46 CFR 15.901: Serving on other vessels without further endorsement

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lets holders of certain MMC endorsements serve on other vessel types without further endorsement. Each authorization works only within any restrictions on the individual's MMC. Paragraph (a) covers Mates and Pilots serving as Master on small inspected vessels, and paragraphs (b) through (d) cover Masters and Mates serving on other vessel types.

Applies toIndividuals holding an MMC with the endorsements named in each paragraph: Mate or Pilot in paragraph (a), and Master or Mate in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d).

What it says

  1. An individual with an MMC endorsed as Mate or Pilot of inspected, self-propelled vessels of 200 GRT or more may serve as Master on inspected vessels of less than 100 GRT, within any restrictions on the MMC, without further endorsement.

    46 CFR 15.901(a)“An individual holding an MMC endorsed as Mate or Pilot of inspected, self-propelled vessels of 200 GRT or more is authorized to serve as Master on inspected vessels of less than 100 GRT”

  2. An individual with an MMC endorsed as Master or Mate of inspected self-propelled vessels may serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of non-self-propelled vessels other than sail vessels, within any restrictions on the MMC, without further endorsement.

    46 CFR 15.901(b)“An individual holding an MMC endorsed as Master or Mate of inspected self-propelled vessels is authorized to serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of non-self-propelled vessels other than sail vessels”

  3. An individual with an MMC endorsed as Master or Mate of inspected sail vessels may serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of other non-self-propelled vessels, within any restrictions on the MMC, without further endorsement.

    46 CFR 15.901(c)“An individual holding an MMC endorsed as Master or Mate of inspected sail vessels is authorized to serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of other non-self-propelled vessels”

  4. An individual with an MMC endorsed as Master or Mate of inspected auxiliary sail vessels may serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of self-propelled and non-self-propelled vessels, within any restrictions on the MMC, without further endorsement.

    46 CFR 15.901(d)“is authorized to serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of self-propelled and non-self-propelled vessels, within any restrictions on the individual's MMC, without further endorsement.”

Common questions

Can a Mate or Pilot of a 200 GRT or more vessel serve as Master of a vessel under 100 GRT?

Yes. The holder of an MMC endorsed as Mate or Pilot of inspected, self-propelled vessels of 200 GRT or more may serve as Master on inspected vessels of less than 100 GRT, within any restrictions on the MMC, without further endorsement.

“An individual holding an MMC endorsed as Mate or Pilot of inspected, self-propelled vessels of 200 GRT or more is authorized to serve as Master on inspected vessels of less than 100 GRT”

Can a Master or Mate of an inspected self-propelled vessel serve on a non-self-propelled vessel?

Yes, unless the vessel is a sail vessel. The holder may serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of non-self-propelled vessels other than sail vessels, within any restrictions on the MMC.

“An individual holding an MMC endorsed as Master or Mate of inspected self-propelled vessels is authorized to serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of non-self-propelled vessels other than sail vessels”

What may a Master or Mate of inspected auxiliary sail vessels serve on?

That individual may serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of self-propelled and non-self-propelled vessels. This applies within any restrictions on the MMC and without further endorsement.

“is authorized to serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of self-propelled and non-self-propelled vessels, within any restrictions on the individual's MMC, without further endorsement.”

The text of 46 CFR 15.901

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

Inspected vessels of less than 100 GRT

(a) An individual holding an MMC endorsed as Mate or Pilot of inspected, self-propelled vessels of 200 GRT or more is authorized to serve as Master on inspected vessels of less than 100 GRT within any restrictions on the individual's MMC, without further endorsement.

(b) An individual holding an MMC endorsed as Master or Mate of inspected self-propelled vessels is authorized to serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of non-self-propelled vessels other than sail vessels, within any restrictions on the individual's MMC, without further endorsement.

(c) An individual holding an MMC endorsed as Master or Mate of inspected sail vessels is authorized to serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of other non-self-propelled vessels, within any restrictions on the individual's MMC, without further endorsement.

(d) An individual holding an MMC endorsed as Master or Mate of inspected auxiliary sail vessels, is authorized to serve as Master or Mate, respectively, of self-propelled and non-self-propelled vessels, within any restrictions on the individual's MMC, without further endorsement.

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.