46 CFR 13.603: STCW endorsement for Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets out how an applicant qualifies for an STCW endorsement in Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations. The general route needs a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-PIC Dangerous Liquids (DL), the STCW standards of competence, and 90 days of sea service on oil tankers. Separate routes cover non-self-propelled vessels, maintenance and repair of cargo equipment, and holders of other advanced tanker endorsements.

Applies toApplicants for an STCW endorsement in Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations, including limited endorsements and applicants holding certain other advanced tanker endorsements.

What it says

  1. An applicant must qualify for a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-PIC Dangerous Liquids (DL).

    46 CFR 13.603(a)(1)“Qualify for a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-PIC Dangerous Liquids (DL);”

  2. An applicant must meet the standards of competence in Table A-V/1-1-2 of the STCW Code, which is incorporated by reference as described in § 13.103.

    46 CFR 13.603(a)(2)“Meet the standards of competence identified in Table A-V/1-1-2 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 13.103); and”

  3. An applicant must provide evidence of 90 days of sea service onboard oil tankers. The Coast Guard will accept service submitted for the national endorsement required in § 13.203, if that service was on oil tankers.

    46 CFR 13.603(a)(3)“Provide evidence of 90 days of sea service onboard oil tankers.”

  4. An applicant may qualify with a limitation to non-self-propelled vessels. This requires a national endorsement as Tank Barge-PIC DL, evidence of meeting Table A-V/1-1-2 standards, and at least 90 days of shore-based or vessel-based service on one or more oil tankers.

    46 CFR 13.603(b)(3)“Provide evidence of at least 90 days of service, whether shore-based or vessel-based, on one or more oil tankers.”

  5. An applicant may qualify with a limitation to maintenance and repair of cargo equipment. This requires a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-Engineer and evidence of meeting the Table A-V/1-1-2 standards applicable to maintenance and repair of cargo equipment.

    46 CFR 13.603(c)(1)“Qualify for a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-Engineer;”

  6. For the maintenance and repair limitation, the applicant must show at least 90 days as an engineering officer on oil tankers, at least 90 days of rating or cadet service on deck or in the engine department on oil tankers, or a combination of both.

    46 CFR 13.603(c)(3)(ii)“At least 90 days of rating or cadet service on deck or in the engine department on oil tankers; or”

  7. Holders of an Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations or Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations endorsement may qualify by completing an approved training program onboard oil tankers in a supernumerary capacity. The program must be at least 1 month and include at least three loading and three discharge operations.

    46 CFR 13.603(d)“The program must be at least 1 month and include at least three loading and three discharge operations.”

Common questions

How many days of sea service do I need for an Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations endorsement?

An applicant under the general route must provide evidence of 90 days of sea service onboard oil tankers. The Coast Guard will accept service submitted for the national endorsement required in § 13.203 if it was on oil tankers.

“The Coast Guard will accept service submitted to qualify for a national endorsement as required in § 13.203, provided that the service was on oil tankers.”

Can I get an Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations endorsement limited to barges?

Yes. Applicants may qualify with a limitation to non-self-propelled vessels if they meet the requirements in paragraph (b).

“Applicants may qualify for an endorsement in Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations with a limitation to non-self-propelled vessels.”

Is there a shortcut if I already hold an Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations endorsement?

Yes. You may qualify by completing, in a supernumerary capacity, an approved training program onboard oil tankers. The program must be at least 1 month and include at least three loading and three discharge operations.

“Applicants holding an endorsement in Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations or Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations may qualify for an endorsement in Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations”

The text of 46 CFR 13.603

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

Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement for Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations

(a) Every applicant for an endorsement in Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations must—

(1) Qualify for a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-PIC Dangerous Liquids (DL);

(2) Meet the standards of competence identified in Table A-V/1-1-2 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 13.103); and

(3) Provide evidence of 90 days of sea service onboard oil tankers. The Coast Guard will accept service submitted to qualify for a national endorsement as required in § 13.203, provided that the service was on oil tankers.

(b) Applicants may qualify for an endorsement in Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations with a limitation to non-self-propelled vessels. To qualify for this endorsement, an applicant must—

(1) Hold a national endorsement as Tank Barge-PIC DL;

(2) Provide evidence of meeting the standards of competence identified in Table A-V/1-1-2 of the STCW Code; and

(3) Provide evidence of at least 90 days of service, whether shore-based or vessel-based, on one or more oil tankers. The Coast Guard will accept service submitted to qualify for a national endorsement required in § 13.303, provided that the service was on oil tankers.

(c) Applicants may qualify for an endorsement in Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations with a limitation to maintenance and repair of cargo equipment. To qualify for this endorsement, an applicant must—

(1) Qualify for a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-Engineer;

(2) Provide evidence of meeting the standards of competence identified in Table A-V/1-1-2 of the STCW Code applicable to maintenance and repair of cargo equipment; and

(3) Provide evidence of—

(i) At least 90 days of service as an engineering officer on oil tankers;

(ii) At least 90 days of rating or cadet service on deck or in the engine department on oil tankers; or

(iii) A combination of the service in paragraphs (c)(3)(i) and (c)(3)(ii) of this section.

(d) Applicants holding an endorsement in Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations or Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations may qualify for an endorsement in Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations by completing, in a supernumerary capacity, an approved training program onboard oil tankers. The program must be at least 1 month and include at least three loading and three discharge operations.

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.