46 CFR 11.405: Service requirements for Chief Mate, unlimited ocean
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the minimum service needed for an endorsement as Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage. It requires 1 year of service as OICNW while holding a Second Mate endorsement. It also explains how Great Lakes, inland and STCW vessel service is credited.
Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage.
What it says
An applicant needs at least 1 year of service as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) on ocean self-propelled vessels while holding an MMC endorsement as Second Mate.
46 CFR 11.405(a)“is 1 year of service as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) on ocean self-propelled vessels while holding an MMC endorsement as Second Mate”
Service on the Great Lakes will be credited on a day-for-day basis toward an oceans, near-coastal, or STCW endorsement.
46 CFR 11.405(b)(1)“Service on the Great Lakes will be credited on a day-for-day basis.”
Service on inland waters other than the Great Lakes that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service.
46 CFR 11.405(b)(2)“Service on inland waters, other than Great Lakes, that are navigable waters of the United States, may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service.”
Service on vessels to which STCW applies, whether inland or coastwise, will be credited on a day-for-day basis.
46 CFR 11.405(b)(3)“Service on vessels to which STCW applies, whether inland or coastwise, will be credited on a day-for-day basis.”
A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement according to § 11.307 of this part.
46 CFR 11.405(c)“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.307 of this part.”
Common questions
How much service do I need for a Chief Mate unlimited ocean endorsement?
The minimum is 1 year of service as OICNW on ocean self-propelled vessels while holding an MMC endorsement as Second Mate.
“is 1 year of service as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) on ocean self-propelled vessels while holding an MMC endorsement as Second Mate”
Does Great Lakes service count toward Chief Mate service?
Yes. Service on the Great Lakes will be credited on a day-for-day basis.
“Service on the Great Lakes will be credited on a day-for-day basis.”
How much inland service can substitute for required service?
Service on inland navigable waters of the United States other than the Great Lakes may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service.
“Service on inland waters, other than Great Lakes, that are navigable waters of the United States, may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.405
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Service requirements for Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage
(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage is 1 year of service as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) on ocean self-propelled vessels while holding an MMC endorsement as Second Mate.
(b) Service towards an oceans, near-coastal, or STCW endorsement will be credited as follows:
(1) Service on the Great Lakes will be credited on a day-for-day basis.
(2) Service on inland waters, other than Great Lakes, that are navigable waters of the United States, may be substituted 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 § 11.307 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.