46 CFR 13.601: General rules for STCW tank vessel endorsements
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers STCW tank vessel endorsements for service on seagoing vessels. Applicants must meet the training and service requirements and the standard of competence in the STCW Code. The section lists the proof of competence the Coast Guard will accept.
Applies toApplicants for an STCW tank vessel endorsement, and applicants for any STCW endorsement as to the national endorsement requirement.
What it says
When all tank vessel endorsements are issued, renewed, or otherwise modified, the Coast Guard will determine, upon request, whether the applicant meets the requirements for an STCW tank vessel endorsement for service on seagoing vessels.
46 CFR 13.601(a)“the Coast Guard will determine, upon request, whether the applicant meets the requirements for an STCW tank vessel endorsement for service on seagoing vessels”
An applicant for any STCW endorsement must hold the appropriate national endorsement unless otherwise specified.
46 CFR 13.601(a)“An applicant for any STCW endorsement must hold the appropriate national endorsement unless otherwise specified.”
Applicants for an STCW tank vessel endorsement must meet the training and service requirements for the endorsement sought.
46 CFR 13.601(b)(1)“Meet the training and service requirements for the endorsement sought; and”
Applicants for an STCW tank vessel endorsement must also meet the appropriate standard of competence identified in the STCW Code, which is incorporated by reference as described in § 13.103.
46 CFR 13.601(b)(2)“Meet the appropriate standard of competence identified in the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 13.103).”
The Coast Guard will accept in-service experience as proof of competence, shown by documentation of successful assessments that the Coast Guard approved or accepted and a qualified assessor signed.
46 CFR 13.601(c)(1)“Documentation of successful completion of assessments, approved or accepted by the Coast Guard, and signed by a qualified assessor, deck or engineering, as appropriate.”
The Coast Guard will accept documentation of successful completion of training and assessment from a Coast Guard-approved course involving maritime simulation as proof of competence.
46 CFR 13.601(c)(3)“Documentation of successful completion of training and assessment from a Coast Guard-approved course involving maritime simulation.”
Organizations may develop alternative assessment documentation for demonstrations of competence, but the Coast Guard must approve it prior to its use and submittal with an application.
46 CFR 13.601(d)“such documentation must be approved by the Coast Guard prior to its use and submittal with an application.”
Common questions
What must I meet to get an STCW tank vessel endorsement?
You must meet the training and service requirements for the endorsement sought. You must also meet the appropriate standard of competence identified in the STCW Code.
“Meet the appropriate standard of competence identified in the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 13.103).”
Do I need a national endorsement before an STCW endorsement?
Yes, an applicant for any STCW endorsement must hold the appropriate national endorsement unless otherwise specified.
“An applicant for any STCW endorsement must hold the appropriate national endorsement unless otherwise specified.”
Can simulator training count as proof of competence for a tank vessel endorsement?
Yes. The Coast Guard will accept documentation of successful completion of training and assessment from a Coast Guard-approved course involving maritime simulation.
“Documentation of successful completion of training and assessment from a Coast Guard-approved course involving maritime simulation.”
Can an organization use its own assessment documentation?
Yes, organizations may develop alternative assessment documentation, but the Coast Guard must approve it prior to its use and submittal with an application.
“Organizations may develop alternative assessment documentation for demonstrations of competence; however, such documentation must be approved by the Coast Guard”
The text of 46 CFR 13.601
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
General
(a) When all tank vessel endorsements are issued, renewed, or otherwise modified, the Coast Guard will determine, upon request, whether the applicant meets the requirements for an STCW tank vessel endorsement for service on seagoing vessels. If the applicant is qualified, the Coast Guard will issue the appropriate endorsement. An applicant for any STCW endorsement must hold the appropriate national endorsement unless otherwise specified.
(b) Applicants for an STCW tank vessel endorsement must—
(1) Meet the training and service requirements for the endorsement sought; and
(2) Meet the appropriate standard of competence identified in the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 13.103).
(c) The Coast Guard will accept the following as proof of meeting the standards of competence:
(1) In-service experience: Documentation of successful completion of assessments, approved or accepted by the Coast Guard, and signed by a qualified assessor, deck or engineering, as appropriate.
(2) Training ship experience: Documentation of successful completion of an approved training program involving formal training and assessment onboard a school ship.
(3) Simulator training: Documentation of successful completion of training and assessment from a Coast Guard-approved course involving maritime simulation.
(4) Training program: Documentation of successful completion of an approved training program involving formal training and assessments.
(d) The Coast Guard will publish guidelines that should be used to document successful demonstrations of competence. Organizations may develop alternative assessment documentation for demonstrations of competence; however, such documentation must be approved by the Coast Guard prior to its use and submittal with an application.
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.