46 CFR 11.701: Scope of First-Class Pilot endorsements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section describes the scope of First-Class Pilot endorsements. An applicant need not hold another officer endorsement, and the endorsement qualifies the holder to serve as Pilot over the routes on it. The OCMI sets limitations based on the applicant's experience.

Applies toApplicants for and holders of an endorsement as First-Class Pilot, and holders of MMC endorsements as Master, Mate, or Operator of Uninspected Towing Vessels.

What it says

  1. An applicant for a First-Class Pilot endorsement does not need to hold any other officer endorsement issued under this part.

    46 CFR 11.701(a)“An applicant for an endorsement as First-Class Pilot need not hold any other officer endorsement issued under this part.”

  2. A First-Class Pilot endorsement qualifies the holder to serve as Pilot over the routes specified on the endorsement, subject to any limitations imposed under paragraph (c) of this section.

    46 CFR 11.701(b)“qualifies that individual to serve as Pilot over the routes specified on the endorsement, subject to any limitations imposed under paragraph (c) of this section.”

  3. The OCMI issuing a First-Class Pilot endorsement imposes appropriate limitations commensurate with the applicant's experience, covering class or type of vessel, tonnage, route, and waters.

    46 CFR 11.701(c)“imposes appropriate limitations commensurate with the experience of the applicant, with respect to class or type of vessel, tonnage, route, and waters.”

  4. An MMC endorsement as Master, Mate, or Operator of Uninspected Towing Vessels authorizes service as a Pilot under the provisions of § 15.812 of this subchapter.

    46 CFR 11.701(d)“An MMC endorsement issued for service as a Master, Mate, or Operator of Uninspected Towing Vessels authorizes service as a Pilot under the provisions of § 15.812 of this subchapter.”

  5. First-Class Pilot endorsements will not be issued with tonnage limitations of 1,600 GRT or less.

    46 CFR 11.701(d)“First-Class Pilot endorsements will not be issued with tonnage limitations of 1,600 GRT or less.”

Common questions

Do I need another officer endorsement to get a First-Class Pilot endorsement?

No. An applicant for a First-Class Pilot endorsement need not hold any other officer endorsement issued under this part.

“An applicant for an endorsement as First-Class Pilot need not hold any other officer endorsement issued under this part.”

Who sets limits on a First-Class Pilot endorsement?

The OCMI issuing the endorsement imposes the limitations. They cover class or type of vessel, tonnage, route, and waters, and match the applicant's experience.

“The OCMI issuing an endorsement as First-Class Pilot imposes appropriate limitations commensurate with the experience of the applicant”

Can a towing vessel Master, Mate, or Operator endorsement be used for piloting?

Yes. That MMC endorsement authorizes service as a Pilot under the provisions of § 15.812 of this subchapter.

“authorizes service as a Pilot under the provisions of § 15.812 of this subchapter.”

The text of 46 CFR 11.701

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

Scope of Pilot endorsements

(a) An applicant for an endorsement as First-Class Pilot need not hold any other officer endorsement issued under this part.

(b) The issuance of an endorsement as First-Class Pilot to an individual qualifies that individual to serve as Pilot over the routes specified on the endorsement, subject to any limitations imposed under paragraph (c) of this section.

(c) The OCMI issuing an endorsement as First-Class Pilot imposes appropriate limitations commensurate with the experience of the applicant, with respect to class or type of vessel, tonnage, route, and waters.

(d) An MMC endorsement issued for service as a Master, Mate, or Operator of Uninspected Towing Vessels authorizes service as a Pilot under the provisions of § 15.812 of this subchapter. Therefore, First-Class Pilot endorsements will not be issued with tonnage limitations of 1,600 GRT or less.

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.