46 CFR 13.401: Requirements for Tank Vessel-Assistant endorsement applicants
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the requirements for each applicant for a Tank Vessel-Assistant endorsement. An applicant must be at least 18 years old, apply on a Coast Guard form, and provide evidence of a medical exam, firefighting training, and either tankship familiarization or deck service. The applicant must also be capable of speaking and understanding English for cargo transfers.
Applies toEach applicant for a Tank Vessel-Assistant endorsement.
What it says
The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
46 CFR 13.401(a)“Be at least 18 years old;”
The applicant must apply on a form provided by the Coast Guard.
46 CFR 13.401(b)“Apply on a form provided by the Coast Guard;”
The applicant must provide evidence of passing a physical and medical examination according to § 13.125.
46 CFR 13.401(c)“Provide evidence of passing a physical and medical examination according to § 13.125;”
The applicant must provide evidence of completing an approved firefighting course on the subjects in table 3 to § 13.121(e), completed within 5 years of the date of application. This does not apply if the applicant previously submitted such a certificate for a tank vessel endorsement or officer endorsement on an MMC.
46 CFR 13.401(d)“completed within 5 years of the date of application for the endorsement, unless they have previously submitted such a certificate for a tank vessel endorsement or officer endorsement on an MMC;”
One option is to provide evidence of completing an approved Tankship Familiarization course on the subjects in table 1 to § 13.121(e) within the previous 5 years.
46 CFR 13.401(e)(1)“Completion of an approved Tankship Familiarization course providing training in the subjects identified in table 1 to § 13.121(e) within the previous 5 years.”
A course certificate used for original issuance or renewal of an endorsement cannot be used for a subsequent renewal of the same endorsement.
46 CFR 13.401(e)(1)“A course certificate used for original issuance or renewal of an endorsement cannot be used for a subsequent renewal of the same endorsement;”
The other option is to provide evidence of at least 90 days of deck service on tankships or self-propelled tank vessels certified to carry DL or LG appropriate to the endorsement applied for, and to successfully complete a professional examination on the topics in table 1 to § 13.121(e).
46 CFR 13.401(e)(2)“At least 90 days of deck service on tankships or self-propelled tank vessels certified to carry DL or LG appropriate to the endorsement applied for”
The applicant must be capable of speaking and understanding, in English, all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a transfer of cargo.
46 CFR 13.401(f)“Be capable of speaking and understanding, in English, all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a transfer of cargo.”
Common questions
How old must I be to get a Tank Vessel-Assistant endorsement?
An applicant must be at least 18 years old.
“Be at least 18 years old;”
Do I need a firefighting course for a Tank Vessel-Assistant endorsement?
Yes, the applicant must provide evidence of an approved firefighting course completed within 5 years of the application date. The exception is an applicant who previously submitted such a certificate for a tank vessel endorsement or officer endorsement on an MMC.
“completed within 5 years of the date of application for the endorsement, unless they have previously submitted such a certificate for a tank vessel endorsement or officer endorsement on an MMC;”
Can I use deck service instead of a Tankship Familiarization course?
Yes. The applicant may instead show at least 90 days of deck service on qualifying vessels and successfully complete a professional examination on the topics in table 1 to § 13.121(e).
“At least 90 days of deck service on tankships or self-propelled tank vessels certified to carry DL or LG appropriate to the endorsement applied for”
The text of 46 CFR 13.401
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Original application for Tank Vessel-Assistant endorsement
Each applicant for a Tank Vessel-Assistant endorsement must—
(a) Be at least 18 years old;
(b) Apply on a form provided by the Coast Guard;
(c) Provide evidence of passing a physical and medical examination according to § 13.125;
(d) Provide evidence of completion of an approved firefighting course providing training in the subjects identified in table 3 to § 13.121(e) completed within 5 years of the date of application for the endorsement, unless they have previously submitted such a certificate for a tank vessel endorsement or officer endorsement on an MMC;
(e) Provide evidence of either—
(1) Completion of an approved Tankship Familiarization course providing training in the subjects identified in table 1 to § 13.121(e) within the previous 5 years. A course certificate used for original issuance or renewal of an endorsement cannot be used for a subsequent renewal of the same endorsement; or
(2) At least 90 days of deck service on tankships or self-propelled tank vessels certified to carry DL or LG appropriate to the endorsement applied for and successfully complete a professional examination for the topics identified in table 1 to § 13.121(e); and
(f) Be capable of speaking and understanding, in English, all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a transfer of cargo.
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.