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USCG Mate License Requirements - Merchant Mariner Credential

USCG Mate License Requirements (General, Sea Service and Other) by U.S. Coast Guard

A Mate is a deck Merchant Marine Officer and a licensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. There are different licenses of a Mate according to the experience, certificates, and competencies. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements and pass a written exam.

They are Chief Mate (First Mate), Second Mate, Third Mate or Mate with tonnage endorsements such as Mate 500/1600 GRT; Mate 200 GRT and so on.

One of the mates is always the watch keeping officer, and each mate also has other duties. Other duties may include - planning the vessel's route for each stage of the voyage, monitors and records vessel's progress along the route, upkeep of Navigational charts and publications, diagnosis and dispensing and administering medication for minor ailments, ensuring that all the vessel's radio equipment is functioning properly, responsibility for items such as Firefighting equipment, lifeboats, and various other emergency systems, upkeep of meteorological instruments etc.

General Requirements for National Mate License

  • U.S. Citizeship
  • TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Card)
  • Medical Certificate
  • Drug testing compliance 
  • Sea Service letters or discharges

USCG 2nd Mate Unlimited Tonnage OC or NC Requirements

  • Age: 21
  • A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.309.

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of appropriate tonnage
  • 360 days of service while holding an endorsement as 3rd Mate, OF WHICH

    • 180 days of service as officer in charge of a navigational watch on Ocean/NC steam or motor vessels, AND
    • Service as AB, Boatswain, or Quartermaster while holding an AB endorsement accepted on a 2 for 1 basis for a maximum of 180 days, OR

  • A Master of GL &/or Inland of AGT, may obtain this endorsement by completing the prescribed examination
  • Note: Service towards an Oceans, or NC will be credited as follows: Service on GL will be credited day for day; Service on inland waters, other than GL, may substitute for up to 50% of the total required service; and Service on vessels to which STCW applies (inland or NC) will be credited day for day.

Unlimited Tonnage

  • All required service is on vessels of 100 GRT or more AND
  • 50% of the required service is on vessels 1600 GRT or more or a tonnage limitation may apply.

Tonnage Limitation

  • A Tonnage Limitation may be issued if 50% of the required service is not on vessels 1600 GRT or more; however, ALL required service MUST be on vessels 100 GRT or more
  • Limited to max tonnage on which 25% of experience is obtained, rounded up to the next 1,000 GRT, OR
  • Limited to 150% tonnage which 50% of service obtained rounded up to the next 1,000 GRT, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. When the calculated limitation equals or exceeds 10,000 GRT, the applicant is issued an endorsement without a tonnage limitation

Sail or Auxiliary Sail Endorsement

  • 360 days of deck service on sail or Auxiliary Sail vessels. (Note: Tonnage for Sail or Auxiliary Sail endorsements must be calculated separately)
  • Unlimited Tonnage: 360 days of deck service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels of 100 GRT or more, AND 180 days on sail or auxiliary sail vessels of 1600 GRT or more, or A tonnage limitation may be issued if 50% of the required service is not on vessels of 1600 GRT or more, AND
  • Complete CG exam module for Auxiliary Sail or approved Auxiliary Sail course

Other Requirements

  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • Approved Basic Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW BT is acceptable
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW Advanced Firefighting is acceptable

USCG 3rd Mate Unlimited Tonnage OC or NC Requirements

  • Age: 19
  • A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.309

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of appropriate tonnage
  • 1080 days of service in the deck department on Ocean/NC or Great Lakes self-propelled vessels, OF WHICH

    • 180 days of bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the master or a qualified officer

  • Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 90 days of the service requirements OR
  • Graduation from a maritime academy

  • Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive apprentice mate training program approved by the Coast Guard, OR
  • 360 days as master on vessels of more than 200 GRT upon Ocean/NC waters while holding an Officer endorsement as Master less than 1600 GRT Ocean/NC (tonnage limitation WILL apply)
  • A Master or Mate of GL &/or Inland of AGT, may obtain this endorsement by completing the prescribed examination.

Unlimited Tonnage

  • All required service is on vessels of 100 GRT or more AND 50% of the required service is on vessels 1600 GRT or more or a tonnage limitation may apply (see below)

Tonnage Limitation

  • A Tonnage Limitation may be issued if 50% of the required service is not on vessels 1600 GRT or more; however, ALL required service MUST still be on vessels 100 GRT or more
  • Limited to max tonnage on which 25% of experience is obtained, rounded up to the next 1,000 GRT, OR
  • Limited to 150% max tonnage which at least 50% of service was obtained rounded up to the next 1,000 GRT, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. Minimum tonnage calculated will be 2,000 GRT, when calculated total is 10,000 GRT or more, no tonnage limitations apply

Sail or Auxiliary Sail Endorsement

  • 360 days of deck service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. (Note: Tonnage for Sail or Auxiliary Sail endorsements must be calculated separately)
  • Unlimited Tonnage: 360 days of deck service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels of 100 GRT or more, AND

    • 180 days on sail or auxiliary sail vessels of 1600 GRT or more, or
    • A tonnage limitation may be issued if 50% of the required service is not on vessels of 1600 GRT or more), AND

  • Complete CG exam module for Auxiliary Sail or approved Auxiliary Sail course

Other Requirements

  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • Approved Basic Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW BT is acceptable
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW Advanced Firefighting is acceptable

USCG Mate Less Than 500/1600 GRT OC Requirements

  • Age: 19
  • A person holding Mate 1600 may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.309
  • A person holding Mate 500 may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.309, 11.317, 11.319, and 11.321

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of 50 GRT for Mate 500 GRT and vessels of 100 GRT for Mate 1600 GRT
  • Engine department experience on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 90 days of these service requirements

Mate Less Than 1600 GRT

  • 1080 days of service in the deck department on Ocean, Near Coastal or Great Lakes waters, OF WHICH

    • Service on inland waters, other than GL, may substitute for up to 540 of the total required service., AND
    • 360 days of service on vessels of more than 100 GRT, AND
    • 360 days of service as Master, Mate, or equivalent position while holding an Officer endorsement as Master, Mate, or Master/Mate Towing vessels, AND
    • 180 days of the service as Master, Mate, or equivalent position, must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT; OR

  • 1080 days of service in the deck department on Ocean or Near Coastal vessels of more than 100 GRT, OF WHICH

    • 180 days of service must have been while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the master or qualified officer

Mate Less Than 500 GRT

  • 720 days of service in the deck department on Ocean, or Near Coastal or Great Lakes waters, OF WHICH

    • Service on inland waters, other than GL, may substitute for up to 360 of the total required service., AND
    • 360 days of service as Master, Mate, or equivalent position while holding an Officer endorsement as Master, Mate, or OUPV, AND
    • 180 days as Master, Mate, or equivalent position, on vessels of more than 50 GRT

Sail or Auxiliary Sail Endorsement

  • 360 days on appropriately sized sail or auxiliary sail vessels,

    • Mate Less than 500 GRT - All required service over 50 GRT
    • Mate Less than 1600 GRT - All required service over 100 GRT, AND

  • Complete CG exam module for Auxiliary Sail or approved Auxiliary Sail course

Other Requirements

  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • Approved Basic Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW BT is acceptable
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW Advanced Firefighting is acceptable

USCG Mate Less Than 500/1600 GRT NC Requirements

  • Age: 19
  • A person holding Mate 1600 NC may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to 11.309, 11.317, 11.319 and 11.321
  • A person holding Mate 500 NC may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to 11.309, 11.317, 11.319 and 11.321

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of 50 GRT for Mate 500 GRT and vessels of 100 GRT for Mate 1600 GRT
  • Engine department experience on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 90 days of the service requirements.

Mate Less Than 1600 GRT

  • 720 days of service in the deck department on Ocean, Near Coastal OR Great Lakes waters, OF WHICH

    • Service on inland waters, other than GL, may substitute for up to 360 of the total required service, AND
    • 360 days of service on vessels of more than 100 GRT, AND
    • 180 days of service while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the master or a qualified officer

Mate Less Than 500 GRT

  • 720 days of service in the deck department on Ocean, Near Coastal or Great Lakes waters, OF WHICH

    • Service on inland waters, other than GL, may substitute for up to 360 days of the total required service, AND
    • 360 days of service on vessels of more than 50 GRT, AND
    • 90 days of service while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the master or a qualified officer on vessels of more than 50 GRT

Sail or Auxiliary Sail Endorsement

  • 360 days on appropriately sized sail or auxiliary sail vessels,

    • Mate Less than 500 GRT – All required service over 50 GRT
    • Mate Less than 1600 GRT – All required service over 100 GRT, AND

  • Complete CG exam Auxiliary Sail module or approved Auxiliary Sail course

Other Requirements

  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • Approved Basic Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW BT is acceptable
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW Advanced Firefighting is acceptable

USCG Mate Less Than 200 GRT OC Requirements

  • Age: 18
  • A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.319 and 11.321

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels
  • Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 90 days of the service requirements

Mate 200 Oceans

  • 360 days of deck service on Ocean, Near Coastal or Great Lakes waters, OF WHICH service on inland waters may substitute for up to 180 days of the total required service, OR
  • 90 days of deck service on ocean, near coastal, Great Lakes or inland waters while holding an endorsement as Master of Inland self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels less than 200 GRT, *11.422 tonnage calculation applies, OR
  • An OUPV N/C may obtain this endorsement by completing an examination on rules and regulations for small passenger vessels; however, the applicant must still submit service to so a tonnage calculation may be completed IAW 11.422

Sail or Auxiliary Sail Endorsement

  • 180 days of deck service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels (Tonnages for Sail or Aux Sail endorsements must be calculated separately for endorsements over 100 GRT)
  • 200 GRT: 45 days (25%) required on vessels of 101 GRT or above, OR 90 days (50%) required on vessels of 67 GRT or above, OR
  • If Master Near Coastal endorsement held, 90 days on sail or auxiliary sail may obtain Mate of Sail or Aux Sail. (Tonnage will correspond with Master tonnage if 100 GRT or less)
  • 200 GRT: 23 days required on vessels of 101 GRT or above, OR 45 required on vessels of 67 GRT or above
  • Complete CG exam module for Auxiliary Sail or approved Auxiliary Sail course

Other Requirements

  • First Aid
  • CPR

USCG Mate Less Than 200 GRT NC Requirements

  • Age: 18
  • A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement according to 11.315, 11.317, 11.319 or 11.321

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels
  • Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 90 days of the service requirements

Mate 200 Near Coastal

  • 360 days of deck service on Ocean, Near Coastal or Great Lakes waters OF WHICH service on Inland waters MAY substitute for up to 180 days of the required service, OR
  • 90 days of deck service on ocean, near coastal, Great Lakes or inland waters while holding an endorsement as Master of Inland self-propelled, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels less than 200 GRT 11.422 tonnage calculation applies, OR
  • An OUPV N/C may obtain this endorsement by completing an examination on rules and regulations for small passenger vessels; however, the applicant must still submit service to so a tonnage calculation may be completed IAW 11.422

Sail or Auxiliary Sail Endorsement

  • 180 days of deck service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels (Tonnages for Sail or Aux Sail endorsements must be calculated separately for endorsements over 100 GRT)
  • 200 GRT: 45 days (25%) required on vessels of 101 GRT or above, OR 90 days (50%) required on vessels of 67 GRT or above, OR
  • If Master Near Coastal endorsement held, 90 days on sail or auxiliary sail may obtain Mate of Sail or Aux Sail. (NOTE: Tonnage will correspond with Master tonnage if 100 GRT or less. For 200 GRT Sail or Aux Sail endorsement, use:

    • 200 GRT: 23 days required on vessels of 101 GRT or above, OR  45 required on vessels of 67 GRT or above

  • Complete CG Auxiliary Sail exam module or approved Auxiliary Sail l course

Assistance Towing Endorsement (Optional)

Other Requirements

  • First Aid
  • CPR

USCG Mate Unlimited Tonnage GL &/or Inland Requirements

  • Age: 21

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels over 100 GRT to include 45 days on vessels over 1,600 GRT.
  • Service gained in the engine department on vessels of the appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 180 days

Mate AGT GL& INL

  • 1080 days service in the deck department on self-propelled vessels, OF WHICH

    • 90 days of service on vessels on Inland waters (Great Lakes service can apply but near coastal waters does not apply); AND
    • 180 days of service must have been as while performing bridge watchkeeping duties while under the supervision of the master or a qualified officer ; OR

  • Graduation from the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, OR
  • 360 days of service as master of Great Lakes or Inland vessels 200 GRT or more while holding an Officer endorsement as Master of vessels less than 1600 GRT. (Apply Tonnage Limitation IAW 46 CFR 11.431)

Unlimited Tonnage

  • All required service is on vessels 100 GRT or more, and
  • 50% of the required service on vessels 1600 GRT or more or a tonnage limitation may apply (see Tonnage Limitation below)
  • Any sea service on ATBs, dual or push mode ITBs or any towing vessel with barges, refer to 46 CFR 11.211 (d) and NVIC 2-81 for tonnage calculation.

Tonnage Limitation

  • Tonnage Limitation may be issued if 50% of the required service is not on vessels over 1600 GRT and all experience is on vessels 100 GRT or more
  • Limited to max tonnage on which 25% of experience is obtained rounded up to the next 1,000 GRT, OR
  • Limited to 150% tonnage which 50% of service is obtained rounded up to the next 1,000 GRT, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. When total equals or exceeds 10,000 GRT, endorsement is issued without a tonnage limitation

Other Requirements

  • First Aid (completed within 1 year)
  • CPR (must be valid)
  • Approved Basic Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW BT is acceptable
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW Advanced Firefighting is acceptable
  • Radar Observer - May use expired certificate for RIG but RADAR will not be endorsed on the MMC if expired

USCG Mate Less Than 500/1600 GRT GL &/or Inland Requirements

  • Age: 19

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency:

    • Mate 500: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of 50 GRT or more.
    • Mate 1600: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of 100 GRT or more.

  • Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage as noted here may be creditable for up to 90 days of the service requirements

Mate 1600 GRT

  • 720 days in the deck department on self-propelled vessels; OF WHICH

    • 360 days of service on vessels 100 GRT or more, AND
    • 180 days of required service must have been while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the master or a qualified officer on vessels of 100 GRT or more, OR

  • 360 days of service as Master or OUPV on vessels 50 GRT or more, while holding a MMC as Master Less Than 200 GRT or OUPV, OR
  • 180 days of service Mate (Pilot) of Towing of 100 GRT or more. (Mate of T/V does not need to be held, except for WR, as long as service was in accordance with 11.465)

Mate 500 GRT

  • 720 days of deck service on self-propelled vessels; OF WHICH

    • 360 days of service on vessels of 50 GRT or more, AND
    • 90 days of required service must have been while performing bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the master or a qualified officer on a vessel of 50 GRT or more

Other Requirements

  • First Aid (completed within 1 year)
  • CPR (must be valid)
  • Approved Basic Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW BT is acceptable
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW Advanced Firefighting is acceptable
  • Radar Observer - May use expired certificate for RIG but RADAR will not be endorsed on the MMC if expired

USCG Mate Less Than 200 GRT GL &/or Inland Requirements

  • Age: 18

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of any tonnage
  • Service gained in the engine room on vessels less than 200 GRT may be creditable for up to 25% of the deck service requirement for Mate

Mate 200

  • Great Lakes: 180 days service in the deck department, OF WHICH 90 days must have been on Great Lakes
  • Inland: 180 days service in the deck department
  • An OUPV Inland may obtain this Officer Inland endorsement by completing an examination - Applicants for GL endorsement also need 90 days service on Great Lakes

Sail or Auxiliary Sail Endorsement

  • 90 days on sail or auxiliary sail vessels (NOTE: Tonnages for Sail or Aux Sail endorsements must be calculated separately for endorsements over 100 GRT), and
  • 200 GRT: 45 days (25%) of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels 101 GRT or above OR 90 days (50%) on sail or auxiliary sail vessels of 67 GRT or above
  • Complete CG Auxiliary Sail exam module or approved course

Commercial Assistance Towing Endorsement

  • Complete CG Assistance Towing exam module or approved course

Other Requirements

  • First Aid
  • CPR

USCG Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels OC, NC, GL-IN & Western Rivers Requirements

  • Age: 19

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days service in the past 3 years on any vessel. A minimum tonnage is not applicable for towing MMC
  • Note: Service towards an OC, NC endorsement will be credited as follows - Service on GL will be credited day for day; Service on inland waters, other than GL, may substitute for up to 50% of the total required service; and only service on WR is applicable towards any WR endorsement. 4. The OC or NC TOAR must be completed to obtain the OC or NC endorsement.

For Apprentice Mate (Steersman)

Holds Apprentice Mate (Steersman) WITH:

  • 360 days on towing vessels as Apprentice Mate (Steersman). Service listed as Deckhand while holding AMS may be credited as AMS; AND
  • 90 days, in any deck position, on requested route (the 90 days need not be repeated if the requested route is already held at the AMS level); AND
  • TOAR OR approved TOAR course for appropriate route(s) (No further exams required unless adding a route not previously held).

Holds Master Towing Vessels (Limited)

  • 30 days of training & observation on towing vessels on a particular route; 90 days for Western Rivers (still required even if route already held as AMS); WITH

    • Appropriate TOAR OR approved TOAR course AND
    • Pass an exam (unless AMS exam or course previously completed)

Holds Mate Steam/Motor > 200 GRT or FCP

  • May operate towing vessels within any restrictions on their endorsement if they have:

    • 30 days of training & observation on towing vessels on a particular route; AND
    • Either hold a completed TOAR OR complete an approved course

  • Note: Western Rivers requires 90 days of observation and training, TOAR or approved course and must be endorsed on credential;
  • Exception: If operating on LMR Pilotage waters (MM 236 and below), not required to hold WR endorsement but must hold either a FCP for that route, a MMC for Western Rivers or Mate greater than 200 GRT for other routes/waters

Holds Master Steam/Motor Vessels 200 GRT or Less (Except Limited Master)

  • 1080 days service as Master under the authority of endorsement held WITH

    • 30 days of training & observation on towing vessels on a particular route; 90 days for Western Rivers AND
    • Appropriate TOAR, AND
    • Appropriate Apprentice Mate exams or approved course

If Holder of Master Towing Vessels

  • The holder of Master of T/V may have an endorsement placed on the MMC as Mate (Pilot) of T/V for a route superior to the current route on which the holder has no operating experience after passing an examination for that additional route. After holder completes 90 days of experience and a TOAR on that route, the MMC will be endorsed as Master of Towing and Mate (Pilot) will be removed. WR is not a superior route, Inland is considered superior to WR.

Requirements for Adding Route not held as Mate

  • If holding an endorsement as Mate Greater Than 200 GRT:

    • Western Rivers: 90 days of observation and training; AND WR TOAR; AND evidence of Apprentice Mate WR course/testing
    • Inland: 30 days of observation and training; AND Inland TOAR; AND evidence of Apprentice Mate Inland course/testing
    • Near Coastal/Oceans: 30 days of observation and training; AND NC/Oceans TOAR; AND evidence of Apprentice Mate NC/Oceans course/testing
    • Note: Testing is only required for holders of Mate greater than 200 GRT if adding a superior route which is not already held. (Example: Holds Mate 500 Inland, adding Mate T/V Near Coastal)
    • If holding an endorsement only as Mate T/V: 90 days on requested route (unless requested route held as AMS), appropriate TOAR and exam to add route (no exam if requested route held as AMS)

Other Requirements

  • First Aid (completed within 1 year)
  • CPR (must be valid)
  • For All Routes: Approved Basic Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW BT is acceptable
  • For Oceans: Basic Fighting as noted above and Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW Advanced Firefighting is acceptable
  • The unless previously held noted above for firefighting covers most exceptions to Basic and/or Advanced Firefighting

USCG Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Towing Vessels OC, NC, GL-IN & WR Requirements

  • Age: 18

Sea Service Requirements

  • Service is not required to be on deck or in deck department
  • Recency: 90 days sea service in the past 3 years on any vessel or tonnage

Apprentice Mate (Steersman)

  • 540 days of total sea service, in any position or department, OF WHICH:

    • 360 days on towing vessels, AND
    • 90 days must be on the particular route requested (any type vessel), AND
    • Pass exams for particular routes

Adding Additional Routes

  • Holds endorsement as Apprentice Mate (Steersman)

    • 90 days on route requested (any type vessel), AND
    • Pass exams for the new route

Other Requirements

  • First Aid
  • CPR

USCG Mate Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV) Requirements

  • Age: 21
  • A person holding an endorsement as mate (OSV) may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.309

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of 100 GRT or more

Mate OSV

  • 720 days of service in the deck department on vessels operating in oceans, near coastal and/or Great Lakes waters, OF WHICH
  • Service on inland waters may substitute for up to 360 days of the required service; AND
  • 360 days of the required service must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT OR
  • 360 days of total service as part of an approved or accepted mate (OSV) training program

Other Requirements

  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • Approved Basic Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW BT is acceptable
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW Advanced Firefighting is acceptable

USCG Mate OSV Restricted to Service on Liftboats Requirements

  • Age: 21
  • A person holding an endorsement as mate (OSV) may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to § 11.309
  • Renewal: Liftboat service may be used for renewal of any deck officer endorsement and will be credited day for day without regard to whether the liftboat was underway or elevated at the time of service.

Sea Service Requirements

  • Recency: 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of 100 GRT or more 

Mate OSV Restricted to Service on Liftboats

  • 720 days of service in the deck department on vessels operating in oceans, near coastal and Great Lakes waters, OF WHICH

    • Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 360 days of the required service; AND
    • 360 days of the required service must have been on vessels of more than 100 GRT

  • For endorsements restricted to liftboats, service on Liftboats will be credited 1:1 or day for day without regard to whether the liftboat was underway or elevated at the time of service

Removal of Restriction to Liftboats

  • Liftboat service will be credited 1:1 or day for day when the vessel is underway. Liftboat service while the vessel is elevated will be credited 1:2 (1 day of credited service for 2 days served) for up to 50% of the required service
  • Note: Service may also be credited as noted here for any deck officer endorsement

Other Requirements

  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • Approved Basic Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW BT is acceptable
  • Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW Advanced Firefighting is acceptable

USCG Examinations

Disclaimer: For general information purpose - please check with USCG for the latest requirements and accurate info