46 CFR 12.401: General requirements for Able Seafarer endorsements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section defines an Able Seafarer and lists the six endorsement categories. It sets the requirements an applicant must meet to qualify, including age, medical exam, drug test, sea service or training, an exam, lifeboat endorsement and English. It also covers service in the deck department and how the endorsement is written.

Applies toApplicants for, and holders of, a Merchant Mariner Credential endorsed as Able Seafarer.

What it says

  1. An Able Seafarer is any person below officer and above Ordinary Seafarer who holds an MMC endorsed as Able Seafarer by the Coast Guard.

    46 CFR 12.401(a)“An Able Seafarer is any person below officer and above Ordinary Seafarer who holds a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) endorsed as Able Seafarer by the Coast Guard.”

  2. The Able Seafarer endorsement has six categories: Unlimited, Limited, Special, OSV, Sail and Fishing Industry.

    46 CFR 12.401(b)“The following categories of Able Seafarer endorsements are established:”

  3. An applicant for an Able Seafarer endorsement must be at least 18 years of age.

    46 CFR 12.401(c)(1)“Be at least 18 years of age;”

  4. An applicant must provide evidence of having passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs, or of qualifying for an exemption from testing as described in § 16.220 of this subchapter.

    46 CFR 12.401(c)(3)“Provide evidence of having passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs or of qualifying for an exemption from testing as described in § 16.220 of this subchapter;”

  5. An applicant must qualify for an endorsement as Lifeboat Operator or Lifeboat Operator-Limited.

    46 CFR 12.401(c)(6)“Qualify for an endorsement as Lifeboat Operator or Lifeboat Operator-Limited; and”

  6. An applicant must speak and understand English as would be required in performing the general duties of Able Seafarer and during an emergency aboard ship.

    46 CFR 12.401(c)(7)“Speak and understand the English language as would be required in performing the general duties of Able Seafarer and during an emergency aboard ship.”

  7. The holder of an MMC or MMD endorsed as Able Seafarer may serve in any deck department rating without another endorsement, provided the holder has the appropriate Able Seafarer endorsement for the service of the vessel.

    46 CFR 12.401(d)(1)“The holder of an MMC or MMD endorsed for the rating of Able Seafarer may serve in any rating in the deck department without obtaining an additional endorsement, provided—”

  8. The holder must also have the appropriate STCW endorsement when serving as an Able Seafarer-Deck or Ratings Forming Part of the Navigational Watch (RFPNW) on a seagoing ship.

    46 CFR 12.401(d)(1)(ii)“That the holder possesses the appropriate STCW endorsement when serving as an Able Seafarer-Deck or Ratings Forming Part of the Navigational Watch (RFPNW) on a seagoing ship.”

Common questions

How old must I be to get an Able Seafarer endorsement?

An applicant must be at least 18 years of age.

“Be at least 18 years of age;”

What are the categories of Able Seafarer endorsement?

The text lists six categories: Unlimited, Limited, Special, OSV, Sail and Fishing Industry.

“The following categories of Able Seafarer endorsements are established:”

Does an Able Seafarer need a separate endorsement to serve in other deck ratings?

No, the holder may serve in any deck department rating without an additional endorsement, provided the holder has the appropriate Able Seafarer endorsement for the service of the vessel. The holder also needs the appropriate STCW endorsement when serving as an Able Seafarer-Deck or RFPNW on a seagoing ship.

“That the holder possesses the appropriate STCW endorsement when serving as an Able Seafarer-Deck or Ratings Forming Part of the Navigational Watch (RFPNW) on a seagoing ship.”

Do I need a lifeboat endorsement for Able Seafarer?

Yes, an applicant must qualify for a Lifeboat Operator or Lifeboat Operator-Limited endorsement, and the Able Seafarer MMC will also carry that endorsement.

“Qualify for an endorsement as Lifeboat Operator or Lifeboat Operator-Limited; and”

The text of 46 CFR 12.401

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

General requirements for Able Seafarer endorsements

(a) General. An Able Seafarer is any person below officer and above Ordinary Seafarer who holds a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) endorsed as Able Seafarer by the Coast Guard.

(b) Categories. The following categories of Able Seafarer endorsements are established:

(1) Able Seafarer-Unlimited.

(2) Able Seafarer-Limited.

(3) Able Seafarer-Special.

(4) Able Seafarer-OSV.

(5) Able Seafarer-Sail.

(6) Able Seafarer-Fishing Industry.

(c) Requirements for certification. To qualify for an endorsement as Able Seafarer, an applicant must—

(1) Be at least 18 years of age;

(2) Pass the prescribed physical and medical examination requirements specified in 46 CFR, part 10, subpart C;

(3) Provide evidence of having passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs or of qualifying for an exemption from testing as described in § 16.220 of this subchapter;

(4) Meet the sea service or training requirements set forth in this part;

(5) Pass an examination for Able Seafarer;

(6) Qualify for an endorsement as Lifeboat Operator or Lifeboat Operator-Limited; and

(7) Speak and understand the English language as would be required in performing the general duties of Able Seafarer and during an emergency aboard ship.

(d) Additional requirements. (1) The holder of an MMC or MMD endorsed for the rating of Able Seafarer may serve in any rating in the deck department without obtaining an additional endorsement, provided—

(i) That the holder possesses the appropriate Able Seafarer endorsement for the service of the vessel; and

(ii) That the holder possesses the appropriate STCW endorsement when serving as an Able Seafarer-Deck or Ratings Forming Part of the Navigational Watch (RFPNW) on a seagoing ship.

(2) Any MMC endorsed as Able Seafarer will also be endorsed as Lifeboat Operator or Lifeboat Operator-Limited, as appropriate.

(3) The Able Seafarer endorsement will clearly describe the type of rating that it represents (see paragraph (a) of this section).

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 March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.