46 CFR 11.315: STCW Master endorsement for vessels under 500 GT
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the requirements for an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of less than 500 GT (management level). An applicant must show seagoing service, meet the standard of competence in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code, and complete approved training. The section also covers renewal, exemptions and a table for holders of certain national endorsements.
Applies toApplicants for an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of less than 500 GT, and candidates renewing that endorsement.
What it says
An applicant must provide evidence of 36 months of seagoing service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal waters, and/or Great Lakes.
46 CFR 11.315(a)(1)“Provide evidence of 36 months of seagoing service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal waters, and/or Great Lakes”
The 36-month service period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if not less than 12 months of that seagoing service has been served as Chief Mate.
46 CFR 11.315(a)(1)“this period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if not less than 12 months of such seagoing service has been served as Chief Mate”
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.
46 CFR 11.315(a)(1)“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.”
An applicant must provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code, which the text says is incorporated by reference in § 11.102 of this part.
46 CFR 11.315(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)”
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 11.315(b)“each candidate must provide evidence of successful completion of approved training in the following:”
The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from any individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency required in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code, and the credential may then include a corresponding limitation.
46 CFR 11.315(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.”
Common questions
How much sea service do I need for an STCW Master endorsement under 500 GT?
An applicant must provide evidence of 36 months of seagoing service as OICNW. This may be reduced to not less than 24 months if not less than 12 months was served as Chief Mate.
“this period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if not less than 12 months of such seagoing service has been served as Chief Mate”
Can inland service count toward the STCW Master under 500 GT 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.”
Can the Coast Guard exempt me from parts of the STCW Master competence requirements?
Yes. The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from any individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code, and the credential may include a corresponding limitation.
“These exemptions must be approved by the Coast Guard based upon vessel type.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.315
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 less than 500 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 seagoing 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 not less than 12 months of such seagoing service has been served as Chief Mate. 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 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) Search and rescue.
(ii) Management of medical care.
(iii) Leadership and managerial skills.
(iv) ECDIS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
(v) ARPA, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
(vi) GMDSS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
(b) For a renewal of an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of less than 500 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 § 11.315(d)—STCW Endorsement as Master of Vessels of Less Than 500 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 500 GRT None Yes Yes. Master of Towing Vessels oceans or near-coastal None Yes Yes. Master oceans or near-coastal, less than 200 GRT 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.