46 CFR 11.456: Limited Master endorsement for small Great Lakes and inland vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers a restricted Limited Master endorsement for vessels of less than 100 GRT on Great Lakes and inland waters. The applicant must have 4 months of service, complete an approved safe boating course, and pass a limited exam. First aid and CPR certificates are required only in certain cases.
Applies toApplicants for a Limited Master endorsement for vessels of less than 100 GRT upon Great Lakes and inland waters, employed by organizations such as formal camps, educational institutions, yacht clubs, and marinas.
What it says
The Coast Guard may issue a Limited Master endorsement for vessels of less than 100 GRT upon Great Lakes and inland waters to an applicant employed by organizations such as formal camps, educational institutions, yacht clubs, and marinas, with reduced service requirements.
46 CFR 11.456(a)“may be issued to an applicant to be employed by organizations such as formal camps, educational institutions, yacht clubs, and marinas with reduced service requirements”
An endorsement issued under this paragraph is limited to the specific activity and the locality of the camp, yacht club, or marina.
46 CFR 11.456(a)“An endorsement issued under this paragraph is limited to the specific activity and the locality of the camp, yacht club, or marina.”
The applicant must have 4 months of service in the operation of the type of vessel for which the endorsement is requested.
46 CFR 11.456(a)(1)“Have 4 months of service in the operation of the type of vessel for which the endorsement is requested;”
The applicant must satisfactorily complete a safe boating course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, a public education course conducted by the U.S. Power Squadron or the American Red Cross, or a Coast Guard-approved course.
46 CFR 11.456(a)(2)“Satisfactorily complete a safe boating course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, a public education course conducted by the U.S. Power Squadron or the American Red Cross, or a Coast Guard-approved course.”
The course must have been completed within 5 years before the date of application.
46 CFR 11.456(a)(2)“This course must have been completed within 5 years before the date of application; and”
The applicant must pass a limited examination appropriate for the activity to be conducted and the route authorized.
46 CFR 11.456(a)(3)“Pass a limited examination appropriate for the activity to be conducted and the route authorized.”
The first aid and CPR course certificates required by § 11.201(i) of this part are required only when, in the opinion of the Coast Guard, the authorized geographic area precludes obtaining medical services within a reasonable time.
46 CFR 11.456(b)“will only be required when, in the opinion of the Coast Guard, the geographic area over which service is authorized precludes obtaining medical services within a reasonable time.”
Common questions
How much service do I need for a Limited Master endorsement under 100 GRT?
The applicant must have 4 months of service in the operation of the type of vessel for which the endorsement is requested.
“Have 4 months of service in the operation of the type of vessel for which the endorsement is requested;”
How recent must my safe boating course be?
The course must have been completed within 5 years before the date of application.
“This course must have been completed within 5 years before the date of application; and”
Is a Limited Master endorsement limited to a particular place?
Yes. An endorsement issued under this paragraph is limited to the specific activity and the locality of the camp, yacht club, or marina.
“An endorsement issued under this paragraph is limited to the specific activity and the locality of the camp, yacht club, or marina.”
When are first aid and CPR certificates required for this endorsement?
They are required only when, in the Coast Guard's opinion, the authorized geographic area precludes obtaining medical services within a reasonable time.
“will only be required when, in the opinion of the Coast Guard, the geographic area over which service is authorized precludes obtaining medical services within a reasonable time.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.456
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Requirements for Limited Master of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of less than 100 GRT
(a) An endorsement as Limited Master for vessels of less than 100 GRT upon Great Lakes and inland waters may be issued to an applicant to be employed by organizations such as formal camps, educational institutions, yacht clubs, and marinas with reduced service requirements. An endorsement issued under this paragraph is limited to the specific activity and the locality of the camp, yacht club, or marina. To obtain this restricted endorsement, an applicant must—
(1) Have 4 months of service in the operation of the type of vessel for which the endorsement is requested;
(2) Satisfactorily complete a safe boating course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, a public education course conducted by the U.S. Power Squadron or the American Red Cross, or a Coast Guard-approved course. This course must have been completed within 5 years before the date of application; and
(3) Pass a limited examination appropriate for the activity to be conducted and the route authorized.
(b) The first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course certificates required by § 11.201(i) of this part will only be required when, in the opinion of the Coast Guard, the geographic area over which service is authorized precludes obtaining medical services within a reasonable time.
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.