46 C.F.R. § 10.401 Ocean and near coastal licenses.
Title 46 - Shipping
(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. [CGD 81–059, 52 FR 38623, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by CGD 81–059, 54 FR 135, Jan. 4, 1989]
Title 46: Shipping
PART 10—LICENSING OF MARITIME PERSONNEL
Subpart D—Professional Requirements for Deck Officers' Licenses
§ 10.401 Ocean and near coastal licenses.
