(a) General. Every person fulfilling the manning requirements for Lifeboat Operator on any United States vessel fitted with liferafts, but not fitted with lifeboats, must hold an endorsement as Lifeboat Operator or as Lifeboat Operator-Limited. No endorsement as Lifeboat Operator or Lifeboat Operator-Limited is required of any person employed on any unrigged vessel, except on a seagoing barge and on a tank barge navigating waters other than rivers and/or canals.

(b) Requirements for certification. (1) To qualify for an endorsement as Lifeboat Operator-Limited, an applicant must—

(i) Be at least 18 years of age;

(ii) Pass the prescribed physical and medical examination requirements specified in 46 CFR part 10, subpart C; and

(iii) Provide evidence of having passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs or of having qualified for an exemption for testing, as described in § 16.220 of this subchapter.

(2) An applicant, to be eligible for an endorsement as Lifeboat Operator-Limited, must meet one of the following sea service requirements:

(i) At least 12 months of sea service in any department of vessels on ocean, coastwise, inland, and Great Lakes routes.

(ii) At least 6 months of sea service in any department of vessels, and successful completion of an approved course.

(3) Before an applicant is issued an endorsement as a Lifeboat Operator-Limited, they must prove, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, by oral or other means of examination, and by actual practical demonstration of abilities, their knowledge of seamanship and ability to carry out effectively all the duties that may be required of a Lifeboat Operator-Limited.

(4) The practical demonstration must consist of a demonstration of the applicant's ability to—

(i) Take charge of a rescue boat, liferaft, or other lifesaving apparatus during and after launch;

(ii) Operate a rescue boat engine;

(iii) Manage a survival craft and survivors after abandoning ship;

(iv) Safely recover rescue boats; and

(v) Use locating and communication devices.

(5) The examination, whether administered orally or by other means, must be conducted only in the English language and must consist of questions regarding—

(i) Liferafts, rescue boats, and other survival craft except lifeboats, the names of their essential parts, and a description and use of the required equipment;

(ii) The clearing away, launching, and handling of rescue craft, except lifeboats; and

(iii) The operation and functions of commonly used launching devices for rescue boats and survival craft other than lifeboats.

(6) An applicant, to be eligible for an endorsement as Lifeboat Operator-Limited, must be able to speak and understand the English language as would be required in the rating of Lifeboat Operator-Limited and in an emergency aboard ship.