46 CFR 11.425: Mate of ocean vessels under 200 GRT
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the minimum service needed for an endorsement as Mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT. It also covers routes for OUPV holders, sail vessel endorsements, tonnage endorsements and STCW endorsements.
Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT.
What it says
One way to qualify is twelve months of total service in the deck department of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels.
46 CFR 11.425(a)(1)“Twelve months 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 6 months of the required twelve months of service.
46 CFR 11.425(a)(1)“Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 6 months of the required service”
Another way to qualify is three months of deck department service on self-propelled vessels while holding an MMC endorsement as Master of inland self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels of less than 200 GRT.
46 CFR 11.425(a)(2)“Three months of service in the deck department of self-propelled vessels operating on ocean, near-coastal, Great Lakes, or inland waters while holding an MMC endorsement as Master of inland self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels of less than 200 GRT.”
A holder of an MMC endorsement as OUPV with a near-coastal route endorsement may obtain this endorsement by passing an examination on rules and regulations for small passenger vessels.
46 CFR 11.425(b)“may obtain this endorsement by successfully completing an examination on rules and regulations for small passenger vessels.”
To obtain this officer endorsement for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of 6 months of deck service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.
46 CFR 11.425(c)“the applicant must submit evidence of 6 months of deck service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.”
A License or MMC endorsement as Master of near-coastal self-propelled vessels may be endorsed as Mate of sail or auxiliary sail vessels upon evidence of 3 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.
46 CFR 11.425(d)“may be endorsed as Mate of sail or auxiliary sail vessels upon providing evidence of 3 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.”
To obtain a tonnage endorsement for 100 GRT or more, the applicant must complete the additional examination topics indicated in subpart I of this part.
46 CFR 11.425(e)“To obtain a tonnage endorsement for 100 GRT or more, the applicant must complete the additional examination topics indicated in subpart I of this part.”
Common questions
How much service do I need for Mate of ocean vessels under 200 GRT?
One route is twelve months 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 6 months.
“Twelve months of total service in the deck department of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels.”
Can an OUPV holder get this Mate endorsement by examination?
Yes, a holder of an MMC endorsement as OUPV with a near-coastal route endorsement may obtain it by passing an examination on rules and regulations for small passenger vessels.
“may obtain this endorsement by successfully completing an examination on rules and regulations for small passenger vessels.”
What is needed for a tonnage endorsement of 100 GRT or more?
The applicant must complete the additional examination topics indicated in subpart I of this part.
“To obtain a tonnage endorsement for 100 GRT or more, the applicant must complete the additional examination topics indicated in subpart I of this part.”
Can I get an STCW endorsement with this Mate endorsement?
A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement according to §§ 11.319 and 11.321 of this part.
“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.319 and 11.321 of this part.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.425
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Requirements for Mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT
(a) The minimum service required to qualify for the endorsement as Mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT is—
(1) Twelve months 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 6 months of the required service; or
(2) Three months of service in the deck department of self-propelled vessels operating on ocean, near-coastal, Great Lakes, or inland waters while holding an MMC endorsement as Master of inland self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels of less than 200 GRT.
(b) The holder of an MMC endorsement as Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) with a near-coastal route endorsement may obtain this endorsement by successfully completing an examination on rules and regulations for small passenger vessels.
(c) To obtain this officer endorsement for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of 6 months of deck service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.
(d) A License or MMC endorsement as Master of near-coastal self-propelled vessels may be endorsed as Mate of sail or auxiliary sail vessels upon providing evidence of 3 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.
(e) To obtain a tonnage endorsement for 100 GRT or more, the applicant must complete the additional examination topics indicated in subpart I of this part.
(f) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.319 and 11.321 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.