46 CFR 11.416: Service for near-coastal Mate under 1,600 GRT
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the minimum service needed for an endorsement as Mate of near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT. The applicant needs 2 years of total deck department service, with set amounts on larger vessels and on bridge watch. It also says a holder may qualify for an STCW endorsement under § 11.309 of this part.
Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Mate of near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT.
What it says
An applicant must have 2 years of total service in the deck department of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels.
46 CFR 11.416(a)“is 2 years of total service in the deck department of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels.”
Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 1 year of the required service.
46 CFR 11.416(a)“Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 1 year of the required service.”
One year of the required service must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT.
46 CFR 11.416(a)“One year of the required service must have been on 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.
46 CFR 11.416(a)“Six months of the required service must have been while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer.”
A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.309 of this part.
46 CFR 11.416(b)“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.309 of this part.”
Common questions
How much service do I need for a near-coastal Mate endorsement under 1,600 GRT?
The minimum is 2 years of total service in the deck department of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels.
“is 2 years of total service in the deck department of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels.”
Can Great Lakes or inland service count toward this Mate endorsement?
Yes. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 1 year of the required service.
“Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 1 year of the required service.”
Does any service have to be on bridge watch?
Yes. Six months of the required service must have been performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer.
“Six months of the required service must have been while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer.”
Can a holder of this endorsement get an STCW endorsement?
Yes. A holder 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 11.416
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Service requirements for Mate of near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT
(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as Mate of near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT is 2 years of total service in the deck department of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 1 year of the required service. One year of the required service must have been on 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.