[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR10.401]

[Page 144-145]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 10_LICENSING OF MARITIME PERSONNEL--Table of Contents
 
     Subpart D_Professional Requirements for Deck Officers' Licenses
 
Sec. 10.401  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

[[Page 145]]

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]