vessels.

(35) Chief engineer (uninspected fishing industry vessels).

(36) Assistant engineer (uninspected fishing industry vessels).

(37) Chief engineer (MODU).

(38) Assistant engineer (MODU).

(39) Chief engineer (OSV).

(40) Assistant engineer (OSV).

(b) In paragraphs (a)(1) through (4), and (a)(6), (7), (15), and (16) of this section, examinations will vary depending on route desired.

(c) The following officer endorsements do not require examinations:

(1) Master of oceans or near-coastal vessels of unlimited tonnage when upgrading from MMC officer endorsements, or a license as chief mate of oceans or near-coastal vessels of unlimited tonnage, provided the applicant has already been examined at the management level.

(2) Master of oceans or near-coastal vessels of unlimited tonnage when adding an endorsement as offshore installation manager (OIM).

(3) Master of oceans or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT, when upgrading from mate of near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT. Master of oceans self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT would, however, require an examination in celestial navigation.

(4) Second mate of oceans or near-coastal vessels when upgrading from third mate of oceans or near-coastal vessels, provided the applicant has already been examined at the operational level.

(5) Master of Great Lakes and inland vessels, or river vessels of less than 200 GRT when upgrading from mate of less than 200 GRT on the same route.

(6) Chief engineer unlimited, provided the applicant has already been examined at the management level.

(7) Chief engineer limited to service on steam, motor, or gas turbine-propelled vessels of less than 10,000 HP/7,500 kW on near-coastal routes, provided the applicant has already been examined at the management level.

(8) Chief engineer limited to service on steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels of less than 4,000 HP/3,000 kW on near-coastal routes, provided the applicant has already been examined at the management level.

(9) Second assistant engineer when upgrading from third assistant engineer, provided the applicant has already been examined at the operational level.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77909, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58277, Sept. 29, 2014]
§ 11.910 - Subjects for deck officer endorsements.

Table 1 to § 11.910 gives the codes used in Table 2 to § 11.910 for all deck officers. Table 2 to § 11.910 indicates the examination subjects for each endorsement, by code number. Figures in the body of Table 2 to § 11.910, in place of the letter “x”, refer to notes.

Table 1 to § 11.910—Codes for Deck Officer Endorsements

Deck Officer Endorsements
1. Master/chief mate, oceans/near-coastal, unlimited tonnage.
2. Master, oceans/near-coastal, less than 500 GRT and less than 1,600 GRT.
3. Second mate/third mate, oceans/near-coastal, unlimited tonnage, and mate less than 500 GRT and less than 1600 GRT, oceans/near-coastal.
4. Master, oceans/near-coastal, and mate, near-coastal, less than 200 GRT (includes master, near-coastal, less than 100 GRT).
5. Operator, uninspected passenger vessels, near-coastal.
6. Operator, uninspected passenger vessels, Great Lakes/inland.
7. Apprentice mate, towing vessels, ocean (domestic trade) and near-coastal routes.
8. Apprentice mate (steersman), towing vessels, Great Lakes, and inland routes.
9. Steersman, towing vessels, Western Rivers.
10. Master, Great Lakes/inland, or master, inland, unlimited tonnage.
11. Mate, Great Lakes/inland, unlimited tonnage.
12. Master, Great Lakes/inland, less than 500 GRT and less than 1,600 GRT.
13. Mate, Great Lakes/inland, less than 500 GRT and less than 1,600 GRT.
14. Master or mate, Great Lakes/inland, less than 200 GRT (includes master, Great Lakes/inland, less than 100 GRT).
15. Master, rivers, unlimited tonnage.
16. Master, rivers, less than 500 GRT and less than 1,600 GRT.
17. Mate, rivers, less than 500 GRT and less than 1,600 GRT.
18. Master or mate, rivers, less than 200 GRT (includes master, rivers, less than 100 GRT).
19. Master, uninspected fishing industry vessels, oceans/near-coastal.
20. Mate, uninspected fishing industry vessels, oceans/near-coastal.
21. First-class pilot.
22. Master (OSV).
23. Chief mate (OSV).
24. Mate (OSV).
[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77909, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58277, Sept. 29, 2014]
§ 11.920 - Subjects for MODU endorsements.

Table 1 to § 11.920 gives the codes used in Table 2 to § 11.920 for MODU endorsements. Table 2 to § 11.920 indicates the examination subjects for each endorsement by the code number.

Table 1 to § 11.920—Codes for MODU Endorsements

1. OIM/Unrestricted.
2. OIM/Surface Units Underway.
3. OIM/Surface Units on Location.
4. OIM/Bottom Bearing Units Underway.
5. OIM/Bottom Bearing Units on Location.
6. Barge Supervisor.
7. Ballast Control Operator.

Table 2 to § 11.920—Subjects for MODU Licenses

Examination topics 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Watchkeeping:
COLREGSXXXX
“Basic Principles for Navigational Watch”XXXXXX
MODU obstruction lightsXXXX
Meteorology and oceanography:
Synoptic chart weather forecastingXXXXXX
Characteristics of weather systemsXXXXXXX
Ocean current systemsXXXXXX
Tide and tidal current publicationsXXXXXX
Stability, ballasting, construction and damage control:
Principles of ship construction, structural membersXXXXXXX
Trim and stabilityXXXXXXX
Damaged trim and stability countermeasuresXXXXXX
Stability and trim calculationsXXXXXX
Load line requirementsXXXXXXX
Operating manual:
Rig characteristics and limitationsXXXXXXX
Hydrostatics dataXXXXXX
Tank tablesXXXXXXX
KG limitationsXXXXXX
Severe storm instructionsXXXXXXX
Transit instructionsXXXXX
On-station instructionsXXXXX
Unexpected list or trimXXXXXX
Ballasting proceduresXXXXX
Operation of bilge systemXXXXXX
Leg loading calculationsXXX
Completion of variable load formXXXXXXX
Evaluation of variable load formXXXXXXX
Emergency proceduresXXXXXXX
Maneuvering and handling:
Anchoring and anchor handlingXXXX
Heavy weather operationsXXXXXXX
Mooring, positioningXXXXXX
Moving, positioningXXXX
Fire prevention and firefighting appliances:
Organization of fire drillsXXXXXXX
Classes and chemistry of fireXXXXXXX
Firefighting systemsXXXXXXX
Firefighting equipment and regulationsXXXXXXX
Basic firefighting and prevention of firesXXXXXXX
Emergency procedures and contingency plans:
Temporary repairsXXXXX
Fire or explosionXXXXXXX
Abandon unitXXXXXXX
Man overboardXXXXXXX
Heavy weatherXXXXXXX
CollisionXXXXXXX
Failure of ballast control systemXXXXX
Mooring emergenciesXXXX
BlowoutsXXXXX
H2S safetyXXXXX
General Engineering—Power plants and auxiliary systems:
Marine engineering terminologyXXXXXXX
Engineering equipment, operations and failuresXXXXXX
Offshore drilling operationsX
Deck seamanship—general:
Transfer of personnelXXXXXX
Support boats/helicoptersXXXXXX
Cargo stowage and securingXXXXXX
Hazardous materials/dangerous goods precautionsXXXXXX
Mooring equipmentXXXXXX
Crane use procedures and inspectionsXXXXXX
Medical care:
Knowledge and use of:
First aidXXXXXXX
First response medical actionXXXXXXX
Maritime law and regulation:
National maritime law:
Certification and documentation of vesselsXXXXX
Ship sanitationXXXXX
Regulations for vessel inspectionXXXXX
Pollution prevention regulationsXXXXXXX
Credentialing regulationsXXXXX
Rules and regulations for MODUsXXXXXX
International Maritime law:
International Maritime OrganizationXXXXX
International Convention on Load LinesXXXXX
MARPOL 73/78XXXXX
Personnel Management and Training:
Ship's business including:
Required logs and recordkeepingXXXXXX
Casualty reports and recordsXXXXX
Communications:
Radio communications and FCC permitXXXXXX
Radiotelephone proceduresXXXXXX
Lifesaving/Survival:
Lifesaving appliance operation (launching, boat handling)XXXXXXX
Procedures/rules for lifeboats, survival suits, personal flotation devices (PFDs), life rafts and emergency signalsXXXXXXX
Emergency radio transmissionsXXXXXXX
Survival at seaXXXXXXX
§ 11.950 - Examination subjects for engineer officer endorsements.

Table 1 to § 11.950 gives the codes used in Table 2 to § 11.950 for engineer officer endorsements. Table 2 to § 11.950 indicates the examination subjects for each endorsement by the code number.

Table 1 to § 11.950—Codes for Engineer Officer Endorsements

1. First assistant engineer (unlimited).
2. Third assistant engineer (unlimited).
3. Chief engineer (limited).
4. Assistant engineer (limited).
5. Designated duty engineer (unlimited).
6. Designated duty engineer (4,000 HP).
7. Designated duty engineer (1,000 HP).
8. Chief engineer (uninspected fishing industry vessels).
9. Assistant engineer (uninspected fishing industry vessels).
10. Chief engineer (MODU).
11. Assistant engineer (MODU).
12. Chief engineer (OSV unlimited).
13. Assistant engineer (OSV unlimited).
14. Chief engineer (OSV 4,000 HP).
15. Assistant engineer (OSV 4,000 HP).
authority: 14 U.S.C. 503; 3
source: USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77909, Dec. 24, 2013, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 46 CFR 11.950