46 CFR 11.407: Third Mate unlimited tonnage service requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lists the minimum service or training needed for an endorsement as Third Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage. Applicants may qualify through sea service, academy graduation, or an approved Apprentice Mate program. It also covers Great Lakes Maritime Academy graduates, certain Masters of smaller vessels, and holders of certain Mate or inland Master endorsements.

Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Third Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage.

What it says

  1. One route to the endorsement is three years of deck department service on ocean self-propelled vessels, including a minimum of 6 months of bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer.

    46 CFR 11.407(a)(1)“Three years of service in the deck department on ocean self-propelled vessels, with a minimum of 6 months of bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer.”

  2. Engine department experience on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 3 months of the service requirements for this officer endorsement.

    46 CFR 11.407(a)(1)“Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 3 months of the service requirements for this officer endorsement;”

  3. Another route is graduation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (deck curriculum), or from the other academies and programs listed in paragraph (a)(2).

    46 CFR 11.407(a)(2)(i)“The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (deck curriculum);”

  4. A third route is satisfactory completion of a comprehensive Apprentice Mate training program approved by the Coast Guard.

    46 CFR 11.407(a)(3)“Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive Apprentice Mate training program approved by the Coast Guard.”

  5. Graduation from the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy qualifies the graduate to be examined for a Third Mate endorsement with a route appropriate to the program completed.

    46 CFR 11.407(b)“Graduation from the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy will qualify the graduate to be examined for an endorsement as Third Mate of self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage with a route appropriate to the program completed.”

  6. An applicant holding an MMC endorsement as Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT qualifies with 1 year of service as Master on vessels of more than 200 GRT operating on ocean or near-coastal waters.

    46 CFR 11.407(c)“While holding an MMC endorsement as Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT, 1 year of service as Master on vessels of more than 200 GRT”

  7. An individual holding an endorsement as Mate of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage, or as Master of inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage, may obtain this endorsement by completing the prescribed examination in subpart I of this part.

    46 CFR 11.407(d)“may obtain an endorsement as Third Mate of oceans or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage by completing the prescribed examination in subpart I of this part.”

Common questions

How much sea service do I need for Third Mate of unlimited tonnage?

One route requires three years of deck department service on ocean self-propelled vessels, with a minimum of 6 months of bridge watchkeeping duties under supervision.

“Three years of service in the deck department on ocean self-propelled vessels, with a minimum of 6 months of bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer.”

Can engine department time count toward Third Mate service?

Yes, engine department experience on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 3 months of the service requirements.

“Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 3 months of the service requirements for this officer endorsement;”

Can a Third Mate endorsement lead to an STCW endorsement?

Yes, a person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement according to § 11.309 of this part.

“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.309 of this part.”

The text of 46 CFR 11.407

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Service requirements for Third Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage

(a) The minimum service or training required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as Third Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage is—

(1) Three years of service in the deck department on ocean self-propelled vessels, with a minimum of 6 months of bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 3 months of the service requirements for this officer endorsement;

(2) Graduation from—

(i) The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (deck curriculum);

(ii) The U.S. Coast Guard Academy with qualification as an underway Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW), underway officer of the deck, or deck watch officer;

(iii) The U.S. Naval Academy with qualification as an underway OICNW, underway officer of the deck or deck watch officer; or

(iv) The deck class of a maritime academy approved by and conducted under rules prescribed by the Maritime Administrator and listed in part 310 of this title, including the ocean option program in the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy; or

(3) Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive Apprentice Mate training program approved by the Coast Guard.

(b) Graduation from the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy will qualify the graduate to be examined for an endorsement as Third Mate of self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage with a route appropriate to the program completed.

(c) While holding an MMC endorsement as Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT, 1 year of service as Master on vessels of more than 200 GRT operating on ocean or near-coastal waters will qualify the applicant for an endorsement as Third Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage.

(d) An individual holding an endorsement as Mate 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 Third Mate of oceans or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage by completing the prescribed examination in subpart I of this part.

(e) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.309 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.