46 CFR 11.821: High-speed craft type-rating endorsements
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers the High-Speed Craft Type-Rating endorsement (TRE) for vessels built and operated under the HSC Code. An applicant must hold a valid officer endorsement and show completion of a Coast Guard-approved Type Rating training program. A TRE is valid for 2 years and has its own renewal rules.
Applies toThis section applies only to persons who will serve or have served upon vessels built and operated in accordance with the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC Code).
What it says
An applicant for a TRE must hold a valid officer endorsement for vessels of commensurate grade, tonnage, route, and/or horsepower.
46 CFR 11.821(b)(1)“Hold a valid officer endorsement for vessels of commensurate grade, tonnage, route, and/or horsepower; and”
An applicant for a TRE must provide evidence of successful completion of a Coast Guard-approved Type Rating training program.
46 CFR 11.821(b)(2)“Provide evidence of successful completion of a Coast Guard-approved Type Rating training program.”
A separate TRE will be issued for each type and class of high-speed craft.
46 CFR 11.821(c)“A separate TRE will be issued for each type and class of high-speed craft.”
Additional routes may be added to an existing TRE by completing at least 12 roundtrips over each route under the supervision of a type-rated Master on the class of high speed craft the TRE will be valid for.
46 CFR 11.821(c)“Additional routes may be added to an existing TRE by completing at least 12 roundtrips over each route under the supervision of a type-rated Master”
Six of the trips must be made during the hours of darkness, or a "daylight only" restriction will be imposed.
46 CFR 11.821(c)“Six of the trips must be made during the hours of darkness or a “daylight only” restriction will be imposed.”
A TRE is valid for 2 years, and adding routes does not change its expiration date.
46 CFR 11.821(d)“A TRE will be valid for 2 years. The expiration date of a TRE will not be changed due to the addition of additional routes.”
To renew a TRE, an applicant must show at least 6 months of service in the appropriate position on the type crafts during the preceding 2 years, including at least 12 roundtrips over each route, plus a completed revalidation assessment.
46 CFR 11.821(e)(1)“At least 6 months of service in the appropriate position on the type crafts to which the TRE applies during the preceding 2 years, including at least 12 roundtrips over each route,”
Instead of the service evidence, an applicant may renew a TRE by showing completion of an approved revalidation training program.
46 CFR 11.821(e)(2)“Completion of an approved revalidation training program.”
Common questions
How long is a high-speed craft type-rating endorsement valid?
A TRE is valid for 2 years. Adding routes does not change the expiration date.
“A TRE will be valid for 2 years. The expiration date of a TRE will not be changed due to the addition of additional routes.”
What do I need to get a high-speed craft TRE?
You must hold a valid officer endorsement for vessels of commensurate grade, tonnage, route, and/or horsepower. You must also provide evidence of completing a Coast Guard-approved Type Rating training program.
“Provide evidence of successful completion of a Coast Guard-approved Type Rating training program.”
How do I add a route to my TRE?
You must complete at least 12 roundtrips over each route under the supervision of a type-rated Master. Six of the trips must be made in darkness, or a daylight only restriction will be imposed.
“Six of the trips must be made during the hours of darkness or a “daylight only” restriction will be imposed.”
Who does the TRE section apply to?
It applies only to persons who will serve or have served on vessels built and operated in accordance with the HSC Code.
“This section is only applicable to those persons who will be serving or have served upon those vessels built and operated in accordance with the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC Code).”
The text of 46 CFR 11.821
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
High-Speed Craft Type-Rating
(a) This section is only applicable to those persons who will be serving or have served upon those vessels built and operated in accordance with the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC Code).
(b) To qualify for a High-Speed Craft Type-Rating endorsement (TRE) for operating vessels to which the HSC Code applies, an applicant must—
(1) Hold a valid officer endorsement for vessels of commensurate grade, tonnage, route, and/or horsepower; and
(2) Provide evidence of successful completion of a Coast Guard-approved Type Rating training program.
(c) A separate TRE will be issued for each type and class of high-speed craft. The original route will be as specified in the approved type rating program. Additional routes may be added to an existing TRE by completing at least 12 roundtrips over each route under the supervision of a type-rated Master on the class of high speed craft the TRE will be valid for. Six of the trips must be made during the hours of darkness or a “daylight only” restriction will be imposed.
(d) A TRE will be valid for 2 years. The expiration date of a TRE will not be changed due to the addition of additional routes.
(e) To renew a TRE, an applicant must provide evidence of—
(1) At least 6 months of service in the appropriate position on the type crafts to which the TRE applies during the preceding 2 years, including at least 12 roundtrips over each route, together with evidence of a completed revalidation assessment; or
(2) Completion of an approved revalidation training program.
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.