46 CFR 11.450: Tonnage limits for Master or Mate endorsements under 200 GRT
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers endorsements as Master or Mate of vessels of less than 200 GRT. Endorsements are issued in 50 GRT increments based on qualifying experience, with credit rules for certain service and a limit when most experience is on very small vessels.
Applies toApplicants for endorsements as Master or Mate of vessels of less than 200 GRT.
What it says
Except as paragraph (d) provides, endorsements for Master or Mate of vessels of less than 200 GRT are issued in 50 GRT increments, based on the applicant's qualifying experience under § 11.422.
46 CFR 11.450(a)“all endorsements issued for Master or Mate of vessels of less than 200 GRT are issued in 50 GRT increments based on the applicant's qualifying experience”
Engineroom service on vessels of less than 200 GRT may be creditable for up to 25 percent of the deck service requirements for Mate.
46 CFR 11.450(b)“Service gained in the engineroom on vessels of less than 200 GRT may be creditable for up to 25 percent of the deck service requirements for Mate.”
When service is obtained on vessels that need no endorsed personnel, the Coast Guard must be satisfied that the service is a reasonable equivalent to duties on vessels that must engage endorsed individuals.
46 CFR 11.450(c)“the Coast Guard must be satisfied that the nature of this required service (i.e., size of vessel, route, equipment, etc.) is a reasonable equivalent”
If more than 75 percent of the qualifying experience is on vessels of 5 GRT or less, the endorsement is automatically limited to vessels of less than 25 GRT.
46 CFR 11.450(d)“If more than 75 percent of the qualifying experience is obtained on vessels of 5 GRT or less, the endorsement will automatically be limited to vessels of less than 25 GRT.”
Common questions
What size increments are Master or Mate endorsements issued in for vessels under 200 GRT?
They are issued in 50 GRT increments, based on the applicant's qualifying experience under § 11.422. Paragraph (d) is an exception.
“all endorsements issued for Master or Mate of vessels of less than 200 GRT are issued in 50 GRT increments based on the applicant's qualifying experience”
Can engineroom service count toward Mate deck service?
Yes. Engineroom service on vessels of less than 200 GRT may be creditable for up to 25 percent of the deck service requirements for Mate.
“Service gained in the engineroom on vessels of less than 200 GRT may be creditable for up to 25 percent of the deck service requirements for Mate.”
When is an endorsement limited to vessels under 25 GRT?
It is automatically limited to vessels of less than 25 GRT if more than 75 percent of the qualifying experience was on vessels of 5 GRT or less.
“If more than 75 percent of the qualifying experience is obtained on vessels of 5 GRT or less, the endorsement will automatically be limited to vessels of less than 25 GRT.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.450
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Tonnage limitations and qualifying requirements for endorsements as Master or Mate of Great Lakes and inland vessels of less than 200 GRT
(a) Except as noted in paragraph (d) of this section, all endorsements issued for Master or Mate of vessels of less than 200 GRT are issued in 50 GRT increments based on the applicant's qualifying experience in accordance with the provisions of § 11.422.
(b) Service gained in the engineroom on vessels of less than 200 GRT may be creditable for up to 25 percent of the deck service requirements for Mate.
(c) When the service is obtained on vessels upon which personnel with endorsements are not required, the Coast Guard must be satisfied that the nature of this required service (i.e., size of vessel, route, equipment, etc.) is a reasonable equivalent to the duties performed on vessels which are required to engage individuals with endorsements.
(d) If more than 75 percent of the qualifying experience is obtained on vessels of 5 GRT or less, the endorsement will automatically be limited to vessels of less than 25 GRT.
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.