46 CFR 11.412: Master of ocean or near-coastal vessels under 1,600 GRT service
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the minimum service an applicant needs for an endorsement as Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT. An applicant may qualify through four years of total service or through one year of service as Master or Mate on vessels of more than 100 GRT while holding certain endorsements. Holders of certain Chief Mate or Second Mate endorsements have a path with reduced or limited examination.
Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT.
What it says
An applicant may qualify with four years total service on ocean or near-coastal waters.
46 CFR 11.412(a)(1)“Four years total service on ocean or near-coastal waters.”
Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 2 years of the required service.
46 CFR 11.412(a)(1)“Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 2 years of the required service.”
Two years of the required service must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT.
46 CFR 11.412(a)(1)“Two years of the required service must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT.”
Alternatively, an applicant may qualify with one year of service on vessels of more than 100 GRT on ocean or near-coastal waters as a Master or Mate of self-propelled vessels, or Master or Mate of Towing Vessels, while holding a Mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT or a Master or Mate of Towing Vessels MMC endorsement.
46 CFR 11.412(a)(2)“One year of service on vessels of more than 100 GRT on ocean or near-coastal waters as a Master or Mate of self-propelled vessels, or Master or Mate of Towing Vessels”
An applicant holding an MMC endorsement as Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more is eligible for this endorsement without further examination.
46 CFR 11.412(b)“An applicant holding an MMC endorsement as Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more is eligible for this endorsement without further examination.”
An applicant holding an MMC endorsement as Second Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more is eligible upon completion of a limited examination.
46 CFR 11.412(b)“An applicant holding an MMC endorsement as Second Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more is eligible for this endorsement upon completion of a limited examination.”
A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.311 of this part.
46 CFR 11.412(c)“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.311 of this part.”
Common questions
How much service do I need for Master of ocean or near-coastal vessels under 1,600 GRT?
One route requires four years total service on ocean or near-coastal waters, with other conditions in paragraph (a)(1).
“Four years total service on ocean or near-coastal waters.”
Can Great Lakes or inland service count toward this endorsement?
Yes. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 2 years of the required service.
“Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 2 years of the required service.”
Does a Chief Mate of 1,600 GRT or more need further examination for this endorsement?
No. An applicant holding that Chief Mate endorsement is eligible without further examination.
“An applicant holding an MMC endorsement as Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more is eligible for this endorsement without further examination.”
Can this endorsement lead to an STCW endorsement?
Yes. A holder may qualify for an STCW endorsement according to § 11.311 of this part.
“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.311 of this part.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.412
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 less than 1,600 GRT
(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT is—
(1) Four years total service on ocean or near-coastal waters. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 2 years of the required service. Two years of the required service must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT. Two years of the required service must have been as a Master or Mate of self-propelled vessels, or Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels, or equivalent position while holding an MMC endorsement as Master or Mate of self-propelled vessels, or Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels. One year of the service as Master or Mate of self-propelled vessels, or Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels, or equivalent position must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT; or
(2) One year of service on vessels of more than 100 GRT on ocean or near-coastal waters as a Master or Mate of self-propelled vessels, or Master or Mate of Towing Vessels while holding an MMC endorsement as Mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT or as Master or Mate of Towing Vessels.
(b) An applicant holding an MMC endorsement as Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more is eligible for this endorsement without further examination. An applicant holding an MMC endorsement as Second Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more is eligible for this endorsement upon completion of a limited examination.
(c) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.311 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.