46 CFR 11.414: Service requirements for Mate under 1,600 GRT
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the minimum service needed for an endorsement as Mate of self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT. An applicant may qualify through one of two paths, each requiring three years of deck department service. A holder may also qualify for an STCW endorsement under § 11.309 of this part.
Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Mate of self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT.
What it says
The first path requires three years of total service in the deck department of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels.
46 CFR 11.414(a)(1)“Three years of total service in the deck department of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels, as follows:”
Under the first path, service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 18 months of the required service.
46 CFR 11.414(a)(1)(i)“Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 18 months of the required service.”
Under the first path, one year of the required service must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT.
46 CFR 11.414(a)(1)(ii)“One year of the required service must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT.”
Under the first path, one year 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 an equivalent position, while holding an MMC endorsement as Master, Mate, or Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels.
46 CFR 11.414(a)(1)(iii)“One year 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, Mate, or Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels.”
Under the first path, six months 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.
46 CFR 11.414(a)(1)(iii)“Six months of the required 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”
The second path requires three years of total service in the deck department on ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels of more than 100 GRT.
46 CFR 11.414(a)(2)“Three years of total service in the deck department on ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels of more than 100 GRT.”
Under the second path, six months of the required service must have been while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer.
46 CFR 11.414(a)(2)“Six months of the required service must have been while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer.”
Common questions
How much service do I need for a Mate under 1,600 GRT endorsement?
Either path requires three years of total service in the deck department. The vessels and the extra conditions differ between the two paths.
“The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as Mate of self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT is—”
Can Great Lakes or inland service count toward Mate of less than 1,600 GRT?
Yes, under the first path. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 18 months of the required service.
“Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 18 months of the required service.”
Can a holder of this endorsement get 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 11.414
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Service requirements for Mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT
(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as Mate of self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT is—
(1) Three years of total service in the deck department of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels, as follows:
(i) Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 18 months of the required service.
(ii) One year of the required service must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT.
(iii) One year 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, Mate, or Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels. Six months of the required 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) Three years of total service in the deck department on ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels of more than 100 GRT. Six months of the required service must have been while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer.
(b) 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.