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Service requirements for limited master of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 100 gross tons.

 

    (a) Limited masters' licenses for near coastal vessels of not more than 100 gross tons may be issued to applicants to be employed by organizations such as yacht clubs, marinas, formal camps and educational institutions. A license issued under this section is limited to the specific activity and the locality of the yacht club, marina or camp. In order to obtain this restricted license, an applicant must:

    (1) Have four months of service on any waters in the operation of the type of vessel for which the license is requested;

    (2) Satisfactorily complete a safe boating course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, or a safe boating course conducted by the U.S. Power Squadron or the American Red Cross, or a Coast Guard approved course. This course must have been completed within five years before the date of application; and,

    (3) Pass a limited examination appropriate for the activity to be conducted and the route authorized.

    (b) The first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course certificates required by Sec. 10.205(h) of this part will only be required when, in the opinion of the OCMI, the geographic area over which service is authorized precludes obtaining medical services within a reasonable time.

    (c) In order to obtain an endorsement on this license for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of four months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. The required four months of service may have been obtained prior to issuance of the license.

 

Service requirements for master of near coastal steam or Motor vessels of not more than 100 gross tons.

 

    (a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as master of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 100 gross tons is two years total service in the deck department of steam or motor, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels on ocean or near coastal waters. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to one year of the required service.

    (b) In order to obtain an endorsement on this license for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of 12 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. The required 12 months of service may have been obtained prior to issuance of the license.

 

Service requirements for mate of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons.

 

    (a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as mate of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons is:

    (1) Twelve months total service in the deck department of ocean or near coastal steam or motor, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to six months of the required service; or,

    (2) Three months of service in the deck department of steam or motor vessels operating on ocean, near coastal, Great Lakes or inland waters while holding a license as master of inland steam or motor, sail or auxiliary sail vessels of not more than 200 gross tons.

    (b) The holder of a license as operator of un-inspected passenger vessels with a near coastal route endorsement may obtain this license by successfully completing an examination on rules and regulations for small passenger vessels.

    (c) In order to obtain an endorsement on this license for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of six months of deck service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.

    (d) A license as master of near coastal steam or motor vessels may be endorsed as mate of sail or auxiliary sail vessels upon presentation of three months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.

    (e) In order to obtain a tonnage endorsement of over 100 gross tons, the applicant must complete the additional examination topics indicated in subpart I of this part.

 

Service requirements for master of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons.

 

    (a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as master of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons is:

    (1) Two years total service on ocean or near coastal waters. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to one year of the required service. One year of the required service must have been as a master, mate, or equivalent supervisory position while holding a license as master, as mate, or as operator of un-inspected passenger vessels; or,

    (2) One year of total service as licensed master or mate of towing vessels on oceans or near-coastal routes. Completion of a limited examination is also required.

    (b) In order to obtain an endorsement on this license for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of 12 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. The required 12 months of service may have been obtained prior to issuance of the master's license.

 

Service requirements for master of ocean steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons.

 

    (a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as master of ocean steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons is:

    (1) Three years total service on ocean or near coastal waters. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 18 months of the required service. Two years of the required service must have been as master, mate, or equivalent supervisory position while holding a license as master, as mate, or as operator of un-inspected passenger vessels; or,

    (2) Two years total service as a licensed master or mate of ocean or near-coastal towing vessels. Completion of a limited examination is also required.

    (b) In order to obtain an endorsement on this license for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of 12 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. The required 12 months of service may have been obtained prior to issuance of the master's license.

    (c) In addition to any required examination, the applicant must comply with the requirements listed in Sec. 10.401(g) of this subpart.

 

Tonnage limitations and qualifying requirements for licenses as master or mate of vessels of not more than 200  gross tons.

 

    (a) Except as noted in paragraph (e), all licenses issued for master or mate of vessels of not more than 200 gross tons are issued in 50 gross ton increments based on the applicant's qualifying experience. The license is limited to the maximum tonnage on which at least 25 percent of the required experience was obtained, or 150 percent of the maximum tonnage on which at least 50 percent of the service was obtained, whichever is higher. Limitations are in multiples of 50 gross tons using the next higher figure when an intermediate tonnage is calculated.

    (b) The tonnage limitation on these licenses may be raised upon completion of:

    (1) At least 45 days of additional service on deck on a vessel of a higher tonnage for a tonnage increase on a mate's license; or,

    (2) At least 90 days of additional service on deck on a vessel of a higher tonnage for a tonnage increase on a master's license; or,

    (3) Additional service, which, when combined with all previously accumulated service, will qualify the applicant for a higher tonnage license under the basic formula; or,

    (4) Six months additional service in the deck department on vessels within the highest tonnage increment on the license. In this case, the tonnage limitation may be raised one increment.

    (c) When the service is obtained on vessels upon which licensed personnel are not required, the OCMI must be satisfied that the nature of this qualifying service (i.e., size of vessel, route, equipment, etc.) is a reasonable equivalent to the duties performed on vessels which are required to engage licensed individuals.

    (d) Service gained in the engine room on vessels of not more than 200 gross tons may be creditable for up to 25 percent of the deck service requirements for mate.

    (e) When the qualifying service is obtained upon vessels of five gross tons or less, the license will be limited to vessels of not more than 25 gross tons.

 

Service requirements for mate of ocean steam or motor vessels of not more than 500 gross tons.

 

    The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as mate of ocean steam and motor vessels of not more than 500 gross tons is two years total service in the deck department of ocean or near coastal steam or motor, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to one year of the required service. One year of the required service must have been as a master, mate, or equivalent supervisory position while holding a license as master, mate, or operator of un-inspected passenger vessels. Six months of the required service as master, mate, or equivalent supervisory position must have been on vessels of over 50 gross tons.

 

Service requirements for mate of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 500 gross tons.

 

    The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as mate of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 500 gross tons is two years total service in the deck department of ocean or near coastal steam or motor, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to one year of the

required service. One year of the required service must have been on vessels of over 50 gross tons. Three months of the required service must have been as able seaman, boatswain, quartermaster, or equivalent position on vessels of over 50 gross tons while holding a certificate as able seaman.

 

Service requirements for master of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 500 gross tons.

 

    The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as master of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 500 gross tons is:

    (a) Three years total service on ocean or near coastal waters. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 18 months of the required service. Two years of the required service must have been as a master, mate, or equivalent supervisory position while holding a license as master, mate, or operator of un-inspected passenger vessels. One year of the required service as master, mate, or equivalent supervisory position must have been on vessels of over 50 gross tons.

    (b) The holder of a license as master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels authorizing service on oceans or near-coastal routes is eligible for a license as master of ocean or near-coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 500 gross tons after both 1-year of service as master or mate of towing vessels on oceans or near-coastal routes and completion of a limited examination.

 

Service requirements for mate of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 1600 gross tons.

 

    The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as mate of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 1600 gross tons is two years total service in the deck department of ocean or near coastal steam or motor, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to one year of the required service. One year of the required service must have been on vessels of over 100 gross tons. Six months of the required service must have been as able seaman, boatswain, quartermaster, or equivalent position on vessels of over 100 gross tons while holding a certificate as able seaman.

 

Service requirements for mate of ocean steam or motor vessels of not more than 1600 gross tons.

 

    The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as mate of ocean steam or motor vessels of not more than 1600 gross tons is:

    (a) Three years total service in the deck department of ocean or near coastal steam or motor, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 18 months of the required service. One year of the required service must have been on vessels of over 100 gross tons. One year of the required service must have been as a master, mate master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels, or equivalent supervisory position while holding a license as master, mate master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels. Six months of the required service as master, mate master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels, or equivalent supervisory position must have been on vessels of over 100 gross tons; or,

    (b) Three years total service in the deck department on ocean or near coastal steam or motor, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels of over 200 gross tons. Six months of the required service must have been as able seaman.

 

Service requirements for master of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 1600 gross tons.

 

    The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as master of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 1600 gross tons is:

    (a) Four years total service on ocean or near coastal waters. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to two years of the required service. Two years of the required service must have been on vessels of over 100 gross tons. Two years of the required service must have been as a master, mate master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels, or equivalent supervisory position while holding a license as master, mate master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels. One year of the service as master, mate master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels, or equivalent supervisory position must have been on vessels of over 100 gross tons; or,

    (b) An applicant holding a license as chief mate or second mate of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of over 1600 gross tons is eligible for this license upon completion of a limited examination.

 

Service requirements for third mate of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons.

 

    (a) The minimum service or training required to qualify an applicant for license as third mate of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons is:

    (1) Three years of service in the deck department on ocean steam or motor vessels, six months of which shall have been as able seaman, boatswain, or quartermaster, while holding a certificate as able seaman. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to three months of the service requirements for this license; or,

    (2) Graduation from:

    (i) The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (deck curriculum);

    (ii) The U.S. Coast Guard Academy and qualification as an underway officer in charge of a navigational watch;

    (iii) The U.S. Naval Academy and qualification as an underway officer in charge of a navigational watch; or,

    (iv) The deck class of a maritime academy approved by and conducted under rules prescribed by the Maritime Administrator and listed in part 310 of this title, except the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy; or,

    (3) Satisfactory completion of a three-year apprentice mate training program approved by the Commandant.

    (b) Graduation from the deck class of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy will qualify the graduate to be examined for a license as third mate near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons.

    (c) While holding a license as master of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 1,600 gross tons, one year of service as master on vessels of over 200 gross tons operating on ocean or near coastal waters will qualify the applicant for a license as third mate of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons.

 

Service requirements for second mate of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons.

 

    The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as second mate of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons is:

    (a) One year of service as officer in charge of a navigational watch on ocean steam or motor vessels while holding a license as third mate; or,

    (b) While holding a license as third mate of ocean steam or motor vessels of any gross tons, 12 months of service on deck as follows:

    (1) A minimum of six months service as officer in charge of a deck watch on ocean steam or motor vessels; in combination with,

    (2) Service on ocean steam or motor vessels as boatswain, able seaman, or quartermaster while holding a certificate as able seaman, which may be accepted on a two-for-one basis to a maximum allowable substitution of six months (12 months of experience equals 6 months of creditable service); or,

    (c) A licensed master of Great Lakes and inland steam or motor vessels of any gross tons or master of inland steam or motor vessels of any gross tons, may obtain a license as second mate of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons by completing the prescribed examination in subpart I of this part.

 

Service requirements for chief mate of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons.

 

    The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as chief mate of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons is one year of service as officer in charge of a navigational watch on ocean steam or motor vessels while holding a license as second mate.

 

Service requirements for master of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons.

 

    The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as master of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of any gross tons is:

    (a) One year of service as chief mate on ocean steam or motor vessels; or,

    (b) One year of service on ocean steam or motor vessels while holding a license as chief mate of ocean steam or motor vessels as follows:

    (1) A minimum of six months of service as chief mate; and,

    (2) Service as officer in charge of a navigational watch accepted on a two-for-one basis (12 months as second or third mate equals six months of creditable service).

 

Tonnage requirements for ocean or near coastal licenses for vessels of over 1600 gross tons.

 

    (a) To qualify for an ocean or near coastal license for vessels of any gross tons, all the required experience must be obtained on vessels of over 200 gross tons. At least one-half of the required experience must be obtained on vessels of over 1600 gross tons.

    (b) If the applicant for an original or raise of grade of a license as master or mate does not have the service on vessels over 1600 gross tons required by paragraph (a) of this section, or is qualifying for third mate under the provisions of paragraph Sec. 10.407(c) of this subpart, a tonnage limitation is placed on the license based on the applicant's qualifying experience. The license is limited to the maximum tonnage on which at least 25 percent of the required experience was obtained, or 150 percent of the maximum tonnage on which at least 50 percent of the service was obtained, whichever is higher. Limitations are in multiples of 1000 gross tons, using the next higher figure when an intermediate tonnage is calculated. When the calculated limitation equals or exceeds 10,000 gross tons, the applicant is issued an unlimited tonnage license.

    (c) Tonnage limitations imposed under paragraph (b) of this section may be raised or removed in the following manner:

    (1) When the applicant has six months of service on vessels of over 1600 gross tons in the highest grade licensed, all tonnage limitations are removed.

    (2) When the applicant has a total of six months of service on vessels of over 1600 gross tons in any licensed capacity other than the highest grade for which licensed, all tonnage limitations for the grade in which the service is performed are removed and the next higher grade license is raised to the tonnage of the vessel on which the majority of the service was performed. The total cumulative service before and after issuance of the limited license may be considered in removing all tonnage limitations.

    (3) When the applicant has 12 months of service as able seaman on vessels over 1600 gross tons while holding a license as third mate, all tonnage limitations on the third mate's license are removed.

    (d) Individuals holding licenses as master or mate of vessels of not more than 1600 gross tons, not more than 500 gross tons, or not more than 25-200 gross tons are prohibited from using the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section to increase the tonnages of their licenses.

 

Professional Requirements for Deck Officers' Licenses

 

Ocean and near coastal licenses.

 

    (a) Any license issued for service as master or mate on ocean waters qualifies the licensee to serve in the same grade on any waters, subject to the limitations of the license, without additional endorsement.

    (b) A license issued for service as master or mate on near coastal waters qualifies the licensee to serve in the same grade on near coastal, Great Lakes, and inland waters, subject to the limitations of the license, without additional endorsement.

    (c) Near coastal licenses of any gross tons require the same number of years of service as the ocean unlimited licenses. The primary differences in these licenses are the nature of the service and the professional examination as explained in subpart I of this part.

    (d) A licensee having a master or mate near coastal license obtained with ocean service may have the license endorsed for ocean service by completing the appropriate examination deficiencies, provided that the additional service requirements of paragraph (e) of this section do not apply.

    (e) Master or third mate near coastal unlimited licenses may be obtained by completing the prescribed examination in subpart I of this part and satisfying the requirements of paragraph (g) while holding a license as unlimited master or mate, respectively, upon Great Lakes and inland waters. To have a near coastal unlimited license obtained in this manner endorsed for ocean service, the licensee must obtain 12 months of service as a deck watch officer or higher on ocean waters on vessels of 1600 gross tons or over, in addition to completing the examination topics.

    (f) Masters and mates licenses for service on vessels of over 200 gross tons may be endorsed for sail or auxiliary sail as appropriate. The applicant must present the equivalent total qualifying service required for conventional licenses including at least one year of deck experience on that specific type of vessel. For example, for a license as master of vessels of not more than 1600 gross tons endorsed for auxiliary sail, the applicant must meet the total experience requirements for the conventional license, including time as mate, and the proper tonnage experience, including at least one year of deck service on appropriately sized auxiliary sail vessels. For license endorsement for service on vessels of 200 gross tons or less see individual license requirements.

    (g) In order to obtain a master or mate license with a tonnage limit above 200 gross tons, or a license for 200 gross tons or less with an ocean route, whether an original, raise in grade, or increase in the scope of license authority to a higher tonnage category, the applicant must successfully complete the following training and examination requirements:

    (1) Approved firefighting course;

    (2) Approved radar observer course; and,

    (3) Qualification as an able seaman unlimited or able seaman limited (able seaman special or able seaman offshore supply vessels satisfy the able seaman requirement for licenses permitting service on vessels of 1600 gross tons and less).

    (h) Each applicant for a deck license which authorizes service on vessels above 1600 gross tons on ocean or near coastal waters, whether original or raise of grade, must pass a practical signaling examination (flashing light).

 

A license applicant who fails in practical signaling, but passes every other part of the examination, may be issued a license with a 1600 gross ton limitation. The tonnage limitation can be removed upon successful completion of the signaling examination.