46 CFR 12.705: Cadet endorsements for Maritime Administration-approved training

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers MMCs issued to individuals getting sea service in an approved training curriculum at the United States Merchant Marine Academy or an approved Maritime Academy. Those MMCs include a Cadet-Deck or Cadet-Engine endorsement and Lifeboat Operator. The individual must obtain the sea service as Cadet-Deck or Cadet-Engine.

Applies toIndividuals obtaining sea service as part of an approved training curriculum while enrolled at the United States Merchant Marine Academy or a deck or engineering class of a Maritime Academy approved by the Maritime Administrator and listed in 46 CFR part 310.

What it says

  1. MMCs issued to individuals in an approved training curriculum at the United States Merchant Marine Academy or an approved Maritime Academy will include an endorsement of Cadet-Deck or Cadet-Engine, as appropriate, and Lifeboat Operator.

    “will include an endorsement of Cadet-Deck or Cadet-Engine, as appropriate, and Lifeboat Operator”

  2. The covered Maritime Academy must be approved by and conducted under the rules prescribed by the Maritime Administrator and listed in 46 CFR part 310.

    “approved by and conducted under the rules prescribed by the Maritime Administrator and listed in 46 CFR part 310”

  3. Individuals obtaining sea service as part of such an approved training curriculum must serve as Cadet-Deck or Cadet-Engine, as appropriate.

    “must do so in the capacity of Cadet-Deck or Cadet-Engine, as appropriate,”

  4. This capacity requirement applies even if the individual holds other rating endorsements or previously served in another capacity.

    “notwithstanding any other rating endorsements the individual may hold or any other capacity in which the individual may have previously served”

Common questions

What endorsements does a cadet's MMC include?

An MMC issued to a covered cadet will include a Cadet-Deck or Cadet-Engine endorsement, as appropriate, and Lifeboat Operator.

“will include an endorsement of Cadet-Deck or Cadet-Engine, as appropriate, and Lifeboat Operator”

In what capacity must a cadet get sea service in an approved training program?

The individual must obtain the sea service as Cadet-Deck or Cadet-Engine, as appropriate. This holds regardless of other rating endorsements held or capacities previously served.

“notwithstanding any other rating endorsements the individual may hold or any other capacity in which the individual may have previously served”

The text of 46 CFR 12.705

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

Endorsements for persons enrolled in a Maritime Administration-approved training program

MMCs issued to individuals obtaining sea service as part of an approved training curriculum while enrolled at either the United States Merchant Marine Academy or a deck or engineering class of a Maritime Academy approved by and conducted under the rules prescribed by the Maritime Administrator and listed in 46 CFR part 310 will include an endorsement of Cadet-Deck or Cadet-Engine, as appropriate, and Lifeboat Operator. Individuals obtaining sea service as part of such an approved training curriculum must do so in the capacity of Cadet-Deck or Cadet-Engine, as appropriate, notwithstanding any other rating endorsements the individual may hold or any other capacity in which the individual may have previously served.

Sections it refers to

  • 46 CFR part 310

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.