46 CFR 13.505: Proof of service for Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says how an applicant proves service for a Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement. The applicant may provide evidence in a method prescribed by the Coast Guard, or may prove service by certificates of discharge. Either way, the proof must reflect the cargo classification (DL, LG, or both).

Applies toApplicants for a Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement who must prove service on tankships or self-propelled tank vessels.

What it says

  1. The applicant must provide evidence of service in a method prescribed by the Coast Guard, from the owner, operator, Master, or Chief Engineer of a tankship or self-propelled tank vessel.

    46 CFR 13.505(a)“Provide evidence in a method prescribed by the Coast Guard of proof of service from the owner, operator, Master, or Chief Engineer of a tankship or self-propelled tank vessel.”

  2. The evidence must specify the classification of cargo (DL, LG, or both) carried while the applicant accumulated the service.

    46 CFR 13.505(a)(1)“The classification of cargo (DL, LG, or both) carried while the applicant accumulated the service; and”

  3. The evidence must specify the number of days of officer, rating, and cadet service in the engine department on tankships or self-propelled tank vessels.

    46 CFR 13.505(a)(2)“The number of days of officer, rating, and cadet service in the engine department on tankships or self-propelled tank vessels; or”

  4. Service must be proved by certificates of discharge from tankships or self-propelled tank vessels with the appropriate classification of cargo (DL, LG, or both).

    46 CFR 13.505(b)“Service must be proved by certificates of discharge from tankships or self-propelled tank vessels with the appropriate classification of cargo (DL, LG, or both).”

Common questions

Who can provide proof of service for a Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement?

Proof of service can come from the owner, operator, Master, or Chief Engineer of a tankship or self-propelled tank vessel. It must be provided in a method prescribed by the Coast Guard.

“Provide evidence in a method prescribed by the Coast Guard of proof of service from the owner, operator, Master, or Chief Engineer of a tankship or self-propelled tank vessel.”

What must the service evidence say about cargo?

The evidence must specify the classification of cargo (DL, LG, or both) carried while the applicant accumulated the service.

“The classification of cargo (DL, LG, or both) carried while the applicant accumulated the service; and”

Can certificates of discharge prove service for a Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement?

Yes. Service must be proved by certificates of discharge from tankships or self-propelled tank vessels with the appropriate classification of cargo (DL, LG, or both).

“Service must be proved by certificates of discharge from tankships or self-propelled tank vessels with the appropriate classification of cargo (DL, LG, or both).”

The text of 46 CFR 13.505

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

Proof of service for Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement

(a) Provide evidence in a method prescribed by the Coast Guard of proof of service from the owner, operator, Master, or Chief Engineer of a tankship or self-propelled tank vessel. The evidence must specify—

(1) The classification of cargo (DL, LG, or both) carried while the applicant accumulated the service; and

(2) The number of days of officer, rating, and cadet service in the engine department on tankships or self-propelled tank vessels; or

(b) Service must be proved by certificates of discharge from tankships or self-propelled tank vessels with the appropriate classification of cargo (DL, LG, or both).

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.