46 CFR 11.711: Tonnage experience for First-Class Pilot endorsement
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the tonnage experience needed for a First-Class Pilot endorsement for vessels of unlimited tonnage over a particular route. An applicant needs sufficient experience on vessels of more than 1,600 GRT. Without it, the endorsement is limited in tonnage until the applicant completes more roundtrips.
Applies toApplicants for a First-Class Pilot endorsement authorizing service on vessels of unlimited tonnage over a particular route.
What it says
An applicant for a First-Class Pilot endorsement for vessels of unlimited tonnage over a particular route must have sufficient experience on vessels of more than 1,600 GRT.
46 CFR 11.711(a)“the applicant must have sufficient experience on vessels of more than 1,600 GRT.”
An applicant has sufficient experience with 18 months of experience in a listed capacity, standing regular watches at the wheel or in the pilothouse as part of routine duties, on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more.
46 CFR 11.711(b)“18 months of experience as Master, Mate, quartermaster, wheelsman, Able Seafarer, Apprentice Pilot, or in an equivalent capacity”
Two-thirds of the minimum number of roundtrips required for the route must also have been on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more.
46 CFR 11.711(b)“two-thirds of the minimum number of roundtrips required for the route have been on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more.”
An applicant without sufficient experience on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more gets an endorsement for a limited tonnage until completing additional roundtrips, as determined by the OCMI, within the range in § 11.705(b) or (c), as appropriate.
46 CFR 11.711(c)“the endorsement will be for a limited tonnage until the applicant completes a number of additional roundtrips, as determined by the OCMI”
For towing vessel experience, the combined gross tonnage of the towing vessels and the vessels towed will be considered.
46 CFR 11.711(d)“the combined gross tonnage of the towing vessels and the vessels towed will be considered.”
The Coast Guard may require that all or part of the required roundtrips be on self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more, when it determines that the nature of the waters and the applicant's overall experience make that experience necessary for an endorsement not restricted to tug and barge combinations.
46 CFR 11.711(d)“the Coast Guard may require that all or a portion of the required number of roundtrips be obtained on self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more”
Common questions
How much experience do I need for an unlimited tonnage First-Class Pilot endorsement?
You need 18 months of experience in a listed capacity, standing regular watches, on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more. Two-thirds of the minimum roundtrips required for the route must also have been on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more.
“18 months of experience as Master, Mate, quartermaster, wheelsman, Able Seafarer, Apprentice Pilot, or in an equivalent capacity”
What happens if I lack experience on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more?
Your endorsement will be for a limited tonnage. It stays limited until you complete additional roundtrips, as determined by the OCMI, within the range in § 11.705(b) or (c), as appropriate.
“the endorsement will be for a limited tonnage until the applicant completes a number of additional roundtrips, as determined by the OCMI”
How is tonnage counted for towing vessel experience?
The combined gross tonnage of the towing vessels and the vessels towed will be considered.
“the combined gross tonnage of the towing vessels and the vessels towed will be considered.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.711
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Tonnage requirements
(a) In order to obtain a First-Class Pilot endorsement authorizing service on vessels of unlimited tonnage over a particular route, the applicant must have sufficient experience on vessels of more than 1,600 GRT.
(b) For purposes of this section, an applicant is considered to have sufficient experience if the applicant has 18 months of experience as Master, Mate, quartermaster, wheelsman, Able Seafarer, Apprentice Pilot, or in an equivalent capacity, standing regular watches at the wheel or in the pilothouse as part of routine duties, on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more, and two-thirds of the minimum number of roundtrips required for the route have been on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more.
(c) If an applicant does not have sufficient experience on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more, the endorsement will be for a limited tonnage until the applicant completes a number of additional roundtrips, as determined by the OCMI, within the range contained in § 11.705(b) or (c), as appropriate on vessels of 1,600 GRT or more.
(d) For purposes of this section, for experience with respect to tonnage on towing vessels, the combined gross tonnage of the towing vessels and the vessels towed will be considered. However, the Coast Guard may require that all or a portion of the required number of roundtrips be obtained on self-propelled vessels of 1,600 GRT or more, when the Coast Guard determines that due to the nature of the waters and the overall experience of the applicant, self-propelled vessel experience is necessary to obtain a First-Class Pilot endorsement that is not restricted to tug and barge combinations.
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.