46 CFR 11.404: Service for unlimited ocean Master endorsement
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the minimum service needed for an endorsement as Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage. It gives Chief Mate routes and a route for holders of Great Lakes and inland or inland Master endorsements. It also points to § 11.305 for an STCW endorsement.
Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage.
What it says
An applicant may qualify with one year of service as Chief Mate on ocean self-propelled vessels.
46 CFR 11.404(a)(1)“One year of service as Chief Mate on ocean self-propelled vessels; or”
An applicant who holds an MMC endorsement as Chief Mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage may instead qualify with 12 months of service on deck, including a minimum of 6 months as Chief Mate.
46 CFR 11.404(a)(2)“While holding an MMC endorsement as Chief Mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage, 12 months of service on deck as follows:”
Under the (a)(2) route, service as Second Mate, Third Mate, or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) is accepted on a two-for-one basis. The text gives this example: 12 months as OICNW equals 6 months of creditable service.
46 CFR 11.404(a)(2)(ii)“accepted on a two-for-one basis (12 months as OICNW equals 6 months of creditable service).”
A holder of a Master endorsement of Great Lakes and inland, or of inland, self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage may obtain this endorsement by providing evidence of sea service of not less than 24 months under the credential and completing the prescribed examination in subpart I of this part.
46 CFR 11.404(b)“by providing evidence of sea service of not less than 24 months under the authority of the credential and by completing the prescribed examination in subpart I of this part.”
Service on the Great Lakes is credited day-for-day, up to 100 percent of the total required service.
46 CFR 11.404(b)(1)“Service on the Great Lakes will be credited on a day-for-day basis up to 100 percent of the total required service.”
Service on inland waters other than the Great Lakes that are navigable waters of the United States is credited day-for-day for up to 50 percent of the total required service.
46 CFR 11.404(b)(2)“will be credited on a day-for-day basis for up to 50 percent of the total required service.”
Service on vessels to which STCW applies, whether inland or coastwise, is credited on a day-for-day basis.
46 CFR 11.404(b)(3)“Service on vessels to which STCW applies, whether inland or coastwise, will be credited on a day-for-day basis.”
Common questions
How much service do I need to be Master of ocean vessels of unlimited tonnage?
One route is one year of service as Chief Mate on ocean self-propelled vessels. Another route is for holders of a Chief Mate endorsement, with 12 months of service on deck.
“One year of service as Chief Mate on ocean self-propelled vessels; or”
How is OICNW service credited toward Master of ocean vessels?
Under the (a)(2) route, service as Second Mate, Third Mate, or OICNW is accepted on a two-for-one basis. The text's example is that 12 months as OICNW equals 6 months of creditable service.
“accepted on a two-for-one basis (12 months as OICNW equals 6 months of creditable service).”
Can an inland Master upgrade to an ocean Master endorsement?
Yes. A holder of a Master endorsement of Great Lakes and inland, or inland, self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage may do so with at least 24 months of sea service and the examination in subpart I of this part.
“by providing evidence of sea service of not less than 24 months under the authority of the credential and by completing the prescribed examination in subpart I of this part.”
Can I get an STCW endorsement with this Master endorsement?
Yes. A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement according to § 11.305 of this part.
“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.305 of this part.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.404
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Service requirements for Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage
(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage is—
(1) One year of service as Chief Mate on ocean self-propelled vessels; or
(2) While holding an MMC endorsement as Chief Mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage, 12 months of service on deck as follows:
(i) A minimum of 6 months of service as Chief Mate.
(ii) Service as Second Mate, Third Mate, or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) accepted on a two-for-one basis (12 months as OICNW equals 6 months of creditable service).
(b) An individual holding an endorsement as Master of Great Lakes and inland, self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage, or Master of inland, self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage, may obtain an endorsement as Master of oceans or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage by providing evidence of sea service of not less than 24 months under the authority of the credential and by completing the prescribed examination in subpart I of this part. Service will be credited as follows:
(1) Service on the Great Lakes will be credited on a day-for-day basis up to 100 percent of the total required service.
(2) Service on inland waters, other than Great Lakes, that are navigable waters of the United States, will be credited on a day-for-day basis for up to 50 percent of the total required service.
(3) Service on vessels to which STCW applies, whether inland or coastwise, will be credited on a day-for-day basis.
(c) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.305 of this part.
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 April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.