46 CFR 11.530: Engineer endorsements for uninspected fishing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers endorsements for Chief and Assistant Engineer of documented fishing industry vessels, with three listed exceptions. A Chief Engineer applicant must have served 4 years in the engineroom, and an Assistant Engineer applicant 3 years. Two-thirds of the service must have been on motor vessels.
Applies toChief and Assistant Engineer endorsements for all vessels, however propelled, documented to engage in the fishing industry, except wooden ships of primitive build, unrigged vessels, and vessels of less than 200 GRT.
What it says
This section does not apply to wooden ships of primitive build, unrigged vessels, or vessels of less than 200 GRT.
46 CFR 11.530(a)“with the exception of—”
Endorsements as Chief Engineer and Assistant Engineer of Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels are issued for ocean waters and with propulsion power limitations in accordance with § 11.503.
46 CFR 11.530(b)“are issued for ocean waters and with propulsion power limitations in accordance with the provisions of § 11.503.”
An applicant for Chief Engineer must have served 4 years in the engineroom of vessels.
46 CFR 11.530(c)“For an endorsement as Chief Engineer, the applicant must have served 4 years in the engineroom of vessels.”
One year of the Chief Engineer service must have been as an Assistant Engineer Officer or equivalent position.
46 CFR 11.530(c)“One year of this service must have been as an Assistant Engineer Officer or equivalent position.”
An applicant for Assistant Engineer must have served 3 years in the engineroom of vessels.
46 CFR 11.530(d)“For an endorsement as Assistant Engineer, an applicant must have served 3 years in the engineroom of vessels.”
Two-thirds of the service required under this section must have been on motor vessels.
46 CFR 11.530(e)“Two-thirds of the service required under this section must have been on motor vessels.”
Applicants may request an orally assisted examination on the subjects listed in subpart I of this part.
46 CFR 11.530(f)“Applicants may request an orally assisted examination on the subjects listed in subpart I of this part.”
Common questions
How much engineroom service do I need for a Chief Engineer endorsement on a fishing vessel?
You must have served 4 years in the engineroom of vessels. One year of that must have been as an Assistant Engineer Officer or equivalent position.
“For an endorsement as Chief Engineer, the applicant must have served 4 years in the engineroom of vessels.”
How much service is required for an Assistant Engineer endorsement on an uninspected fishing vessel?
An applicant must have served 3 years in the engineroom of vessels.
“For an endorsement as Assistant Engineer, an applicant must have served 3 years in the engineroom of vessels.”
How much of the required service must be on motor vessels?
Two-thirds of the service required under this section must have been on motor vessels.
“Two-thirds of the service required under this section must have been on motor vessels.”
Can I ask for an orally assisted exam for an engineer endorsement?
Yes. Applicants may request an orally assisted examination on the subjects listed in subpart I of this part.
“Applicants may request an orally assisted examination on the subjects listed in subpart I of this part.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.530
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Endorsements as Engineer of Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels
(a) This section applies to endorsements for Chief and Assistant Engineer of all vessels, however propelled, which are documented to engage in the fishing industry, with the exception of—
(1) Wooden ships of primitive build;
(2) Unrigged vessels; and
(3) Vessels of less than 200 GRT.
(b) Endorsements as Chief Engineer and Assistant Engineer of Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels are issued for ocean waters and with propulsion power limitations in accordance with the provisions of § 11.503.
(c) For an endorsement as Chief Engineer, the applicant must have served 4 years in the engineroom of vessels. One year of this service must have been as an Assistant Engineer Officer or equivalent position.
(d) For an endorsement as Assistant Engineer, an applicant must have served 3 years in the engineroom of vessels.
(e) Two-thirds of the service required under this section must have been on motor vessels.
(f) Applicants may request an orally assisted examination on the subjects listed in subpart I of this part.
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.