46 CFR 11.426: Master of near-coastal vessels under 200 GRT
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the minimum service needed to qualify for a Master of near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT endorsement. It gives two service routes, adds a sail experience rule for sail or auxiliary sail endorsements, and addresses STCW compliance.
Applies toApplicants for, and holders of, an endorsement as Master of near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT.
What it says
One route to qualify requires two years total service on ocean or near-coastal waters.
46 CFR 11.426(a)(1)“Two years total service on ocean or near-coastal waters.”
Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 1 year of the required service.
46 CFR 11.426(a)(1)“Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 1 year of the required service.”
Under the two-year route, one year of the required service must have been as a Master, Mate, or equivalent position while holding an endorsement as Master, Mate, or Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV).
46 CFR 11.426(a)(1)“One year of the required service must have been as a Master, Mate, or equivalent position while holding an endorsement as Master, Mate, or Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV); or”
The other route requires one year of total service as Master or Mate of Towing Vessels on ocean or near-coastal routes, and the applicant must also complete an examination.
46 CFR 11.426(a)(2)“One year of total service as Master or Mate of Towing Vessels on ocean or near-coastal routes. Completion of an examination is also required.”
To obtain this endorsement for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of 12 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.
46 CFR 11.426(b)“the applicant must submit evidence of 12 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.”
The 12 months of sail experience may have been obtained before qualifying for an officer endorsement.
46 CFR 11.426(b)“These 12 months of experience may have been obtained before qualifying for an officer endorsement.”
Holders of this endorsement are considered to be in compliance with the STCW Convention while operating within the limitations of this endorsement.
46 CFR 11.426(c)“Holders of this endorsement are considered to be in compliance with the STCW Convention (incorporated by reference, see § 11.102) while operating within the limitations of this endorsement.”
Common questions
How much service do I need for near-coastal Master under 200 GRT?
One route requires two years total service on ocean or near-coastal waters, including one year as Master, Mate, or equivalent while holding a qualifying endorsement. The other requires one year as Master or Mate of Towing Vessels on ocean or near-coastal routes, plus an examination.
“One year of total service as Master or Mate of Towing Vessels on ocean or near-coastal routes. Completion of an examination is also required.”
Can Great Lakes or inland service count toward this endorsement?
Yes, under the two-year route. 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.”
What extra experience is needed for a sail or auxiliary sail endorsement?
The applicant must submit evidence of 12 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. That experience may have been obtained before qualifying for an officer endorsement.
“the applicant must submit evidence of 12 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.426
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Requirements for Master of near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT
(a) The minimum service required to qualify for a Master of near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT is—
(1) Two years total service on ocean or near-coastal waters. 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 as a Master, Mate, or equivalent position while holding an endorsement as Master, Mate, or Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV); or
(2) One year of total service as Master or Mate of Towing Vessels on ocean or near-coastal routes. Completion of an examination is also required.
(b) To obtain this officer endorsement for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of 12 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. These 12 months of experience may have been obtained before qualifying for an officer endorsement.
(c) Holders of this endorsement are considered to be in compliance with the STCW Convention (incorporated by reference, see § 11.102) while operating within the limitations of this endorsement.
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.