[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR12.05-3]

[Page 216]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 12_CERTIFICATION OF SEAMEN--Table of Contents
 
                        Subpart 12.05_Able Seamen
 
Sec. 12.05-3  General requirements.

    (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 Sec. 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]