46 CFR 11.311: STCW Master endorsement, 500 GT to under 3,000 GT
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets out what an applicant must show to get an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of 500 GT or more and less than 3,000 GT. The applicant must show sea service, meet the standard of competence, and complete approved training. It also covers renewal, exemptions and entry from certain national endorsements.
Applies toApplicants for an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of 500 GT or more and less than 3,000 GT (management level).
What it says
An applicant must provide evidence of 36 months of service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal waters, and/or Great Lakes.
46 CFR 11.311(a)(1)“Provide evidence of 36 months of service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal waters, and/or Great Lakes.”
The service period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if the applicant served as Chief Mate for not less than 12 months.
46 CFR 11.311(a)(1)“However, this period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if the applicant served as Chief Mate for not less than 12 months.”
An applicant must provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code, which is incorporated by reference as described in § 11.102 of this part.
46 CFR 11.311(a)(2)“Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 11.102 of this part); and”
An applicant must provide evidence of satisfactorily completing approved training in the listed subject areas, including advanced ship handling, advanced stability and search and rescue.
46 CFR 11.311(a)(3)“Provide evidence of having satisfactorily completed approved training in the following subject areas:”
For a renewal to be valid on or after January 1, 2017, each candidate must provide evidence of approved training in leadership and managerial skills, and in ECDIS if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
46 CFR 11.311(b)“each candidate must provide evidence of successful completion of approved training in the following:”
The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency items in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code. The credential may then include a corresponding limitation.
46 CFR 11.311(c)“The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from meeting any individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency required in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code.”
Seafarers with certain national officer endorsements may apply once they complete the requirements in the table in paragraph (d).
46 CFR 11.311(d)“Seafarers with one of the following national officer endorsements are eligible to apply for this endorsement upon completion of the requirements in the following table:”
Common questions
How much sea service do I need for an STCW Master endorsement under 3,000 GT?
The applicant must provide evidence of 36 months of service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal waters, and/or Great Lakes. This may be reduced to not less than 24 months with at least 12 months as Chief Mate.
“However, this period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if the applicant served as Chief Mate for not less than 12 months.”
Can inland service count toward the Master STCW service requirement?
Yes. Service on inland waters, bays, or sounds that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service.
“Service on inland waters, bays, or sounds that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service.”
What training is required to renew an STCW Master endorsement for vessels of 500 GT to under 3,000 GT?
For a renewal to be valid on or after January 1, 2017, the candidate must show approved training in leadership and managerial skills, and in ECDIS if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
“For a renewal of an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of 500 GT or more and less than 3,000 GT to be valid on or after January 1, 2017”
Can the Coast Guard exempt me from part of the STCW competence standard?
Yes. The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from any individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code, based upon vessel type.
“These exemptions must be approved by the Coast Guard based upon vessel type.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.311
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of October 1, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of 500 GT or more and less than 3,000 GT (management level)
Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 60882, Sept. 25, 2026.
(a) To qualify for an STCW endorsement as Master, an applicant must—
(1) Provide evidence of 36 months of service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal waters, and/or Great Lakes. However, this period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if the applicant served as Chief Mate for not less than 12 months. Service on inland waters, bays, or sounds that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 3 months of the service requirements;
(2) Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 11.102 of this part); and
(3) Provide evidence of having satisfactorily completed approved training in the following subject areas:
(i) Advanced ship handling.
(ii) Advanced stability.
(iii) Advanced meteorology.
(iv) Leadership and managerial skills.
(v) Search and rescue.
(vi) Management of medical care.
(vii) ECDIS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
(viii) ARPA, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
(ix) GMDSS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
(b) For a renewal of an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of 500 GT or more and less than 3,000 GT to be valid on or after January 1, 2017, each candidate must provide evidence of successful completion of approved training in the following:
(1) Leadership and managerial skills.
(2) ECDIS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
(c) The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from meeting any individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency required in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code. These exemptions must be approved by the Coast Guard based upon vessel type. Under these circumstances, the credential may include a corresponding limitation.
(d) Seafarers with one of the following national officer endorsements are eligible to apply for this endorsement upon completion of the requirements in the following table:
Table 1 to § 11.311(d)—STCW Endorsement as Master of Vessels of 500 GT or More and Less Than 3,000 GT Entry path from national endorsements Sea service under authority of the endorsement 1 Competence—STCW Table A-II/2 2 Training required by this section 3 Master oceans or near-coastal, less than 1,600 GRT None Yes Yes. Master OSV None Yes Yes. Master oceans or near-coastal, less than 500 GRT 12 months Yes Yes. Master of Towing Vessels oceans or near-coastal 12 months Yes Yes. 1 This column provides the minimum additional service required of the seafarer in order to meet the requirements of this section. 2 Complete any items in paragraph (a)(2) of this section not previously satisfied. 3 Complete any items in paragraph (a)(3) of this section not previously satisfied.
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of October 1, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.