46 CFR 11.435: Master of inland self-propelled vessels, unlimited tonnage

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets the minimum service needed to qualify for an endorsement as Master of self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage on inland waters, excluding the Great Lakes. An applicant can qualify with one year of service as First-Class Pilot or Mate, or two years of bridge watchkeeping service. Paragraph (b) is reserved.

Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Master of self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage on inland waters, excluding the Great Lakes.

What it says

  1. The minimum service to qualify for a Master endorsement on inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage, excluding the Great Lakes, is set out in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2).

    46 CFR 11.435(a)“The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as Master of self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage on inland waters, excluding the Great Lakes is—”

  2. One way to qualify is one year of service as First-Class Pilot (of other than canal and small lakes routes) or Mate of Great Lakes or inland self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more.

    46 CFR 11.435(a)(1)“One year of service as First-Class Pilot (of other than canal and small lakes routes) or Mate of Great Lakes or inland self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more”

  3. The applicant must hold an MMC endorsement as Mate inland or First-Class Pilot of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage while performing that one year of service.

    46 CFR 11.435(a)(1)“while holding an MMC endorsement as Mate inland or First-Class Pilot of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage; or”

  4. The other way to qualify is two years of service performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer, while holding a Mate/First-Class Pilot MMC endorsement.

    46 CFR 11.435(a)(2)“Two years of service performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer while holding a Mate/First-Class Pilot MMC endorsement.”

Common questions

How much service do I need for an inland unlimited tonnage Master endorsement?

The text gives two options: one year of service as First-Class Pilot or Mate on qualifying vessels, or two years of bridge watchkeeping service. Each option has its own endorsement conditions.

“Two years of service performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer while holding a Mate/First-Class Pilot MMC endorsement.”

Does this section cover the Great Lakes?

No. The Master endorsement in this section is for inland waters, excluding the Great Lakes.

“self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage on inland waters, excluding the Great Lakes is—”

What vessel size counts for the one-year Mate service?

The one year of service must be on Great Lakes or inland self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more.

“One year of service as First-Class Pilot (of other than canal and small lakes routes) or Mate of Great Lakes or inland self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more”

The text of 46 CFR 11.435

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Requirements for Master of inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as Master of self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage on inland waters, excluding the Great Lakes is—

(1) One year of service as First-Class Pilot (of other than canal and small lakes routes) or Mate of Great Lakes or inland self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more while holding an MMC endorsement as Mate inland or First-Class Pilot of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage; or

(2) Two years of service performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer while holding a Mate/First-Class Pilot MMC endorsement.

(b) [Reserved]

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.