46 C.F.R. § 12.05-3 General requirements.
Title 46 - Shipping
(a) To qualify for certification as able seaman an applicant must: (1) Be at least 18 years of age; (2) Pass the prescribed physical examination; (3) Meet the sea service or training requirements set forth in this part; (4) Pass an examination demonstrating ability as an able seaman and lifeboatman; and, (5) Speak and understand the English language as would be required in performing the general duties of able seaman and during an emergency aboard ship. (b) An STCW endorsement valid for any period on or after February 1, 2002, will be issued or renewed only when the candidate for certification as an able seaman also produces satisfactory evidence, on the basis of assessment of a practical demonstration of skills and abilities, of having achieved or maintained within the previous 5 years the minimum standards of competence for the following 4 areas of basic safety: (1) Personal survival techniques as set out in table A-VI/1-1 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference in §12.01–3). (2) Fire prevention and fire-fighting as set out in table A-VI/1-2 of the STCW Code. (3) Elementary first aid as set out in table A-VI/1-3 of the STCW Code. (4) Personal safety and social responsibilities as set out in table A-VI/1-4 of the STCW Code. (c) An STCW endorsement valid for any period on or after February 1, 2002, will be issued or renewed only when the candidate for certification as able seamen meets the requirements of STCW Regulation II/4 and of Section A-II/4 of the STCW Code, if the candidate will be serving as a rating forming part of the navigational watch on a seagoing ship of 500 GT or more. [CGD 80–131, 45 FR 69240, Oct. 20, 1980, as amended by CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26, 1997; CGD 95–062, 62 FR 40140, July 25, 1997; USCG-1999–5610, 67 FR 66068, Oct. 30, 2002]
Title 46: Shipping
PART 12—CERTIFICATION OF SEAMEN
Subpart 12.05—Able Seamen
§ 12.05-3 General requirements.
