46 CFR 11.437: Mate of Great Lakes and inland vessels, unlimited tonnage

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets the minimum service to qualify for an endorsement as Mate of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage. An applicant can qualify through deck service, Great Lakes Maritime Academy graduation, or service as Master. Some engine department service may count toward the deck service path.

Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Mate of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage.

What it says

  1. One way to qualify is three years of service in the deck department of self-propelled vessels.

    46 CFR 11.437(a)(1)“Three years of service in the deck department of self-propelled vessels, at least 3 months of which must have been on vessels on inland waters”

  2. Within the three years of deck service, at least 6 months must have been spent performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer.

    46 CFR 11.437(a)(1)“at least 6 months of which must have been while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer”

  3. Another way to qualify is to graduate from the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.

    46 CFR 11.437(a)(2)“Graduation from the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy; or”

  4. A third way applies to an applicant holding an MMC endorsement as Master of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT, who needs 1 year of service as Master on vessels of 200 GRT or more.

    46 CFR 11.437(a)(3)“While holding an MMC endorsement as Master of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT, 1 year of service as Master on vessels of 200 GRT or more.”

  5. A tonnage limitation may be placed on the Master endorsement in accordance with § 11.431.

    46 CFR 11.437(a)(3)“A tonnage limitation may be placed on this MMC endorsement in accordance with § 11.431.”

  6. Engine department service on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 6 months of the service required under paragraph (a)(1).

    46 CFR 11.437(b)“Service gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 6 months of the service requirements under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.”

Common questions

How much deck service do I need for Mate of Great Lakes and inland vessels of unlimited tonnage?

The deck service path requires three years of service in the deck department of self-propelled vessels. At least 3 months must be on inland waters and at least 6 months on bridge watchkeeping duties.

“Three years of service in the deck department of self-propelled vessels, at least 3 months of which must have been on vessels on inland waters”

Can engine department time count toward the Mate endorsement?

Yes, it may. Engine department service on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 6 months of the paragraph (a)(1) service.

“Service gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 6 months of the service requirements under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.”

Can I qualify by graduating from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy?

Yes. Graduation from the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy is one of the ways to qualify.

“Graduation from the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy; or”

The text of 46 CFR 11.437

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

Requirements for Mate of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as Mate of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage is—

(1) Three years of service in the deck department of self-propelled vessels, at least 3 months of which must have been on vessels on inland waters and at least 6 months of which must have been while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer;

(2) Graduation from the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy; or

(3) While holding an MMC endorsement as Master of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT, 1 year of service as Master on vessels of 200 GRT or more. A tonnage limitation may be placed on this MMC endorsement in accordance with § 11.431.

(b) Service gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 6 months of the service requirements under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

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.