46 CFR 12.609: STCW endorsement as Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets the requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement as Ratings Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (RFPEW). An applicant must be old enough, show sea service or approved training, and meet the standard of competence in Table A-III/4 of the STCW Code. The Coast Guard may grant exemptions, and endorsements carry propulsion and equipment limitations.

Applies toApplicants for an STCW endorsement as RFPEW in a manned engineroom or for designation to perform duties in a periodically unmanned engineroom.

What it says

  1. An applicant must be not less than 16 years of age.

    46 CFR 12.609(a)(1)“Be not less than 16 years of age;”

  2. An applicant may show six months of seagoing service that includes engine room training and experience, with duties performed under the supervision of an engineer officer or a qualified STCW rating.

    46 CFR 12.609(a)(2)(i)“Six months of seagoing service, which includes training and experience associated with engine room functions, and involves the performance of duties carried out under the supervision of an engineer officer or a qualified STCW rating; or”

  3. Instead of that service, an applicant may show proof of completing Coast Guard-approved or -accepted training that includes not less than 2 months approved seagoing service.

    46 CFR 12.609(a)(2)(ii)“Proof of successful completion of a Coast Guard-approved or -accepted training, which includes not less than 2 months approved seagoing service; and”

  4. An applicant must provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence in Table A-III/4 of the STCW Code, which is incorporated by reference as described in § 12.103 of this part.

    46 CFR 12.609(a)(3)“Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence as specified in Table A-III/4 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 12.103 of this part).”

  5. The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency items in Section A-III/4 of the STCW Code. The Coast Guard must approve these exemptions based on vessel type, and the endorsement may include a corresponding limitation.

    46 CFR 12.609(b)“These exemptions must be approved by the Coast Guard based upon vessel type.”

  6. Seafarers with certain national rating endorsements are eligible once they complete the requirements designated in this section; the table lists any QMED with no added service and a Wiper with 6 months.

    46 CFR 12.609(c)“Seafarers with the following national rating endorsements will be eligible for this endorsement upon completion of requirements designated in this section:”

  7. RFPEW endorsements will be restricted to specific propulsion modes for steam, motor, or gas turbine-propelled vessels, as appropriate.

    46 CFR 12.609(d)(1)“STCW RFPEW endorsements issued in accordance with this section will be restricted to specific propulsion modes for steam, motor, or gas turbine-propelled vessels, as appropriate.”

  8. Endorsements for motor or gas turbine-propelled vessels may be limited to vessels without auxiliary boilers, waste-heat boilers, or distilling plants. An applicant may qualify for removal of any of these limitations by demonstrating the appropriate competencies.

    46 CFR 12.609(d)(2)“An applicant may qualify for removal of any of these limitations by demonstrating the appropriate competencies.”

Common questions

How old must I be for an STCW RFPEW endorsement?

An applicant must be not less than 16 years of age.

“Be not less than 16 years of age;”

How much sea service do I need for an RFPEW endorsement?

An applicant needs six months of seagoing service with engine room training and experience under supervision. Alternatively, the applicant may complete Coast Guard-approved or -accepted training that includes not less than 2 months approved seagoing service.

“Proof of successful completion of a Coast Guard-approved or -accepted training, which includes not less than 2 months approved seagoing service; and”

Can an RFPEW endorsement have limitations?

Yes. Endorsements are restricted to specific propulsion modes, and those for motor or gas turbine vessels may be limited to vessels without auxiliary boilers, waste-heat boilers, or distilling plants.

“STCW RFPEW endorsements issued in accordance with this section for motor or gas turbine-propelled vessels may be endorsed as limited to serve on vessels without auxiliary boilers, waste-heat boilers, or distilling plants.”

The text of 46 CFR 12.609

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of October 1, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement as Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 60884, Sept. 25, 2026.

(a) To qualify for an STCW endorsement as Ratings Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (RFPEW) in a manned engineroom or to qualify to be designated to perform duties in a periodically unmanned engineroom, an applicant must—

(1) Be not less than 16 years of age;

(2) Provide evidence of service as follows:

(i) Six months of seagoing service, which includes training and experience associated with engine room functions, and involves the performance of duties carried out under the supervision of an engineer officer or a qualified STCW rating; or

(ii) Proof of successful completion of a Coast Guard-approved or -accepted training, which includes not less than 2 months approved seagoing service; and

(3) Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence as specified in Table A-III/4 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 12.103 of this part).

(b) The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from meeting any individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency required in Section A-III/4 of the STCW Code. These exemptions must be approved by the Coast Guard based upon vessel type. Under these circumstances, the endorsement may include a corresponding limitation.

(c) Seafarers with the following national rating endorsements will be eligible for this endorsement upon completion of requirements designated in this section:

Table 1 to § 12.609(c)—STCW Endorsement as RFPEW Entry path from nationalendorsements Sea service under authority of the endorsement 1 Competence—STCW Table A-III/4 2 Any QMED None Y Wiper 6 months Y 1 This column provides the minimum additional service required of the seafarer in order to meet the requirements of this section. 2 Complete any items in paragraph (a)(3) of this section not previously satisfied.

(d) Limitations. (1) STCW RFPEW endorsements issued in accordance with this section will be restricted to specific propulsion modes for steam, motor, or gas turbine-propelled vessels, as appropriate.

(2) STCW RFPEW endorsements issued in accordance with this section for motor or gas turbine-propelled vessels may be endorsed as limited to serve on vessels without auxiliary boilers, waste-heat boilers, or distilling plants. An applicant may qualify for removal of any of these limitations by demonstrating the appropriate competencies.

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 October 1, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.