46 CFR 11.544: Assistant Engineer-MODU endorsement requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets out how an applicant qualifies for an endorsement as Assistant Engineer-MODU. The applicant must show qualifying MODU or machinist employment or an accepted degree, and must show completion of a firefighting training course. The Coast Guard may issue an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units when self-propelled sea service is missing.

Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Assistant Engineer-MODU.

What it says

  1. An applicant may qualify with three years of employment assigned to MODUs, including 18 months in listed capacities such as Mechanic, Motorman, Subsea Engineer, Electrician, Barge Engineer, Toolpusher, Unit Superintendent, Crane Operator, or equivalent.

    46 CFR 11.544(a)(1)(i)“Three years of employment assigned to MODUs, including 18 months of employment as Mechanic, Motorman, Subsea Engineer, Electrician, Barge Engineer, Toolpusher, Unit Superintendent, Crane Operator, or equivalent.”

  2. Nine months of the employment under paragraph (a)(1)(i) must have been assigned to a self-propelled or propulsion assisted unit.

    46 CFR 11.544(a)(1)(i)“Nine months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted unit.”

  3. An applicant may instead qualify with three years in the machinist trade building or repairing diesel engines and 1 year assigned to MODUs as Mechanic, Motorman, Oiler, or equivalent.

    46 CFR 11.544(a)(1)(ii)“Three years of employment in the machinist trade engaged in the construction or repair of diesel engines and 1 year of employment assigned to MODUs in the capacity of Mechanic, Motorman, Oiler, or equivalent.”

  4. An applicant with a degree in marine, mechanical, or electrical engineering technology from an ABET-accredited program must also have at least 6 months of employment in a capacity listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) aboard self-propelled or propulsion-assisted units.

    46 CFR 11.544(a)(1)(iii)“An applicant qualifying through a degree program must also have at least 6 months of employment in any of the capacities listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section aboard self-propelled or propulsion-assisted units; and”

  5. The applicant must provide evidence of completing a firefighting training course as required by § 11.201(h).

    46 CFR 11.544(a)(2)“Provide evidence of completion of a firefighting training course as required by § 11.201(h).”

  6. If an applicant passes the examination and has the total required sea service but lacks the required self-propelled sea service, the Coast Guard may issue an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units.

    46 CFR 11.544(b)“the Coast Guard may issue the applicant an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units.”

  7. A holder of this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement according to §§ 11.329 and 11.333 of this part.

    46 CFR 11.544(c)“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.329 and 11.333 of this part.”

Common questions

Can I qualify for Assistant Engineer-MODU with an engineering degree?

Yes, with a degree in marine, mechanical, or electrical engineering technology from an ABET-accredited program. The National Maritime Center will give consideration to accepting education credentials from programs having other than ABET accreditation.

“The National Maritime Center will give consideration to accepting education credentials from programs having other than ABET accreditation.”

Can the Coast Guard limit an Assistant Engineer-MODU endorsement?

Yes. If the applicant lacks the required self-propelled sea service, the Coast Guard may issue an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units.

“the Coast Guard may issue the applicant an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units.”

How is the limitation on an Assistant Engineer-MODU endorsement removed?

The Coast Guard may remove it when the holder provides satisfactory evidence of the required self-propelled sea service and completes any additional required examination.

“The Coast Guard may remove the limitation upon providing the satisfactory evidence of the required self-propelled sea service and completion of any additional required examination.”

The text of 46 CFR 11.544

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

Endorsement as Assistant Engineer-MODU

(a) To qualify for an endorsement as Assistant Engineer-MODU an applicant must—

(1) Provide evidence of one of the following:

(i) Three years of employment assigned to MODUs, including 18 months of employment as Mechanic, Motorman, Subsea Engineer, Electrician, Barge Engineer, Toolpusher, Unit Superintendent, Crane Operator, or equivalent. Nine months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted unit.

(ii) Three years of employment in the machinist trade engaged in the construction or repair of diesel engines and 1 year of employment assigned to MODUs in the capacity of Mechanic, Motorman, Oiler, or equivalent. Nine months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units.

(iii) A degree from a program in marine, mechanical, or electrical engineering technology that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The National Maritime Center will give consideration to accepting education credentials from programs having other than ABET accreditation. An applicant qualifying through a degree program must also have at least 6 months of employment in any of the capacities listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section aboard self-propelled or propulsion-assisted units; and

(2) Provide evidence of completion of a firefighting training course as required by § 11.201(h).

(b) If an applicant successfully completes an examination and possesses the total required sea service for an endorsement as an Assistant Engineer-MODU, but does not possess the required sea service onboard self-propelled or propulsion assisted units, the Coast Guard may issue the applicant an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units. The Coast Guard may remove the limitation upon providing the satisfactory evidence of the required self-propelled sea service and completion of any additional required examination.

(c) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.329 and 11.333 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.