NVIC 01-24: Lifeboatman and survival craft endorsement guidelines

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This NVIC is Coast Guard guidance on qualifying for and renewing national Lifeboatman endorsements and STCW survival craft endorsements. The Coast Guard will use it with named sections of 46 CFR when deciding whether candidates are qualified. It is guidance and does not impose legally-binding requirements.

What it says

  1. The Coast Guard will use this NVIC with 46 CFR 12.407 and 12.409 when deciding whether candidates qualify for national LB and LB-LTD endorsements.

    “The Coast Guard will use this NVIC and 46 CFR 12.407 and 12.409 when”

  2. The Coast Guard will use this NVIC with 46 CFR 12.613 and 12.615 when deciding whether candidates qualify for STCW PSC and PSC-LTD endorsements.

    “The Coast Guard will also use this NVIC and 46 CFR 12.613 and 12.615 when”

  3. The Coast Guard will not enforce the regulation that requires a demonstration of rowing a lifeboat to qualify for LB and PSC endorsements.

    NVIC 01-24 a.“the Coast Guard will not enforce the regulation requiring a demonstration of this outdated practice to qualify for endorsements for LB and PSC.”

  4. The Coast Guard will continue to test mariners' knowledge of rowing by written examination, given by the Coast Guard or as part of a Coast Guard approved course.

    NVIC 01-24 a.“The Coast Guard will continue to test mariners’ knowledge of this subject by written examination”

  5. Assessors are encouraged to use the guidelines in Enclosure (3) when assessing practical demonstrations of skills.

    NVIC 01-24 b.“assessors are encouraged to use the guidelines in Enclosure (3).”

  6. Absent approval from the National Maritime Center (NMC), shipboard assessors should make only minor changes to the Enclosure (3) assessments to reflect differences in equipment and operating procedures.

    NVIC 01-24 b.“Shipboard assessors should only make minor changes to the assessments in Enclosure (3) to reflect differences in equipment and operating procedures.”

  7. Training providers submitting a course for Coast Guard approval should state that the Enclosure (3) guidelines will apply or provide the guidelines they propose to use.

    NVIC 01-24 c.“should state either that the guidelines in Enclosure (3) will apply or provide the guidelines it proposes to use.”

Common questions

Is this NVIC a regulation?

No. The NVIC says it is not a regulation and does not impose legally-binding requirements on any party.

“It is not intended to, nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party.”

Do I have to demonstrate rowing a lifeboat to get an LB or PSC endorsement?

The Coast Guard will not enforce the regulation requiring a rowing demonstration. It will test knowledge of the subject by written examination.

“the Coast Guard will not enforce the regulation requiring a demonstration of this outdated practice to qualify for endorsements for LB and PSC.”

Which NVIC does NVIC 01-24 cancel?

It cancels NVIC 04-14, Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other Than Fast Rescue Boats.

“This NVIC cancels NVIC 04-14”

Who do I contact to get approval for alternative assessments or a course?

To obtain approval for alternative assessments or a course or training program, contact the NMC at (888) 427-5662 or IAskNMC@uscg.mil.

“To obtain approval for alternative assessments or a course or training program, contact the NMC at (888) 427-5662”

The text of NVIC 01-24

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 01-24 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited

Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-1246 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTPUB 16721 NVIC 01-24 February 20, 2024 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 01-24 Subj: GUIDELINES FOR QUALIFICATION FOR NATIONAL ENDORSEMENTS FOR LIFEBOATMAN AND LIFEBOATMAN-LIMITED AND STCW ENDORSEMENTS FOR PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN FAST RESCUE BOATS AND PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT-LIMITED

Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited — PURPOSE. This Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) provides guidance for

qualifying for and renewal of national endorsements for Lifeboatman (LB) and Lifeboatman- Limited (LB-LTD). This NVIC also provides guidance for STCW endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats (PSC) and Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Lifeboats and Fast Rescue Boats (PSC-LTD).

Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited — ACTION. The Coast Guard will use this NVIC and 46 CFR 12.407 and 12.409 when

establishing whether candidates are qualified to hold national endorsements as LB and LB- LTD. The Coast Guard will also use this NVIC and 46 CFR 12.613 and 12.615 when establishing whether candidates are qualified to hold STCW endorsements as PSC and PSC- LTD.

Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. This NVIC cancels NVIC 04-14, Guidelines for Qualification

for STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other Than Fast Rescue Boats.

Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited — BACKGROUND.

a. The design of modern, enclosed lifeboats is such that rowing a lifeboat using oars is not feasible. As such, the ability to row a lifeboat is no longer relevant to a mariner’s ability to perform the duties of a lifeboatman. Accordingly, the Coast Guard will not enforce the regulation requiring a demonstration of this outdated practice to qualify for endorsements for LB and PSC. The Coast Guard will continue to test mariners’ knowledge of this subject by written examination, either administered by the Coast Guard, or As part of a Coast Guard approved course. DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X X D E X X X F G H NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 01-24 b. NVIC 04-14 provided guidance for STCW endorsements for PSC and PSC-LTD. This NVIC also includes guidance for the associated national endorsements for LB and LB- LTD.

Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited — DISCUSSION.

a. Policy regarding LB, LB-LTD, PSC, and PSC-LTD is located in this NVIC. Enclosure (1) describes specific requirements for LB and LB-LTD endorsements. Enclosure (2) describes specific requirements for PSC and PSC-LTD endorsements. Enclosure (3) contains assessment guidelines for LB, LB-LTD, PSC, and PSC-LTD. Enclosure (4) provides a template that may be used to record completion of assessments. b. When assessing practical demonstrations of skills, assessors are encouraged to use the guidelines in Enclosure (3). Absent approval from the National Maritime Center (NMC), Shipboard assessors should only make minor changes to the assessments in Enclosure (3) to reflect differences in equipment and operating procedures. c. Training providers submitting a course for Coast Guard approval that leads to a LB, LB- LTD, PSC, or PSC-LTD endorsement should state either that the guidelines in Enclosure (3) will apply or provide the guidelines it proposes to use.

Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited — DISCLAIMER. This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it

itself a regulation. It is not intended to, nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party. This guidance represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and may assist industry, mariners, the general public, and the Coast Guard, as well as other Federal and State regulators, in applying statutory and regulatory requirements. Alternative approaches for fulfilling this policy may be acceptable if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited — ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS.

a. The development of this NVIC and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01 and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) from further environmental analysis under paragraph #A3 in Table 3-1 of U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1. Because this NVIC implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 is appropriate. b. This NVIC will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment. All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this Commandant Change Notice must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 01-24

Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited — RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS. This NVIC has been thoroughly

reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series). This policy does not create significant or substantial change to existing records management requirements.

Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited — FORMS/REPORTS. None.

FORMS/REPORTS. None.

Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited — REQUEST FOR CHANGES. All requests for changes or questions regarding

implementation of this NVIC should be directed to the Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division (CG-MMC-2), at (202) 372-2357 or MMCPolicy@uscg.mil. To obtain approval for alternative assessments or a course or training program, contact the NMC at (888) 427-5662 or IAskNMC@uscg.mil. W. R. ARGUIN Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy Encl: (1) Qualification Requirements for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited (2) Qualification Requirements for Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited (3) Assessment Guidelines (4) Record of Assessment

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. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.