46 C.F.R. Subpart E—Professional Requirements for Engineer Officers' Licenses
Title 46 - Shipping
(a) Licenses are issued in the grades of: (1) Chief engineer; (2) First assistant engineer; (3) Second assistant engineer; (4) Third assistant engineer; (5) Chief engineer (limited); (6) Assistant engineer (limited); (7) Designated duty engineer; (8) Chief engineer uninspected fishing industry vessels; and, (9) Assistant engineer uninspected fishing industry vessels. (b) Engineer licenses issued in the grades of chief engineer (limited) and assistant engineer (limited) of steam and/or motor vessels allow the holder to serve within any horsepower limitations on vessels of any gross tons on inland waters and of not more than 1600 gross tons in ocean, near coastal or Great Lakes service in the following manner: (1) Assistant engineer (limited—oceans) may serve on ocean waters; (2) Chief engineer (limited—near coastal) may serve on near coastal waters; and, (3) Chief engineer (limited-oceans) may serve on ocean waters. (c) Engineer licenses issued in the grades of designated duty engineer of steam and/or motor vessels allow the holder to serve within stated horsepower limitations on vessels of not more than 500 gross tons in the following manner: (1) Designated duty engineers limited to vessels of not more than 1000 horsepower or 4000 horsepower may serve only on near coastal or inland waters; (2) Designated duty engineers with no horsepower limitations may serve on any waters. (d) Engineer licenses are endorsed to authorize service on either steam or motor vessels or may be endorsed for both modes of propulsion. (e) A person holding an engineer license which is restricted to near coastal waters may serve within the limitations of the license upon near coastal, Great Lakes, and inland waters. [CGD 81–059, 52 FR 38623, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by CGD 81–059, 54 FR 142, Jan. 4, 1989] (a) For all original and raise of grade of engineer licenses, at least one-third of the minimum service requirements must have been obtained on the particular mode of propulsion for which applied. (b) If a licensed applicant desires to obtain an endorsement on an engineer license in the other propulsion mode (steam or motor), the following alternative methods, while holding a license in that grade, are acceptable: (1) Four months of service as an observer in the same licensed capacity on vessels of the other propulsion mode; (2) Four months of service as a licensed officer at a lower license level on vessels of the other propulsion mode; (3) Six months of service as oiler, watertender, or junior engineer on vessels of the other propulsion mode; or, (4) Completion of a Coast Guard approved training course for this endorsement. (c) Applicants for an original, raise in grade, or increase in the scope, of an engineer license, other than an increase in horsepower limitation, who have not previously done so must meet the requirements of §10.205(g) of this part. [CGD 81–059, 52 FR 38623, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by CGD 81–059, 54 FR 142, Jan. 4, 1989] (a) Engineer licenses of all grades and types may be subject to horsepower limitations. Other than as provided in §10.524 for the designated duty engineer license, the horsepower limitation placed on a license is based on the applicant's qualifying experience considering the total shaft horsepower of each vessel on which the applicant has served. (b) When an applicant for an original or raise of grade of an engineer license, other than a designated duty engineer license, has not obtained at least 50 percent of the required qualifying experience on vessels of 4,000 or more horsepower, a horsepower limitation is placed on the license based on the applicant's qualifying experience. The license is limited to the maximum horsepower on which at least 25 percent of the required experience was obtained, or 150 percent of the maximum horsepower on which at least 50 percent of the service was obtained, whichever is higher. Limitations are in multiples of 1000 horsepower, using the next higher figure when an intermediate horsepower is calculated. When the limitation as calculated equals or exceeds 10,000 horsepower, an unlimited horsepower license is issued. (c) The following service on vessels of 4,000 horsepower or over will be considered qualifying for the raising or removing of horsepower limitations placed on engineer licenses: (1) Six months of service in the highest grade licensed: removal of all horsepower limitations. (2) Six months of service in any licensed capacity other than the highest grade for which licensed: Removal of all horsepower limitations for the grade in which service is performed and raise the next higher grade license to the horsepower of the vessel on which service was performed. The total cumulative service before and after issuance of the limited license may be considered in removing all horsepower limitations. (3) Twelve months of service as oiler or junior engineer while holding a license as third assistant engineer or assistant engineer (limited-oceans): removal of all horsepower limitations on third assistant engineer or assistant engineer's (limited-oceans) license. (4) Six months of service as oiler or junior engineer while holding a license as second assistant engineer: removal of all horsepower limitations on third assistant engineer's license. (d) Raising or removing horsepower limitations based on service required by paragraph (c) of this section may be granted without further written examination providing the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection who issued the applicant's license, considers further examination unnecessary. Service gained in the deck department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may substitute for up to 25 percent or 6 months, whichever is less, of the service requirement for a license as chief engineer (limited), assistant engineer (limited), or designated duty engineer. [CGD 81–059, 54 FR 142, Jan. 4, 1989] The following diagram illustrates the engineering license structure including cross over points. The section numbers on the diagram refer to the specific requirements applicable. [CGD 81–059, 52 FR 38623, Oct. 16, 1987. Redesignated and amended by CGD 81–059, 54 FR 142, Jan. 4, 1989] The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as chief engineer of steam and/or motor vessels is: (a) One year of service as first assistant engineer; or, (b) One year of service while holding a license as first assistant engineer. A minimum of six months of this service must have been as first assistant engineer. Service as an assistant engineer is accepted on a two-for-one basis to a maximum of six months (12 months of service as a second or third assistant engineer equals six months of creditable service). The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as first assistant engineer of steam and/or motor vessels is one year of service as an assistant engineer, while holding a license as second assistant engineer. The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as second assistant engineer of steam and/or motor vessels is: (a) One year of service as an assistant engineer, while holding a license as third assistant engineer; or, (b) One year of service while holding a license as third assistant engineer which includes: (1) A minimum of six months of service as third assistant engineer; and, (2) Additional service as a qualified member of the engine department, calculated on a two-for-one basis; or, (c) One year of service as chief engineer (limited-oceans) of steam or motor vessels, and completing the appropriate examination described in subpart I of this part. (a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as third assistant engineer of steam and/or motor vessels is: (1) Three years of service in the engineroom of vessels, two years of which must have been as a qualified member of the engine department; (2) Three years of service as an apprentice to the machinist trade engaged in the construction or repair of marine, locomotive, or stationary engines, together with one year service in the engineroom as oiler, watertender, or junior engineer; (3) Graduation from: (i) The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (engineering curriculum); (ii) The U.S. Coast Guard Academy and completion of an on-board engineer officer qualification program required by the service; (iii) The U.S. Naval Academy and completion of an on-board engineer officer qualification program required by the service; (iv) The engineering class of a Maritime Academy approved by and conducted under the rules prescribed by the Maritime Administrator and listed in part 310 of this title; (4) Graduation from the marine engineering course of a school of technology accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, together with three months of service in the engine department of steam or motor vessels; (5) Graduation from the mechanical or electrical engineering course of a school of technology accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, together with six months of service in the engine department of steam or motor vessels; (6) Satisfactory completion of a three-year apprentice engineers training program approved by the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center; or, (7) One year of service as chief engineer (limited-near coastal) of steam or motor vessels and completing the appropriate examination described in subpart I of this part. (b) Experience gained in the deck department on vessels of 100 gross tons or over can be credited for up to three months of the service requirements under paragraph (a)(1) of this section. [CGD 81–059, 52 FR 38623, Oct. 16, 1987 and CGD 81–059, 54 FR 132, Jan. 4, 1989, as amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29, 1995; USCG-1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998] The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as chief engineer (limited-oceans) of steam and/or motor vessels is five years total service in the engineroom of vessels. Two years of this service must have been as a licensed engineer. Thirty months of the service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent supervisory position. The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as chief engineer (limited-near coastal) of steam and/or motor vessels is four years total service in the engineroom of vessels. One year of this service must have been as a licensed engineer. Two years of the service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent supervisory position. The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as assistant engineer (limited-oceans) of steam and/or motor vessels is three years of service in the engineroom of vessels. Eighteen months of this service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent supervisory position. (a) Designated duty engineer licenses are issued in three levels of horsepower limitations dependent upon the total service of the applicant and completion of appropriate examination. These licenses are limited to vessels of not more than 500 gross tons on certain waters as specified in §10.501. (b) The service requirements for licenses as designated duty engineer are: (1) For designated duty engineer of steam and/or motor vessels of any horsepower, the applicant must have three years of service in the engineroom. Eighteen months of this service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent supervisory position. (2) For designated duty engineer of steam and/or motor vessels of not more than 4,000 horsepower, the applicant must have two years of service in the engineroom. One year of this service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent supervisory position. (3) For designated duty engineer of steam and/or motor vessels of not more than 1,000 horsepower, the applicant must have one year of service in the engineroom. Six months of this service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent supervisory position. (a) This section applies to licenses for chief and assistant engineers of all vessels, however propelled, navigating the high seas, which are documented to engage in the fishing industry, with the exception of: (1) Wooden ships of primitive build; (2) Unrigged vessels; and, (3) Vessels of less than 200 gross tons. (b) Licenses as chief engineer and assistant engineer of uninspected fishing industry vessels are issued for ocean waters and with horsepower limitations in accordance with the provisions of §10.503. (c) For a license as chief engineer, the applicant must have served four years in the engineroom of vessels. One year of this service must have been as a licensed assistant engineer or equivalent supervisory position. (d) For a license as assistant engineer, an applicant must have served three years in the engineroom of vessels. (e) Two-thirds of the service required under this section must have been on motor vessels. (f) Applicants may request an orally assisted examination on the subjects listed in subpart I of this part. Licenses as chief engineer (MODU) or assistant engineer (MODU) authorize service on certain self-propelled or non-self-propelled units of any horsepower where authorized by the vessel's certificate of inspection. [CGD 81–059a, 55 FR 14802, Apr. 18, 1990] To qualify for a license as chief engineer (MODU) an applicant must: (a) Present evidence of the following experience: (1) Six years of employment assigned to MODUs including three years of employment as mechanic, motorman, subsea engineer, electrician, barge engineer, toolpusher, unit superintendent, crane operator or equivalent. Eighteen months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units; or (2) Two years of employment assigned to MODUs as an assistant engineer (MODU). Twelve months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units; and (b) Present evidence of completion of a firefighting training course as required by §10.205(g) of this part. (c) If an applicant successfully completes a modified examination and possesses the total required sea service for a license as chief engineer (MODU), but does not possess the required sea service on board self-propelled or propulsion assisted units, the OCMI may issue the applicant a license limited to non-self-propelled units. The OCMI may remove the limitation upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of the required self-propelled sea service and completion of any additional required examination. [CGD 81–059a, 55 FR 14802, Apr. 18, 1990, as amended by CGD 81–059a, 59 FR 10756, Mar. 8, 1994] To qualify for a license as assistant engineer (MODU) an applicant must: (a) Present evidence of the following experience: (1) Three years of employment assigned to MODUs including 18 months of employment as mechanic, motorman, subsea engineer, electrician, barge engineer, toolpusher, unit superintendent, crane operator or equivalent. Nine months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units; (2) Three years of employment in the machinist trade engaged in the construction or repair of diesel engines and one year of employment assigned to MODUs in the capacity of mechanic, motorman, oiler, or equivalent. Nine months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units; or (3) A degree from a program in marine, mechanical, or electrical engineering technology which is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center will give consideration to accepting education credentials from programs having other than ABET accreditation. An applicant qualifying through a degree program must also have at least six months of employment in any of the capacities listed in paragraph (a)(1) of this section aboard self-propelled or propulsion assisted units; and (b) Present evidence of completion of a firefighting training course as required by §10.205(g) of this part. (c) If an applicant successfully completes a modified examination and possesses the total required sea service for a license as an assistant engineer (MODU), but does not possess the required sea service on board self-propelled or propulsion assisted units, the OCMI may issue the applicant a license limited to non-self-propelled units. The OCMI may remove the limitation upon presentation of the satisfactory evidence of the required self-propelled sea service and completion of any additional required examination. [CGD 81–059a, 55 FR 14802, Apr. 18, 1990, as amended by CGD 81–059a, 59 FR 10756, Mar. 8, 1994; CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29, 1995; USCG-1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998] Each license for service on OSVs as Chief Engineer (OSV) or Engineer (OSV) authorizes service on OSVs as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(19) and as interpreted under 46 U.S.C. 14104(b), subject to any restrictions placed on the license. [CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34532, June 26, 1997; CGD 95–062, 62 FR 40140, July 25, 1997] (a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section, to qualify for a license as Chief engineer (OSV), an applicant shall present evidence that he or she meets the appropriate requirements of STCW Regulation III/2. (b) The OCMI may exempt an applicant from meeting any requirement under STCW Regulation III/2 that the OCMI determines to be inappropriate or unnecessary for service on an OSV, or that the applicant meets under the equivalency provisions of Article IX of STCW. [CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34532, June 26, 1997] (a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section, to qualify for a license as Engineer (OSV), an applicant shall present evidence that he or she meets the appropriate requirements of STCW Regulation III/1. (b) The OCMI may exempt an applicant from meeting any requirement under STCW Regulation III/1 that the OCMI determines to be inappropriate or unnecessary for service on an OSV, or that the applicant meets under the equivalency provisions of Article IX of STCW. [CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34533, June 26, 1997]
Title 46: Shipping
PART 10—LICENSING OF MARITIME PERSONNEL
Subpart E—Professional Requirements for Engineer Officers' Licenses
§ 10.501 Grade and type of engineer licenses issued.
§ 10.502 Additional requirements for engineer licenses.
§ 10.503 Horsepower limitations.
§ 10.504 Application of deck service for limited engineer licenses.
§ 10.505 Engineer license structure.
§ 10.510 Service requirements for chief engineer of steam and/or motor vessels.
§ 10.512 Service requirements for first assistant engineer of steam and/or motor vessels.
§ 10.514 Service requirements for second assistant engineer of steam and/or motor vessels.
§ 10.516 Service requirements for third assistant engineer of steam and/or motor vessels.
§ 10.518 Service requirements for chief engineer (limited-oceans) of steam and/or motor vessels.
§ 10.520 Service requirements for chief engineer (limited-near coastal) of steam and/or motor vessels.
§ 10.522 Service requirements for assistant engineer (limited-oceans) of steam and/or motor vessels.
§ 10.524 Service requirements for designated duty engineer of steam and/or motor vessels.
§ 10.530 Licenses for engineers of uninspected fishing industry vessels.
§ 10.540 Licenses for engineers of mobile offshore drilling units.
§ 10.542 License for chief engineer (MODU).
§ 10.544 License for assistant engineer (MODU).
§ 10.551 Licenses for service on offshore supply vessels.
§ 10.553 Chief Engineer (OSV).
§ 10.555 Engineer (OSV).
