1625-NEW Stat/Authority

Page 109

§ 7101

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

be admissible as evidence or subject to discovery
in any civil or administrative proceedings, other
than an administrative proceeding initiated by
the United States.
(b) Any member or employee of the Coast
Guard investigating a marine casualty pursuant
to section 6301 of this title shall not be subject
to deposition or other discovery, or otherwise
testify in such proceedings relevant to a marine
casualty investigation, without the permission
of the Secretary. The Secretary shall not withhold permission for such employee or member to
testify, either orally or upon written questions,
on solely factual matters at a time and place
and in a manner acceptable to the Secretary if
the information is not available elsewhere or is
not obtainable by other means.
(c) Nothing in this section prohibits the
United States from calling the employee or
member as an expert witness to testify on its behalf. Further, nothing in this section prohibits
the employee or member from being called as a
fact witness in any case in which the United
States is a party. If the employee or member is
called as an expert or fact witness, the applicable Federal Rules of Civil Procedure govern discovery. If the employee or member is called as
a witness, the report of a marine casualty investigation conducted under section 6301 of this
title shall not be admissible, as provided in subsections (a) and (b), and shall not be considered
the report of an expert under the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure.
(d) The information referred to in subsections
(a), (b), and (c) of this section shall not be considered an admission of liability by the United
States or by any person referred to in those conclusions and statements.

matters at a time and place and in a manner acceptable
to the Secretary if the information is not available
elsewhere or is not obtainable by other means.’’
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–241, § 902(e)(2)(B), added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (c).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–241, § 902(e)(2)(A), (C), formerly
§ 902(e)(2)(A), (3), renumbered § 902(e)(2)(A), (C) and
amended Pub. L. 111–281, § 903(a)(5)(B), (C), (6), redesignated subsec. (b) as (c) and substituted ‘‘subsections (a)
and (b)’’ for ‘‘subsection (a)’’. Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–241, § 902(e)(2)(A), (D), formerly § 902(e)(2)(A), (4), renumbered § 902(e)(2)(A), (D)
and amended Pub. L. 111–281, § 903(a)(5)–(7), redesignated
subsec. (c) as (d) and substituted ‘‘subsections (a), (b),
and (c)’’ for ‘‘subsections (a) and (b)’’.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2010 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 111–281, title IX, § 903(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat.
3010, provided that the amendment by section
903(a)(5)(B)–(7), is effective with enactment of Pub. L.
109–241.

PART E—MERCHANT SEAMEN LICENSES,
CERTIFICATES, AND DOCUMENTS
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Part E establishes the authority for the Coast Guard
to issue, suspend, and revoke licenses, certificates of
registry, and merchant mariner’s documents for individuals who are to be engaged on vessels of the United
States.
AMENDMENTS
1985—Pub. L. 99–36, § 1(a)(9)(B), May 15, 1985, 99 Stat.
67, substituted ‘‘Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and’’ for ‘‘Licenses, Certificates, and Merchant
Mariners’ ’’ in part E heading.

CHAPTER 71—LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
OF REGISTRY
Sec.

7101.

(Added Pub. L. 104–324, title III, § 313(a), Oct. 19,
1996, 110 Stat. 3921; amended Pub. L. 109–241, title
IX, § 902(e)(2), formerly § 902(e)(2)–(4), July 11,
2006, 120 Stat. 567, renumbered § 902(e)(2) and
amended
Pub.
L.
111–281,
title
IX,
§ 903(a)(5)(B)–(7), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3010.)

7102.
7103.
7104.
7105.
7106.
7107.
7108.

REFERENCES IN TEXT

7109.
7110.
7111.
7112.
7113.
7114.
7115.

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in
subsec. (c), are set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
AMENDMENTS
2010—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 111–281 made technical
amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 109–241,
§ 902(e). See 2006 Amendment notes below.
2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–241, § 902(e)(2)(B), added
subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a) which read
as follows: ‘‘Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, no part of a report of a marine casualty investigation conducted under section 6301 of this title, including findings of fact, opinions, recommendations, deliberations, or conclusions, shall be admissible as evidence or subject to discovery in any civil or administrative proceedings, other than an administrative proceeding initiated by the United States. Any employee
of the Department of Transportation, and any member
of the Coast Guard, investigating a marine casualty
pursuant to section 6301 of this title, shall not be subject to deposition or other discovery, or otherwise testify in such proceedings relevant to a marine casualty
investigation, without the permission of the Secretary
of Transportation. The Secretary shall not withhold
permission for such employee or member to testify, either orally or upon written questions, on solely factual

7116.

Issuing and classifying licenses and certificates of registry.
Citizenship.
Licenses for radio officers.
Certificates for medical doctors and nurses.
Oaths.
Duration of licenses.
Duration of certificates of registry.
Termination of licenses and certificates of
registry.
Review of criminal records.
Exhibiting licenses.
Oral examinations for licenses.
Licenses of masters or mates as pilots.
Exemption from draft.
Fees.
Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee.
Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.
AMENDMENTS

2016—Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 315(b)(2), Feb. 8, 2016,
130 Stat. 62, added item 7116.
2010—Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 210(c), Oct. 15, 2010, 124
Stat. 2914, added item 7115.
1990—Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4102(e)(2), Aug. 18,
1990, 104 Stat. 510, substituted ‘‘Review of criminal
records’’ for ‘‘Renewal of licenses’’ in item 7109.
1984—Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(8)(A), July 17, 1984,
98 Stat. 447, substituted ‘‘Oral examinations for licenses’’ for ‘‘Licenses for fishing vessels not subject to
inspection’’ in item 7111.

§ 7101. Issuing and classifying licenses and certificates of registry
(a) Licenses and certificates of registry are established for individuals who are required to
hold licenses or certificates under this subtitle.

§ 7101

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

(b) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the Secretary—
(1) issues the licenses and certificates of registry; and
(2) may classify the licenses and certificates
of registry as provided in subsections (c) and
(f) of this section, based on—
(A) the tonnage, means of propulsion, and
horsepower of machine-propelled vessels;
(B) the waters on which vessels are to be
operated; or
(C) other reasonable standards.
(c) The Secretary may issue licenses in the following classes to applicants found qualified as
to age, character, habits of life, experience, professional qualifications, and physical fitness:
(1) masters, mates, and engineers.
(2) pilots.
(3) operators.
(4) radio officers.
(d) In classifying individuals under subsection
(c)(1) of this section, the Secretary shall establish, when possible, suitable career patterns and
service and other qualifying requirements appropriate to the particular service or industry in
which the individuals are engaged.
(e) An individual may be issued a license under
subsection (c)(2) of this section only if the applicant—
(1) is at least 21 years of age;
(2) is of sound health and has no physical
limitations that would hinder or prevent the
performance of a pilot’s duties;
(3) has a thorough physical examination
each year while holding the license, except
that this requirement does not apply to an individual who will serve as a pilot only on a
vessel of less than 1,600 gross tons as measured
under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of
this title as prescribed by the Secretary under
section 14104 of this title;
(4) demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the
Secretary, that the applicant has the requisite
general knowledge and skill to hold the license;
(5) demonstrates proficiency in the use of
electronic aids to navigation;
(6) maintains adequate knowledge of the waters to be navigated and knowledge of regulations for the prevention of collisions in those
waters;
(7) has sufficient experience, as decided by
the Secretary, to evidence ability to handle
any vessel of the type and size which the applicant may be authorized to pilot; and
(8) meets any other requirement the Secretary considers reasonable and necessary.
(f) The Secretary may issue certificates of registry in the following classes to applicants found
qualified as to character, knowledge, skill, and
experience:
(1) pursers.
(2) medical doctors.
(3) professional nurses.
(g) The Secretary may not issue a license or
certificate of registry under this section unless
an individual applying for the license or certificate makes available to the Secretary, under

Page 110

section 206(b)(7) of the National Driver Register
Act of 1982 (23 U.S.C. 401 note), any information
contained in the National Driver Register related to an offense described in section 205(a)(3)(A)
or (B) of that Act committed by the individual.
(h) The Secretary may review the criminal
record of an individual who applies for a license
or certificate of registry under this section.
(i) The Secretary shall require the testing of
an individual who applies for issuance or renewal of a license or certificate of registry
under this chapter for use of a dangerous drug in
violation of law or Federal regulation.
(j) The Secretary may issue a license under
this section in a class under subsection (c) to an
applicant that—
(1) has at least 3 months of qualifying service on vessels of the uniformed services (as
that term is defined in section 101(a) of title
10) of appropriate tonnage or horsepower within the 7-year period immediately preceding the
date of application; and
(2) satisfies all other requirements for such a
license.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 539; Pub. L.
98–557, § 29(a), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2873; Pub. L.
101–380, title IV, § 4101(a), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat.
509; Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 720, Oct. 19, 1996,
110 Stat. 3938; Pub. L. 113–281, title III, § 305(a),
Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3043.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7101 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:214
46:224
46:226
46:228
46:229
46:229a
46:229b
46:242
46:243
46:244
46:247

Section 7101(a) provides the authority for the establishment of licenses and certificates of registry for officers and individuals operating vessels who are required
to hold them under Subtitle II.
Subsection (b) authorizes the Secretary to issue licenses and certificates of registry based on tonnage,
means of propulsion, horsepower, vessel operating area,
and other reasonable standards.
Subsection (c) authorizes the Secretary to issue licenses to masters, mates, engineers, pilots, operators,
and radio officers when found qualified as to age, character, habits of life, experience, professional qualifications, and physical fitness. These qualifying standards
must by necessity be reasonable and related to the rigors of the profession.
Subsection (d) requires the Secretary to establish,
when possible, suitable career patterns and service for
and other qualifying requirements appropriate to the
particular service or industry for the individuals so engaged.
Subsection (e) sets forth the requirements that pilots
must meet before being issued a license.
Subsection (f) authorizes the Secretary to issue certificates of registry to qualified individuals as pursers,
medical doctors, and professional nurses.
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Sections 205(a)(3)(A) or (B) and 206(b)(7) of the National Driver Register Act of 1982, referred to in subsec.
(g), are sections 205(a)(3)(A), (B) and 206(b)(7) of Pub. L.
97–364, which are set out as a note under section 401 of
Title 23, Highways.

Page 111

§ 7106

TITLE 46—SHIPPING
AMENDMENTS

2014—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 113–281 added subsec. (j).
1996—Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 104–324 inserted ‘‘as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate
tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as
prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this
title’’ after ‘‘1,600 gross tons’’.
1990—Subsecs. (g) to (i). Pub. L. 101–380 added subsecs.
(g) to (i).
1984—Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 98–557 inserted exemption
for pilots on a vessel of less than 1,600 gross tons.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
PLAN FOR LICENSING OPERATORS OF FISHING INDUSTRY
VESSELS
Pub. L. 100–424, § 3, Sept. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 1590, provided that: ‘‘The Secretary of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating shall, within two years
after the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 9, 1988],
and in close consultation with the Commercial Fishing
Industry Vessel Advisory Committee established under
section 4508 of title 46, United States Code (as amended
by this Act), prepare and submit to the Congress a plan
for the licensing of operators of documented fishing,
fish processing, and fish tender vessels. The plan shall
take into consideration the nature and variety of the
different United States fisheries and of the vessels engaged in those fisheries, the need to license all operators or only those working in certain types of fisheries
or vessels, and other relevant factors.’’

§ 7102. Citizenship
Licenses and certificates of registry for individuals on documented vessels may be issued
only to citizens of the United States.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540.)

Great Lakes vessels from the requirement of having to
obtain a radio officer’s license.

§ 7104. Certificates
nurses

for

medical

doctors

and

A certificate of registry as a medical doctor or
professional nurse may be issued only to an applicant who has a license as a medical doctor or
registered nurse, respectively, issued by a State.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7104 ..............................................

46:243

Section 7104 requires an applicant for a certificate of
registry as a medical doctor or professional nurse to
have, as a prerequisite, a license as a medical doctor or
registered nurse issued by a State.

§ 7105. Oaths
An applicant for a license or certificate of registry shall take, before the issuance of the license or certificate, an oath, without concealment or reservation, that the applicant will perform faithfully and honestly, according to the
best skill and judgment of the applicant, all the
duties required by law.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540; Pub. L.
111–281, title VI, § 613, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat.
2970.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7105 ..............................................

46:229e
46:231
46:244

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7102 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:242
46:1132(a)

Section 7102 requires that any individual issued a license or certificate of registry allowing the individual
to be engaged on a documented vessel must be a U.S.
citizen.

Section 7105 requires all individuals who wish to be
issued a license or certificate of registry to take an
oath before a government official that they will perform all the duties required by law according to their
best skill and judgment.
AMENDMENTS
2010—Pub. L. 111–281 struck out ‘‘before a designated
official’’ after ‘‘an oath’’.

§ 7103. Licenses for radio officers
(a) A license as radio officer may be issued
only to an applicant who has a first-class or second-class radiotelegraph operator license issued
by the Federal Communications Commission.
(b) Except as provided in section 7318 of this
title, this part does not affect the status of radiotelegraph operators serving on board vessels
operating only on the Great Lakes.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7103 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:229a
46:229b
46:229g

Section 7103 requires an applicant for a license as a
radio officer to have, as a prerequisite, a first-class or
second-class radiotelegraph operator license issued by
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It also
excepts radiotelegraph operators that are engaged on

§ 7106. Duration of licenses
(a) IN GENERAL.—A license issued under this
part is valid for a 5-year period and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods; except that
the validity of a license issued to a radio officer
is conditioned on the continuous possession by
the holder of a first-class or second-class radiotelegraph operator license issued by the Federal
Communications Commission.
(b) ADVANCE RENEWALS.—A renewed license issued under this part may be issued up to 8
months in advance but is not effective until the
date that the previously issued license expires
or until the completion of any active suspension
or revocation of that previously issued merchant mariner’s document, whichever is later.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540; Pub. L.
101–380, title IV, § 4102(a), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat.
509; Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 614(b), Oct. 15, 2010,
124 Stat. 2970.)

§ 7107

TITLE 46—SHIPPING
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

the continuous possession of the appropriate license issued by a State.

Source section (U.S. Code)

7106 ..............................................

46:214(c)
46:225
46:226
46:228
46:229
46:229c

Section 7106 sets a 5 year time limit on the validity
of a license. It also requires a licensed radio officer to
be in continuous possession of an FCC license.
AMENDMENTS
2010—Pub. L. 111–281 amended section generally. Prior
to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘A license issued
under this part is valid for 5 years and may be renewed
for additional 5-year periods. However, the validity of a
license issued to a radio officer is conditioned on the
continuous possession by the holder of a first-class or
second-class radiotelegraph operator license issued by
the Federal Communications Commission.’’
1990—Pub. L. 101–380 inserted ‘‘and may be renewed
for additional 5-year periods’’ after ‘‘for 5 years’’.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
TERMINATION OF
AND DOCUMENTS;

Page 112

EXISTING LICENSES, CERTIFICATES,
APPLICABILITY OF 1990 AMENDMENT

Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4102(d), Aug. 18, 1990, 104
Stat. 510, provided that: ‘‘A license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document issued before
the date of the enactment of this section [Aug. 18, 1990]
terminates on the day it would have expired if—
‘‘(1) subsections (a), (b), and (c) [amending this section and sections 7107 and 7302 of this title] were in
effect on the date it was issued; and
‘‘(2) it was renewed at the end of each 5-year period
under section 7106, 7107, or 7302 of title 46, United
States Code.’’

AMENDMENTS
2010—Pub. L. 111–281 amended section generally. Prior
to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘A certificate of
registry issued under this part is valid for 5 years and
may be renewed for additional 5-year periods. However,
the validity of a certificate issued to a medical doctor
or professional nurse is conditioned on the continuous
possession by the holder of a license as a medical doctor or registered nurse, respectively, issued by a
State.’’
1990—Pub. L. 101–380 substituted ‘‘is valid for 5 years
and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods’’ for
‘‘is not limited in duration’’.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
TERMINATION OF
AND DOCUMENTS;

EXISTING LICENSES, CERTIFICATES,
APPLICABILITY OF 1990 AMENDMENT

For provisions that a certificate of registry issued before Aug. 18, 1990, terminates on the day it would have
expired if the amendment to this section by Pub. L.
101–380 were in effect on date it was issued and was renewed at the end of each 5-year period under this section, see section 4102(d) of Pub. L. 101–380, set out as a
note under section 7106 of this title.

§ 7108. Termination of licenses and certificates of
registry
When the holder of a license or certificate of
registry, the duration of which is conditioned
under section 7106 or 7107 of this title, fails to
hold the license required as a condition, the license or certificate of registry issued under this
part is terminated.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540.)

§ 7107. Duration of certificates of registry
(a) IN GENERAL.—A certificate of registry issued under this part is valid for a 5-year period
and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods; except that the validity of a certificate issued to a medical doctor or professional nurse is
conditioned on the continuous possession by the
holder of a license as a medical doctor or registered nurse, respectively, issued by a State.
(b) ADVANCE RENEWALS.—A renewed certificate of registry issued under this part may be issued up to 8 months in advance but is not effective until the date that the previously issued
certificate of registry expires or until the completion of any active suspension or revocation of
that previously issued merchant mariner’s document, whichever is later.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540; Pub. L.
101–380, title IV, § 4102(b), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat.
509; Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 614(c), Oct. 15, 2010,
124 Stat. 2971.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7108 ..............................................

Section 7108 specifies if any individual issued a license or certificate of registry fails to have the required FCC or appropriate State medical license, the license or certificate is automatically terminated. The
suspension and revocation procedures provided in chapter 77 are not applicable in these cases.

§ 7109. Review of criminal records
The Secretary may review the criminal record
of each holder of a license or certificate of registry issued under this part who applies for renewal of that license or certificate of registry.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540; Pub. L.
101–380, title IV, § 4102(e)(1), Aug. 18, 1990, 104
Stat. 510.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

Source section (U.S. Code)
7109 ..............................................

7107 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:229c
46:243

46:243

Section 7107 specifies that there is no time limit on
the validity of a certificate of registry issued to a medical doctor or a professional nurse but is conditioned on

46:225
46:233

Section 7109 authorizes the Secretary to renew licenses and certificates of registry for additional 5 year
periods.

Page 113

§ 7115

TITLE 46—SHIPPING
AMENDMENTS

1990—Pub. L. 101–380 substituted ‘‘Review of criminal
records’’ for ‘‘Renewal of licenses’’ in section catchline
and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text
read as follows: ‘‘A license issued under this part may
be renewed for additional 5-year periods.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.

§ 7110. Exhibiting licenses
Each holder of a license issued under this part
shall display, within 48 hours after employment
on a vessel for which that license is required,
the license in a conspicuous place on the vessel.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7109 ..............................................

46:229f
46:232

Section 7110 requires licensed individuals to display
the license in a conspicuous place on the vessel within
48 hours after they are employed.

Section 7112 provides for the endorsement of a master’s or mate’s license as a pilot if they meet those
specifications. These individuals do not have to hold
two separate licenses.

§ 7113. Exemption from draft
A licensed master, mate, pilot, or engineer of
a vessel inspected under part B of this subtitle,
propelled by machinery or carrying hazardous
liquid cargoes in bulk, is not liable to draft in
time of war, except for performing duties authorized by the license. When performing those
duties in the service of the United States Government, the master, mate, pilot, or engineer is
entitled to the highest rate of wages paid in the
merchant marine of the United States for similar services. If killed or wounded when performing those duties, the master, mate, pilot, or engineer, or the heirs or legal representatives of
the master, mate, pilot, or engineer, are entitled
to all the privileges under the pension laws of
the United States provided to members of the
Armed Forces.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

§ 7111. Oral examinations for licenses

7113 ..............................................

An individual may take an oral examination
for a license to serve on a fishing, fish processing, or fish tender vessel not required to be inspected under part B of this subtitle.

Section 7113 exempts licensed masters, mates, pilots,
and engineers of inspected vessels that are propelled by
machinery or carrying hazardous liquid cargo from the
Selective Service draft in time of war.
This section also provides that, while serving in that
capacity during war, they shall be entitled to the highest rate of pay paid in the U.S. merchant marine for
similar services.
If a master, mate, pilot, or engineer is killed or
wounded when performing those duties during a war,
these individuals, their heirs or legal representatives,
are entitled to all the privileges provided to members
of the Armed Forces under the pension laws of the
United States.

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541; Pub. L.
98–364, title IV, § 402(8)(B), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat.
447; Pub. L. 99–307, § 1(10), May 19, 1986, 100 Stat.
445.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7109 ..............................................

46:224a(2)

Section 7111 provides for oral tests for licenses for individuals on fishing vessels that are not required to be
inspected under part B.
AMENDMENTS
1986—Pub. L. 99–307 substituted ‘‘part’’ for ‘‘Part’’.
1984—Pub. L. 98–364 substituted in section catchline
‘‘Oral examinations for licenses’’ for ‘‘Licenses for fishing vessels not subject to inspection’’ and in text ‘‘An
individual may take an oral examination for a license
to serve on a fishing, fish processing, or fish tender vessel not required to be inspected under Part B of this
subtitle’’ for ‘‘Examinations for licensing individuals
on fishing vessels not required to be inspected under
part B of this subtitle shall be oral’’.

§ 7112. Licenses of masters or mates as pilots
A master or mate licensed under this part who
also qualifies as a pilot is not required to hold 2
licenses. Instead, the qualification of the master
or mate as pilot shall be endorsed on the master’s or mate’s license.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7112 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:230

46:225

§ 7114. Fees
The Secretary may prescribe by regulation
reasonable fees for the inspection of and the issuance of a certificate, license, or permit related
to small passenger vessels and sailing school
vessels.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7114 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:390a(b)

Section 7114 allows the Secretary to prescribe reasonable fees for the issuance of a certificate of inspection,
license, or registry, or permits related to small passenger vessels and sailing school vessels.

§ 7115. Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established a Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’).
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Committee shall advise
the Secretary on matters relating to—

§ 7116

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

(A) medical certification determinations
for issuance of licences, certificates of registry, and merchant mariners’ documents;
(B) medical standards and guidelines for
the physical qualifications of operators of
commercial vessels;
(C) medical examiner education; and
(D) medical research.
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall consist of 14 members, none of whom is a Federal
employee, and shall include—
(A) ten who are health-care professionals
with particular expertise, knowledge, or experience regarding the medical examinations of merchant mariners or occupational
medicine; and
(B) four who are professional mariners
with knowledge and experience in mariner
occupational requirements.
(2) STATUS OF MEMBERS.—Members of the
Committee shall not be considered Federal
employees or otherwise in the service or the
employment of the Federal Government, except that members shall be considered special
Government employees, as defined in section
202(a) of title 18, United States Code, and shall
be subject to any administrative standards of
conduct applicable to the employees of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
(c) APPOINTMENTS; TERMS; VACANCIES.—
(1) APPOINTMENTS.—The Secretary shall appoint the members of the Committee, and each
member shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.
(2) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed
for a term of five years, except that, of the
members first appointed, three members shall
be appointed for a term of two years.
(3) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed to
fill the vacancy prior to the expiration of the
term for which that member’s predecessor was
appointed shall be appointed for the remainder
of that term.
(d) CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN.—The Secretary shall designate one member of the Committee as the Chairman and one member as the
Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall act as
Chairman in the absence or incapacity of, or in
the event of a vacancy in the office of, the
Chairman.
(e) COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT.—Members
of the Committee shall serve without compensation, except that, while engaged in the performance of duties away from their homes or regular
places of business of the member, the member of
the Committee may be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5.
(f) STAFF; SERVICES.—The Secretary shall furnish to the Committee the personnel and services as are considered necessary for the conduct
of its business.
(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 210(a), Oct. 15,
2010, 124 Stat. 2913.)
FIRST MEETING
Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 210(b), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat.
2914, provided that: ‘‘No later than six months after the

Page 114

date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 15, 2010], the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee established by the amendment made by this section [enacting this section] shall hold its first meeting.’’

§ 7116. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials
(a) REQUIREMENT FOR SAMPLE EXAMS.—The
Secretary shall develop a sample merchant mariner credential examination and outline of merchant mariner examination topics on an annual
basis.
(b) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Each sample examination and outline of topics developed under
subsection (a) shall be readily available to the
public.
(c) MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL DEFINED.—
In this section, the term ‘‘merchant mariner
credential’’ has the meaning that term has in
section 7510.
(Added Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 315(b)(1), Feb.
8, 2016, 130 Stat. 62.)
CHAPTER 73—MERCHANT MARINERS’
DOCUMENTS
Sec.

7301.
7302.
7303.
7304.
7305.
7306.
7307.
7308.
7309.
7310.
7311.
7311a.
7312.
7313.
7314.
7315.
7316.
7317.
7318.
7319.

General.
Issuing merchant mariners’ documents and
continuous discharge books.
Possession and description of merchant mariners’ documents.
Citizenship notation on merchant mariners’
documents.
Oaths for holders of merchant mariners’ documents.
General requirements and classifications for
able seamen.
Able seamen—unlimited.
Able seamen—limited.
Able seamen—special.
Able seamen—offshore supply vessels.
Able seamen—sail.
Able seamen—fishing industry.
Scale of employment.
General requirements for members of engine
departments.
Service requirements for qualified members
of engine departments.
Training.
Lifeboatmen.
Tankermen.
Radiotelegraph operators on Great Lakes.
Records of merchant mariners’ documents.
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Chapter 73 establishes the general requirements for
the issuance of a merchant mariners’ document to
those individuals who are required to have a document
prior to engagement or employment on certain vessels
of the United States.
AMENDMENTS
1984—Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(A), July 17, 1984,
98 Stat. 448, added item 7311a.

§ 7301. General
(a) In this chapter—
(1) ‘‘service on deck’’ means service in the
deck department in work related to the work
usually performed on board vessels by able
seamen and may include service on fishing,
fish processing, fish tender vessels and on public vessels of the United States;
(2) 360 days is equal to one year’s service;
and

§ 7116

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

(A) medical certification determinations
for issuance of licences, certificates of registry, and merchant mariners’ documents;
(B) medical standards and guidelines for
the physical qualifications of operators of
commercial vessels;
(C) medical examiner education; and
(D) medical research.
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall consist of 14 members, none of whom is a Federal
employee, and shall include—
(A) ten who are health-care professionals
with particular expertise, knowledge, or experience regarding the medical examinations of merchant mariners or occupational
medicine; and
(B) four who are professional mariners
with knowledge and experience in mariner
occupational requirements.
(2) STATUS OF MEMBERS.—Members of the
Committee shall not be considered Federal
employees or otherwise in the service or the
employment of the Federal Government, except that members shall be considered special
Government employees, as defined in section
202(a) of title 18, United States Code, and shall
be subject to any administrative standards of
conduct applicable to the employees of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
(c) APPOINTMENTS; TERMS; VACANCIES.—
(1) APPOINTMENTS.—The Secretary shall appoint the members of the Committee, and each
member shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.
(2) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed
for a term of five years, except that, of the
members first appointed, three members shall
be appointed for a term of two years.
(3) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed to
fill the vacancy prior to the expiration of the
term for which that member’s predecessor was
appointed shall be appointed for the remainder
of that term.
(d) CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN.—The Secretary shall designate one member of the Committee as the Chairman and one member as the
Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall act as
Chairman in the absence or incapacity of, or in
the event of a vacancy in the office of, the
Chairman.
(e) COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT.—Members
of the Committee shall serve without compensation, except that, while engaged in the performance of duties away from their homes or regular
places of business of the member, the member of
the Committee may be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5.
(f) STAFF; SERVICES.—The Secretary shall furnish to the Committee the personnel and services as are considered necessary for the conduct
of its business.
(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 210(a), Oct. 15,
2010, 124 Stat. 2913.)
FIRST MEETING
Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 210(b), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat.
2914, provided that: ‘‘No later than six months after the

Page 114

date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 15, 2010], the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee established by the amendment made by this section [enacting this section] shall hold its first meeting.’’

§ 7116. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials
(a) REQUIREMENT FOR SAMPLE EXAMS.—The
Secretary shall develop a sample merchant mariner credential examination and outline of merchant mariner examination topics on an annual
basis.
(b) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Each sample examination and outline of topics developed under
subsection (a) shall be readily available to the
public.
(c) MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL DEFINED.—
In this section, the term ‘‘merchant mariner
credential’’ has the meaning that term has in
section 7510.
(Added Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 315(b)(1), Feb.
8, 2016, 130 Stat. 62.)
CHAPTER 73—MERCHANT MARINERS’
DOCUMENTS
Sec.

7301.
7302.
7303.
7304.
7305.
7306.
7307.
7308.
7309.
7310.
7311.
7311a.
7312.
7313.
7314.
7315.
7316.
7317.
7318.
7319.

General.
Issuing merchant mariners’ documents and
continuous discharge books.
Possession and description of merchant mariners’ documents.
Citizenship notation on merchant mariners’
documents.
Oaths for holders of merchant mariners’ documents.
General requirements and classifications for
able seamen.
Able seamen—unlimited.
Able seamen—limited.
Able seamen—special.
Able seamen—offshore supply vessels.
Able seamen—sail.
Able seamen—fishing industry.
Scale of employment.
General requirements for members of engine
departments.
Service requirements for qualified members
of engine departments.
Training.
Lifeboatmen.
Tankermen.
Radiotelegraph operators on Great Lakes.
Records of merchant mariners’ documents.
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Chapter 73 establishes the general requirements for
the issuance of a merchant mariners’ document to
those individuals who are required to have a document
prior to engagement or employment on certain vessels
of the United States.
AMENDMENTS
1984—Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(A), July 17, 1984,
98 Stat. 448, added item 7311a.

§ 7301. General
(a) In this chapter—
(1) ‘‘service on deck’’ means service in the
deck department in work related to the work
usually performed on board vessels by able
seamen and may include service on fishing,
fish processing, fish tender vessels and on public vessels of the United States;
(2) 360 days is equal to one year’s service;
and

Page 115

§ 7302

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

(3) a day is equal to 8 hours of labor or duty.
(b) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to
carry out this chapter.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541; Pub. L.
98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(B), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat.
448.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7301 ..............................................

46:672(c)

Section 7301 defines ‘‘service on deck’’, ‘‘one year’s
service’’ and ‘‘day’’ with respect to the qualifying time
for the issuance of various types of endorsements as
able seamen. This section also provides the Secretary
with the authority to prescribe regulations to carry
out this chapter.
AMENDMENTS
1984—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 98–364 substituted ‘‘fishing, fish processing, fish tender vessels’’ for ‘‘decked
fishing vessels’’.
MERCHANT MARINE POST-SERVICE CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES
Pub. L. 113–281, title III, § 305(d), Dec. 18, 2014, 128
Stat. 3044, provided that: ‘‘Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2014], the
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall take steps to
promote better awareness, on an ongoing basis, among
Coast Guard personnel regarding post-service use of
Coast Guard training, education, and practical experience in satisfaction of requirements for merchant mariner credentials under section 11.213 of title 46, Code of
Federal Regulations.’’

§ 7302. Issuing merchant mariners’ documents
and continuous discharge books
(a) The Secretary shall issue a merchant mariner’s document to an individual required to have
that document under part F of this subtitle if
the individual satisfies the requirements of this
part. The document serves as a certificate of
identification and as a certificate of service,
specifying each rating in which the holder is
qualified to serve on board vessels on which that
document is required under part F.
(b) The Secretary also may issue a continuous
discharge book to an individual issued a merchant mariner’s document if the individual requests.
(c) The Secretary may not issue a merchant
mariner’s document under this chapter unless
the individual applying for the document makes
available to the Secretary, under section
30305(b)(5) of title 49, any information contained
in the National Driver Register related to an offense described in section 30304(a)(3)(A) or (B) of
title 49 committed by the individual.
(d) The Secretary may review the criminal
record of an individual who applies for a merchant mariner’s document under this section.
(e) The Secretary shall require the testing of
an individual applying for issuance or renewal of
a merchant mariner’s document under this
chapter for the use of a dangerous drug in violation of law or Federal regulation.
(f) PERIODS OF VALIDITY AND RENEWAL OF MERCHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (g), a merchant mariner’s document issued under this chapter is valid for a 5-year

period and may be renewed for additional 5year periods.
(2) ADVANCE RENEWALS.—A renewed merchant mariner’s document may be issued
under this chapter up to 8 months in advance
but is not effective until the date that the previously issued merchant mariner’s document
expires or until the completion of any active
suspension or revocation of that previously issued merchant mariner’s document, whichever
is later.
(g)(1) The Secretary may, pending receipt and
review of information required under subsections (c) and (d), immediately issue an interim merchant mariner’s document valid for a
period not to exceed 120 days, to—
(A) an individual to be employed as gaming
personnel, entertainment personnel, wait
staff, or other service personnel on board a
passenger vessel not engaged in foreign service, with no duties, including emergency duties, related to the navigation of the vessel or
the safety of the vessel, its crew, cargo or passengers; or
(B) an individual seeking renewal of, or
qualifying for a supplemental endorsement to,
a valid merchant mariner’s document issued
under this section.
(2) No more than one interim document may
be issued to an individual under paragraph (1)(A)
of this subsection.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542; Pub. L.
101–380, title IV, §§ 4101(b), 4102(c), Aug. 18, 1990,
104 Stat. 509; Pub. L. 107–295, title III, § 324(a),
Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2104; Pub. L. 108–293, title
VI, § 609(1), Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1058; Pub. L.
109–241, title IX, § 901(h)(1), (2), July 11, 2006, 120
Stat. 564; Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 614(a), Oct.
15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2970.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7302 ..............................................

46:239a(c)
46:643(a)
46:643(c)
46:672(i)

Section 7302(a) requires the Secretary to issue a merchant mariner’s document to qualified individuals required to have that document as a prerequisite to employment on certain vessels of the United States. The
purpose of the document is to serve as positive identification and to specify each rating in which the individual is qualified to serve on vessels.
Subsection (b) allows the Secretary to issue a continuous discharge book to an individual who requests a
book.
AMENDMENTS
2010—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–281 amended subsec. (f)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (f) read as follows: ‘‘Except as provided in subsection (g), a merchant
mariner’s document issued under this chapter is valid
for 5 years and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods.’’
2006—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–241, § 901(h)(1), amended
directory language of Pub. L. 108–293, § 609(1). See 2004
Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 109–241, § 901(h)(2), inserted ‘‘section’’ before
‘‘30305(b)(5)’’ and before ‘‘30304(a)(3)(A)’’.
2004—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–293, § 609(1), as amended
by Pub. L. 109–241, § 901(h)(1), substituted ‘‘30305(b)(5) of
title 49’’ for ‘‘section 206(b)(7) of the National Driver

§ 7303

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

Register Act of 1982 (23 U.S.C. 401 note)’’ and
‘‘30304(a)(3)(A) or (B) of title 49’’ for ‘‘section
205(a)(3)(A) or (B) of that Act’’.
2002—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 107–295, § 324(a)(1), substituted ‘‘Except as provided in subsection (g), a’’ for
‘‘A’’.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 107–295, § 324(a)(2), added subsec.
(g).
1990—Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4101(b),
added subsecs. (c) to (e).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4102(c), added subsec. (f).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2006 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 109–241, title IX, § 901(h)(1), July 11, 2006, 120
Stat. 564, provided that the amendment made by section 901(h)(1) is effective Aug. 9, 2004.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL EXPIRATION
HARMONIZATION
Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 304, Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 53,
provided that:
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection
(c) and not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Feb. 8, 2016], the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall
establish a process to harmonize the expiration dates of
merchant mariner credentials, mariner medical certificates, and radar observer endorsements for individuals
applying to the Secretary for a new merchant mariner
credential or for renewal of an existing merchant mariner credential.
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall ensure that
the process established under subsection (a)—
‘‘(1) does not require an individual to renew a merchant mariner credential earlier than the date on
which the individual’s current credential expires; and
‘‘(2) results in harmonization of expiration dates for
merchant mariner credentials, mariner medical certificates, and radar observer endorsements for all individuals by not later than 6 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act [Feb. 8, 2016].
‘‘(c) EXCEPTION.—The process established under subsection (a) does not apply to individuals—
‘‘(1) holding a merchant mariner credential with—
‘‘(A) an active Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping endorsement; or
‘‘(B) Federal first-class pilot endorsement; or
‘‘(2) who have been issued a time-restricted medical
certificate.’’
CREDITING OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES SERVICE,
TRAINING, AND QUALIFICATIONS
Pub. L. 113–281, title III, § 305(c), Dec. 18, 2014, 128
Stat. 3044, provided that:
‘‘(1) MAXIMIZING CREDITABILITY.—The Secretary of the
department in which the Coast Guard is operating, in
implementing United States merchant mariner license,
certification, and document laws and the International
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, shall maximize the
extent to which United States Armed Forces service,
training, and qualifications are creditable toward
meeting the requirements of such laws and such Convention.
‘‘(2) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2014], the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the steps taken to implement
this subsection.’’
MERCHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS PILOT PROGRAM
Pub. L. 108–293, title VI, § 611, Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat.
1058, provided that: ‘‘The Secretary of the department

Page 116

in which the Coast Guard is operating may conduct a
pilot program to demonstrate methods to improve
processes and procedures for issuing merchant mariners’ documents.’’
TERMINATION OF
AND DOCUMENTS;

EXISTING LICENSES, CERTIFICATES,
APPLICABILITY OF 1990 AMENDMENT

For provisions that a merchant mariner’s document
issued before Aug. 18, 1990, terminates on the day it
would have expired if the amendment to this section by
section 4102(c) of Pub. L. 101–380 were in effect on date
it was issued and was renewed at the end of each 5-year
period under this section, see section 4102(d) of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as a note under section 7106 of this title.

§ 7303. Possession and description of merchant
mariners’ documents
A merchant mariner’s document shall be retained by the seaman to whom issued. The document shall contain the signature, notations of
nationality, age, and physical description, the
photograph, and the home address of the seaman. In addition, the document shall specify the
rate or ratings in which the seaman is qualified
to serve.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542; Pub. L.
107–295, title IV, § 421, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat.
2125.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7303 ..............................................

46:643(a)

Section 7303 requires seamen to retain their merchant mariner’s documents. It also specifies the information that is to be contained in the document.
AMENDMENTS
2002—Pub. L. 107–295 struck out ‘‘the thumbprint,’’
after ‘‘photograph,’’.

§ 7304. Citizenship notation on merchant mariners’ documents
An individual applying for a merchant mariner’s document shall provide satisfactory proof
that the individual is a citizen of the United
States before that notation is made on the document.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7304 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:643(b)

Section 7304 specifies, that before a merchant mariner’s document is noted to specify that the individual
is a U.S. citizen, the individual must provide satisfactory proof that he is a citizen. This does not impose a
requirement of United States citizenship as a condition
for issuance of a document.

§ 7305. Oaths for holders of merchant mariners’
documents
An applicant for a merchant mariner’s document shall take, before issuance of the document, an oath that the applicant will perform
faithfully and honestly all the duties required
by law, and will carry out the lawful orders of
superior officers.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542.)

Page 117

§ 7309

TITLE 46—SHIPPING
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7305 ..............................................

..............................................

The requirement for an oath, drawn from a clause
which had appeared in 46 U.S.C. 672(g), and administered by the Coast Guard to all applicants, was repealed in a 1980 amendment by section 4 of Public Law
96–378 (94 Stat. 1516). Since no specific comment was
made regarding the elimination in 1980 and the agency
has continued to administer an oath to all applicants,
this provision is being reinstated. The Committee believes the oath will contribute to the discipline and
order necessary in the merchant marine.

§ 7306. General requirements and classifications
for able seamen
(a) To qualify for an endorsement as able seaman authorized by this section, an applicant
must provide satisfactory proof that the applicant—
(1) is at least 18 years of age;
(2) has the service required by the applicable
section of this part;
(3) is qualified professionally as demonstrated by an applicable examination or
educational requirements; and
(4) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical condition to perform the seaman’s duties.
(b) The classifications authorized for endorsement as able seaman are the following:
(1) able seaman—unlimited.
(2) able seaman—limited.
(3) able seaman—special.
(4) able seaman—offshore supply vessels.
(5) able seaman—sail.
(6) able seaman—fishing industry.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542; Pub. L.
98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(C), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat.
448.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7306 ..............................................

46:672(b)

Section 7306(a) establishes the minimum requirements an individual must meet before being issued a
merchant mariner’s document endorsed for able seamen.
Subsection (b) establishes the classifications of able
seamen—unlimited, able seamen—limited, able seamen—special, able seamen—offshore supply vessels, and
able seamen—sail.
AMENDMENTS
1984—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 98–364 added par. (6).
EFFECTIVE DATE
Provisions of this section (related to able seaman—
sail) effective Apr. 15, 1984, see section 2(g)(1) of Pub. L.
98–89, set out as a note under section 3101 of this title.
ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN SERVICES TOWARD
ENDORSEMENT AS ABLE SEAMAN
Pub. L. 101–595, title VI, § 602(e)(3), Nov. 16, 1990, 104
Stat. 2992, provided that: ‘‘For the purposes of chapter
73 of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary of
Transportation shall accept the service used by an individual to qualify for an endorsement as able seaman—
fishing industry as qualifying service toward an endorsement as an able seaman—
‘‘(A) under sections 7307 and 7309 of that title; or

‘‘(B) if the service is on board a vessel of at least 100
gross tons, under section 7308 of that title.’’

§ 7307. Able seamen—unlimited
The required service for the endorsement of
able seaman—unlimited, qualified for unlimited
service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 3
years’ service on deck on board vessels operating at sea or on the Great Lakes.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 543.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7307 ..............................................

46:672(b)(1)

Section 7307 requires individuals to have at least 3
years service on deck on vessels operating at sea or on
the Great Lakes before their merchant mariner’s documents can be endorsed as able seamen—unlimited.
ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN SERVICES TOWARD
ENDORSEMENT AS ABLE SEAMAN
Service used to qualify for endorsement as able seaman—fishing industry to be accepted as qualifying
service toward an endorsement under this section, see
section 602(e)(3) of Pub. L. 101–595, set out as a note
under section 7306 of this title.

§ 7308. Able seamen—limited
The required service for the endorsement of
able seaman—limited, qualified for limited service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 18
months’ service on deck on board vessels of at
least 100 gross tons as measured under section
14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of
this title operating on the oceans or navigable
waters of the United States (including the Great
Lakes).
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 543; Pub. L.
104–324, title VII, § 721, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat.
3938.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7308 ..............................................

46:672(b)(2)

Section 7308 establishes the minimum service requirements for an individual to qualify for an endorsement as able seamen—limited.
AMENDMENTS
1996—Pub. L. 104–324 inserted ‘‘as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by
the Secretary under section 14104 of this title’’ after
‘‘100 gross tons’’.
ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN SERVICES TOWARD
ENDORSEMENT AS ABLE SEAMAN
Service used to qualify for endorsement as able seaman—fishing industry to be accepted as qualifying
service toward an endorsement under this section, see
section 602(e)(3) of Pub. L. 101–595, set out as a note
under section 7306 of this title.

§ 7309. Able seamen—special
The required service for the endorsement of
able seaman—special, qualified for special service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 12

§ 7310

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

months’ service on deck on board vessels operating on the oceans or the navigable waters of the
United States (including the Great Lakes).
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 543.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7309 ..............................................

46:672(b)(3)

Section 7309 establishes the minimum service requirements for an individual to qualify as able seamen—special.
ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN SERVICES TOWARD
ENDORSEMENT AS ABLE SEAMAN
Service used to qualify for endorsement as able seaman—fishing industry to be accepted as qualifying
service toward an endorsement under this section, see
section 602(e)(3) of Pub. L. 101–595, set out as a note
under section 7306 of this title.

§ 7310. Able seamen—offshore supply vessels
For service on a vessel of less than 500 gross
tons as measured under section 14502 of this
title, or an alternate tonnage measured under
section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the
Secretary under section 14104 of this title engaged in support of exploration, exploitation, or
production of offshore mineral or energy resources, an individual may be rated as able seaman—offshore supply vessels if the individual
has at least 6 months’ service on deck on board
vessels operating on the oceans or the navigable
waters of the United States (including the Great
Lakes).
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 543; Pub. L.
104–324, title VII, § 722, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat.
3938.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7310 ..............................................

46:672(b)(3)

Section 7310 establishes the minimum service requirements for an individual to serve as able seamen—
offshore supply vessels on vessels of less than 500 gross
tons engaged in the exploration, exploitation, or production of offshore mineral or energy resources.
AMENDMENTS
1996—Pub. L. 104–324 inserted ‘‘as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by
the Secretary under section 14104 of this title’’ after
‘‘500 gross tons’’.

§ 7311. Able seamen—sail
For service on a sailing school vessel on any
waters, an individual may be rated as able seaman—sail if the individual has at least 6
months’ service on deck on sailing school vessels, oceanographic research vessels powered primarily by sail, or equivalent sailing vessels operating on the oceans or navigable waters of the
United States (including the Great Lakes).
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 543.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7311 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:672(b)(4)

Page 118

Section 7311 establishes the minimum service requirements for an individual to qualify as able seamen—sail on board sailing vessels.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective Apr. 15, 1984, see section 2(g)(1) of
Pub. L. 98–89, set out as a note under section 3101 of
this title.

§ 7311a. Able seamen—fishing industry
For service on a fish processing vessel, an individual may be rated as able seaman—fishing industry if the individual has at least 6 months’
service on deck on board vessels operating on
the oceans or the navigable waters of the United
States (including the Great Lakes).
(Added Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(D), July
17, 1984, 98 Stat. 448.)
§ 7312. Scale of employment
(a) Individuals qualified as able seamen—unlimited under section 7307 of this title may constitute all of the able seamen required on a vessel.
(b) Individuals qualified as able seamen—limited under section 7308 of this title may constitute all of the able seamen required on a vessel of less than 1,600 gross tons as measured
under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate
tonnage measured under section 14302 of this
title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title or on a vessel operating
on the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence
River as far east as Sept Iles. Individuals qualified as able seamen—limited may constitute not
more than 50 percent of the number of able seamen required on board other vessels.
(c) Individuals qualified as able seamen—special under section 7309 of this title may constitute—
(1) all of the able seamen required on a vessel of not more than 500 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302
of this title as prescribed by the Secretary
under section 14104 of this title or on a seagoing barge or towing vessel; and
(2) not more than 50 percent of the number
of able seamen required on board other vessels.
(d) Individuals qualified as able seamen—offshore. supply vessel under section 7310 of this
title may constitute all of the able seamen required on board a vessel of less than 500 gross
tons as measured under section 14502 of this title
or 6,000 gross tons as measured under section
14302 of this title engaged in support of exploration, exploitation, or production of offshore
mineral or energy resources. Individuals qualified as able seamen—limited under section 7308
of this title may constitute all of the able seamen required on board a vessel of at least 500
gross tons as measured under section 14502 of
this title or 6,000 gross tons as measured under
section as measured under section 14302 of this
title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title engaged in support of exploration, exploitation, or production of offshore
mineral or energy resources.
(e) When the service of able seamen—limited
or able seamen—special is authorized for only a

Page 119

§ 7313

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

part of the required number of able seamen on
board a vessel, the combined percentage of those
individuals so qualified may not be greater than
50 percent of the required number.
(f) Individuals qualified as able seamen—fishing industry under section 7311a of this title
may constitute—
(1) all of the able seamen required on a fish
processing vessel entered into service before
January 1, 1988, and of more than 1,600 gross
tons but not more than 5,000 gross tons as
measured under section 14502 of this title, or
an alternate tonnage measured under section
14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title; and
(2) all of the able seamen required on a fish
processing vessel entered into service after December 31, 1987, and having more than 16 individuals on board primarily employed in the
preparation of fish or fish products but of not
more than 5,000 gross tons as measured under
section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title
as prescribed by the Secretary under section
14104 of this title.

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–324, § 723(1), inserted ‘‘as
measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title
as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of
this title’’ after ‘‘1,600 gross tons’’.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 104–324, § 723(2), inserted ‘‘as
measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title
as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of
this title’’ after ‘‘500 gross tons’’.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–324, § 723(3), inserted ‘‘as
measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title
as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of
this title’’ after ‘‘500 gross tons’’.
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 104–324, § 723(4), inserted ‘‘as
measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title
as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of
this title’’ after ‘‘5,000 gross tons’’.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 104–324, § 723(5), inserted ‘‘as
measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title
as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of
this title’’ after ‘‘5,000 gross tons’’.
1986—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–307 substituted ‘‘able seamen—limited’’ for ‘‘able seaman—limited’’.
1984—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98–364 added subsec. (f).

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 543; Pub. L.
98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(E), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat.
448; Pub. L. 99–307, § 1(11), May 19, 1986, 100 Stat.
445; Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 723, Oct. 19, 1996,
110 Stat. 3938; Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 617(b),
Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2973.)

§ 7313. General requirements for members of engine departments

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7312 ..............................................

46:672(f)

Section 7312(a) provides that able seamen—unlimited
may constitute all of the able seamen required on a
vessel.
Subsection (b) provides that able seamen—limited
may constitute 100 percent of the able seamen required
on board vessels of less than 600 gross tons operating on
the Great Lakes and 50 percent of the number of able
seamen required on the larger vessels.
Subsection (c) provides that able seamen—special
may constitute 100 percent of the able seamen required
on vessels not more than 500 gross tons, or a seagoing
barge or towing vessel. Able seamen—special may only
constitute up to 50 percent of the number of able seamen required on other vessels.
Subsection (d) provides that able seamen—offshore
supply vessels may constitute 100 percent of the number of able seamen required on vessels of less than 500
gross tons engaged in support of exploration, exploitation, or production of offshore mineral or energy facilities. They may not serve on board other vessels as
an able seaman until they have the appropriate required document.
Subsection (e) provides that the total number of able
seamen—limited or able seamen—special may not be
greater than 50 percent of the required number of able
seamen on a vessel.
AMENDMENTS
2010—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–281 amended subsec. (d)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: ‘‘Individuals qualified as able seamen—offshore
supply vessels under section 7310 of this title may constitute all of the able seamen required on board a vessel
of less than 500 gross tons as measured under section
14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured
under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the
Secretary under section 14104 of this title engaged in
support of exploration, exploitation, or production of
offshore mineral or energy resources.’’

(a) Classes of endorsement as qualified members of the engine department on vessels of at
least 100 gross tons as measured under section
14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of
this title (except vessels operating on rivers or
lakes (except the Great Lakes)) may be prescribed by regulation.
(b) The ratings of wiper and coal passer are
entry ratings and are not ratings as qualified
members of the engine department.
(c) An applicant for an endorsement as qualified member of the engine department must provide satisfactory proof that the applicant—
(1) has the service required by section 7314 of
this title;
(2) is qualified professionally as demonstrated by an applicable examination; and
(3) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical condition to perform the member’s duties.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 544; Pub. L.
104–324, title VII, § 724, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat.
3939.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7313 ..............................................

46:672(g)

Section 7313(a) authorizes the Secretary to establish
classes of endorsement for qualified members of the engine department on vessels of 100 gross tons or more
(except on vessels operating on rivers and lakes (except
the Great Lakes)).
Subsection (b) establishes the entry ratings of wiper
and coal passer, but specifically excludes them as
qualified members of the engine department.
Subsection (c) establishes the minimum qualifications individuals must meet in order to have their documents endorsed as a qualified member of engine department.
AMENDMENTS
1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–324 inserted ‘‘as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate

§ 7314

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as
prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this
title’’ after ‘‘100 gross tons’’.

§ 7314. Service requirements for qualified members of engine departments
To qualify for an endorsement as qualified
member of the engine department, an applicant
must provide proof that the applicant has 6
months’ service in the related entry rating as
described in section 7313(b) of this title.

Page 120

certificates or endorsements as tankerman,
stating the types of oil or hazardous material
that can be handled with safety to the vessel
and the marine environment.
(b) An endorsement as tankerman shall indicate the grades or types of cargo the holder is
qualified and authorized to handle with safety
on board vessels.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 545.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 544.)
Revised section

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7314 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)

7317(a) .........................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:672(g)

Section 7314 requires individuals who wish to have
their documents endorsed as a qualified member of the
engine department must have at least 6 months service
as a wiper or coal passer.

§ 7315. Training
(a) Graduation from a nautical school vessel
approved under law and regulation may be substituted for the service requirements under section 7307 or 7314 of this title.
(b) The satisfactory completion of other
courses of instruction approved by the Secretary
may be substituted for not more than one-third
of the required service on deck at sea under sections 7307–7311 of this title.
(c) The satisfactory completion of other
courses of instruction approved by the Secretary
may be substituted for not more than one-half
of the required service at sea under section 7314
of this title.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 544.)

Section 7317(a) establishes the minimum standards an
individual must meet in order to qualify for an endorsement as tankerman for various types of oil or hazardous substances.
Subsection (b) specifies that the tankerman’s endorsement must specify the grades or types of cargo
the holder is qualified and allowed to handle.

§ 7318. Radiotelegraph operators on Great Lakes
(a) A radiotelegraph operator on the Great
Lakes only shall have a first-class or secondclass radiotelegraph operator’s license issued by
the Federal Communications Commission.
(b) An endorsement as radiotelegraph operator
on the Great Lakes only ends if the holder
ceases to hold the license issued by the Commission.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 545.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7318 ..............................................

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7315 ..............................................

46:391a(10)(C)

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:672(c)

Section 7315 specifies the training or course work
that may be substituted for service requirements for an
endorsement as an able seaman or a qualified member
of the engine department.

§ 7316. Lifeboatmen
To qualify for an endorsement as lifeboatman,
an applicant must provide satisfactory proof
that the applicant—
(1) has the service or training required by
regulation;
(2) is qualified professionally as demonstrated by examination; and
(3) is qualified professionally by actual demonstration.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 544.)

46:229c
46:229g
46:643(a)

Section 7318 specifies that radiotelegraph operators
on the Great Lakes shall have a first-class or secondclass radiotelegraph operator’s license issued by the
FCC and need not be licensed as a radio operator by the
Coast Guard. However, an endorsement as radio telegraph operator has to be noted on his merchant mariners’ document. If the holder ceases to have a valid
FCC license, then the endorsement is terminated automatically without recourse to suspension and revocation proceedings.

§ 7319. Records of merchant mariners’ documents
The Secretary shall maintain records on each
merchant mariner’s document issued, including
the name and address of the seaman to whom issued and the next of kin of the seaman.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 545; Pub. L.
108–293, title IV, § 403, Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1043.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
Revised section
7316 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)

Source section (U.S. Code)

7319 ..............................................

46:643(f)

46:643(l)

Section 7316 establishes the minimum standards an
individual must meet in order to qualify for an endorsement as lifeboatman.

§ 7317. Tankermen
(a) The Secretary shall prescribe procedures,
standards, and qualifications for the issuance of

Section 7319 requires the Secretary to maintain
records on each merchant mariner’s document issued
and the seaman’s next of kin. However, these records
are not open for general or public inspection.
AMENDMENTS
2004—Pub. L. 108–293 struck out at end ‘‘The records
are not open to general or public inspection.’’

Page 121

CHAPTER 75—GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR
LICENSING, CERTIFICATION, AND DOCUMENTATION
Sec.

7501.
7502.
7503.
7504.
7505.
7506.
7507.

7508.
7509.
7510.

§ 7503

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

Duplicates.
Records.
Dangerous drugs as grounds for denial.
Travel and expense reimbursement.
Review of information in National Driver
Register.
Convention tonnage for licenses, certificates,
and documents.
Authority to extend the duration of licenses,
certificates of registry, and merchant mariner documents.
Authority to extend the duration of medical
certificates.
Medical certification by trusted agents.
Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.
AMENDMENTS

2016—Pub. L. 114–120, title III, §§ 309(c), 315(a)(2), Feb.
8, 2016, 130 Stat. 57, 62, added items 7509 and 7510.
2012—Pub. L. 112–213, title III, § 306(b), Dec. 20, 2012,
126 Stat. 1565, added item 7508.
2010—Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 615(b), Oct. 15, 2010, 124
Stat. 2972, added item 7507.
1996—Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 745(b), Oct. 19, 1996,
110 Stat. 3943, added item 7506.
1990—Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4105(c), Aug. 18, 1990,
104 Stat. 513, added item 7505.
1986—Pub. L. 99–640, § 10(b)(2)(B), Nov. 10, 1986, 100
Stat. 3550, added item 7504.

§ 7501. Duplicates
(a) If a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document issued under this part
is lost as a result of a marine casualty, the holder shall be supplied with a duplicate without
cost.
(b) For any other loss, the seaman may obtain
a duplicate on payment of reasonable costs prescribed by regulation by the Secretary.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 545; Pub. L.
99–36, § 1(a)(9)(C), May 15, 1985, 99 Stat. 68.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7501 ..............................................

46:643(h)

Section 7501(a) provides that if a license, certificate
or document issued to an individual is lost due to a marine casualty, the individual will be supplied with a duplicate without cost.
Subsection (b) provides that if a license, certificate
or document is lost for any reason other than a marine
casualty, the seaman must pay a reasonable cost for
the replacement.
AMENDMENTS
1985—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–36 substituted ‘‘certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document’’ for
‘‘certificate, or document’’.

§ 7502. Records
(a) The Secretary shall maintain records, including electronic records, on the issuances, denials, suspensions, and revocations of licenses,
certificates of registry, merchant mariners’ documents, and endorsements on those licenses,
certificates, and documents.
(b) The Secretary may prescribe regulations
requiring a vessel owner or managing operator

of a commercial vessel, or the employer of a seaman on that vessel, to maintain records of each
individual engaged on the vessel subject to inspection under chapter 33 on matters of engagement, discharge, and service for not less than 5
years after the date of the completion of the
service of that individual on the vessel. The regulations may require that a vessel owner, managing operator, or employer shall make these
records available to the individual and the Coast
Guard on request.
(c) A person violating this section, or a regulation prescribed under this section, is liable to
the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 545; Pub. L.
101–380, title IV, § 4114(e), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat.
517; Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 605, Oct. 15, 2010,
124 Stat. 2967.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7502 ..............................................

46:414
46:643(f)

Section 7502 requires the Secretary to maintain
records on the issuances, denials, suspensions, and revocations of licenses, certificates of registry, merchant
mariner’s documents, and endorsements.
AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 111–281 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), substituted ‘‘records, including electronic
records,’’ for ‘‘computerized records’’, and added subsecs. (b) and (c).
1990—Pub. L. 101–380 substituted ‘‘maintain computerized records’’ for ‘‘maintain records’’.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.

§ 7503. Dangerous drugs as grounds for denial
[(a) Repealed. Pub. L. 101–380, title IV,
§ 4103(a)(2)(B), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 511.]
(b) A license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document authorized to be issued under this part may be denied to an individual who—
(1) within 10 years before applying for the license, certificate, or document, has been convicted of violating a dangerous drug law of the
United States or of a State; or
(2) when applying, has ever been a user of, or
addicted to, a dangerous drug unless the individual provides satisfactory proof that the individual is cured.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 545; Pub. L.
99–36, § 1(a)(9)(D), May 15, 1985, 99 Stat. 68; Pub.
L. 101–380, title IV, § 4103(a)(2)(B), Aug. 18, 1990,
104 Stat. 511.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7503(a) .........................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:239a(a)
46:239b(a)

Section 7503 provides that the issuance of a license,
certificate, or document may be denied by the Sec-

§ 7504

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

retary to any individual who has been convicted, within 10 years, of violating a dangerous drug law of the
United States or to any individual who has been a user
of a dangerous drug, unless the individual provides satisfactory proof of being cured. This includes PCP and
LSD. See also the note to section 7704. However, the
Secretary may deny issuing a license, certificate or
document to the individual who has used or been convicted of a ‘‘controlled substance’’ such as LSD if that
use or conviction occurred before the date of enactment of this Act.
AMENDMENTS
1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–380 repealed subsec. (a)
which defined ‘‘dangerous drug’’ for purpose of this section as narcotic drug, controlled substance, and marihuana.
1985—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–36 substituted ‘‘certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document’’ for
first reference to ‘‘certificate, or document’’.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.

§ 7504. Travel and expense reimbursement
When a requirement to qualify for the issuance of, or endorsement on, a certificate, license, or document under this part is administered at a place at the request of an applicant or
an applicant’s representative, the applicant or
representative may reimburse the Secretary for
the travel and subsistence expenses incurred by
the personnel assigned to perform the administration of the requirement. Amounts received as
reimbursement under this section shall be credited to the appropriation for operating expenses
of the Coast Guard.
(Added Pub. L. 99–640, § 10(b)(2)(A), Nov. 10, 1986,
100 Stat. 3549.)
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and
assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities
and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security,
and for treatment of related references, see sections
468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 7505. Review of information in National Driver
Register
The Secretary shall make information received from the National Driver Register under
section 206(b)(7) of the National Driver Register
Act of 1982 (23 U.S.C. 401 note) available to an individual for review and written comment before
denying, suspending, revoking, or taking any
other action relating to a license, certificate of
registry, or merchant mariner’s document authorized to be issued for that individual under
this part, based on that information.
(Added Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4105(b)(1), Aug.
18, 1990, 104 Stat. 512.)
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section applicable to incidents occurring after Aug.
18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L. 101–380, set out as a
note under section 2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.

Page 122

§ 7506. Convention tonnage for licenses, certificates, and documents
Notwithstanding any provision of section
14302(c) or 14305 of this title, the Secretary
may—
(1) evaluate the service of an individual who
is applying for a license, a certificate of registry, or a merchant mariner’s document by
using the tonnage as measured under chapter
143 of this title for the vessels on which that
service was acquired, and
(2) issue the license, certificate, or document
based on that service.
(Added Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 745(a), Oct. 19,
1996, 110 Stat. 3942.)
§ 7507. Authority to extend the duration of licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant
mariner documents
(a) LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRY.—
Notwithstanding sections 7106 and 7107, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast
Guard is operating may—
(1) extend for not more than one year an expiring license or certificate of registry issued
for an individual under chapter 71 if the Secretary determines that the extension is required to enable the Coast Guard to eliminate
a backlog in processing applications for those
licenses or certificates of registry or in response to a national emergency or natural disaster, as deemed necessary by the Secretary;
or
(2) issue for not more than five years an expiring license or certificate of registry issued
for an individual under chapter 71 for the exclusive purpose of aligning the expiration date
of such license or certificate of registry with
the expiration date of a merchant mariner’s
document.
(b) MERCHANT MARINER DOCUMENTS.—Notwithstanding section 7302(g), the Secretary may—
(1) extend for not more than one year an expiring merchant mariner’s document issued
for an individual under chapter 73 if the Secretary determines that the extension is required to enable the Coast Guard to eliminate
a backlog in processing applications for those
licenses or certificates of registry or in response to a national emergency or natural disaster, as deemed necessary by the Secretary;
or
(2) issue for not more than five years an expiring merchant mariner’s document issued
for an individual under chapter 73 for the exclusive purpose of aligning the expiration date
of such merchant mariner’s document with
the expiration date of a merchant mariner’s
document.
(c) MANNER OF EXTENSION.—Any extensions
granted under this section may be granted to individual seamen or a specifically identified
group of seamen.
(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 615(a), Oct. 15,
2010, 124 Stat. 2971; amended Pub. L. 112–213, title
III, § 311, Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1569.)
AMENDMENTS
2012—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–213 substituted ‘‘chapter
71’’ for ‘‘chapter 73’’ in pars. (1) and (2).

Page 123

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

§ 7508. Authority to extend the duration of medical certificates
(a) GRANTING OF EXTENSIONS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
may extend for not more than one year a medical certificate issued to an individual holding a
license, merchant mariner’s document, or certificate of registry issued under chapter 71 or 73
if the Secretary determines that the extension
is required to enable the Coast Guard to eliminate a backlog in processing applications for
medical certificates or is in response to a national emergency or natural disaster.
(b) MANNER OF EXTENSION.—An extension
under this section may be granted to individual
seamen or a specifically identified group of seamen.
(Added Pub. L. 112–213, title III, § 306(a), Dec. 20,
2012, 126 Stat. 1565.)
§ 7509. Medical certification by trusted agents
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other
provision of law and pursuant to regulations
prescribed by the Secretary, a trusted agent
may issue a medical certificate to an individual
who—
(1) must hold such certificate to qualify for
a license, certificate of registry, or merchant
mariner’s document, or endorsement thereto
under this part; and
(2) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical condition to perform the duties of such license, certificate, document, or endorsement,
as determined by the trusted agent.
(b) PROCESS FOR ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES BY
SECRETARY.—A final rule implementing this section shall include a process for—
(1) the Secretary of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating to issue medical
certificates to mariners who submit applications for such certificates to the Secretary;
and
(2) a trusted agent to defer to the Secretary
the issuance of a medical certificate.
(c) TRUSTED AGENT DEFINED.—In this section
the term ‘‘trusted agent’’ means a medical practitioner certified by the Secretary to perform
physical examinations of an individual for purposes of a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document under this part.
(Added Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 309(a), Feb. 8,
2016, 130 Stat. 56.)
IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE
Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 309(b), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat.
57, provided that: ‘‘Not later than 5 years after the date
of the enactment of this Act [Feb. 8, 2016], the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is
operating shall issue a final rule implementing section
7509 of title 46, United States Code, as added by this
section.’’

§ 7510. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials
(a) DISCLOSURE NOT REQUIRED.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary is
not required to disclose to the public—
(1) a question from any examination for a
merchant mariner credential;

§ 7510

(2) the answer to such a question, including
any correct or incorrect answer that may be
presented with such question; and
(3) any quality or characteristic of such a
question, including—
(A) the manner in which such question has
been, is, or may be selected for an examination;
(B) the frequency of such selection; and
(C) the frequency that an examinee correctly or incorrectly answered such question.
(b) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN QUESTIONS.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary may,
for the purpose of preparation by the general
public for examinations required for merchant
mariner credentials, release an examination
question and answer that the Secretary has retired or is not presently on or part of an examination, or that the Secretary determines is appropriate for release.
(c) EXAM REVIEW.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2016, and once every two
years thereafter, the Commandant of the
Coast Guard shall commission a working
group to review new questions for inclusion in
examinations required for merchant mariner
credentials, composed of—
(A) 1 subject matter expert from the Coast
Guard;
(B) representatives from training facilities
and the maritime industry, of whom—
(i) one-half shall be representatives from
approved training facilities; and
(ii) one-half shall be representatives
from the appropriate maritime industry;
(C) at least 1 representative from the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee;
(D) at least 2 representatives from the
State maritime academies, of whom one
shall be a representative from the deck
training track and one shall be a representative of the engineer license track;
(E) representatives from other Coast
Guard Federal advisory committees, as appropriate, for the industry segment associated with the subject examinations;
(F) at least 1 subject matter expert from
the Maritime Administration; and
(G) at least 1 human performance technology representative.
(2) INCLUSION OF PERSONS KNOWLEDGEABLE
ABOUT EXAMINATION TYPE.—The working group
shall include representatives knowledgeable
about the examination type under review.
(3) LIMITATION.—The requirement to convene
a working group under paragraph (1) does not
apply unless there are new examination questions to review.
(4) BASELINE REVIEW.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Within 1 year after the
date of the enactment of the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2016, the Secretary
shall convene the working group to complete
a baseline review of the Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examination,
including review of—

§ 7701

TITLE 46—SHIPPING
(i) the accuracy of examination questions;
(ii) the accuracy and availability of examination references;
(iii) the length of merchant mariner examinations; and
(iv) the use of standard technologies in
administering, scoring, and analyzing the
examinations.

(B) PROGRESS REPORT.—The Coast Guard
shall provide a progress report to the appropriate congressional committees on the review under this paragraph.
(5) FULL MEMBERSHIP NOT REQUIRED.—The
Coast Guard may convene the working group
without all members present if any non-CoastGuard representative is present.
(6) NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT.—The Secretary shall require all members of the working group to sign a nondisclosure agreement
with the Secretary.
(7) TREATMENT OF MEMBERS AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the working group
who is not a Federal Government employee
shall not be considered a Federal employee in
the service or the employment of the Federal
Government, except that such a member shall
be considered a special government employee,
as defined in section 202(a) of title 18 for purposes of sections 203, 205, 207, 208, and 209 of
such title and shall be subject to any administrative standards of conduct applicable to an
employee of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating.
(8) FORMAL EXAM REVIEW.—The Secretary
shall ensure that the Coast Guard Performance Technology Center—
(A) prioritizes the review of examinations
required for merchant mariner credentials;
and
(B) not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization
Act of 2016, completes a formal review, including an appropriate analysis, of the topics and testing methodology employed by
the National Maritime Center for merchant
seamen licensing.
(9) FACA.—The Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to any
working group created under this section to
review the Coast Guard’s merchant mariner
credentialing examinations.
(d) MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL DEFINED.—
In this section, the term ‘‘merchant mariner
credential’’ means a merchant seaman license,
certificate, or document that the Secretary is
authorized to issue pursuant to this title.
(Added Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 315(a)(1), Feb.
8, 2016, 130 Stat. 60; amended Pub. L. 114–328, div.
C, title XXXV, § 3503(a), (b)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130
Stat. 2775.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016, referred to in subsec. (c)(1),
(4)(A), (8)(B), is the date of enactment of Pub. L.
114–120, which was approved Feb. 8, 2016.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in
subsec. (c)(9), is Pub. L. 92–463, Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 770,

Page 124

which is set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government
Organization and Employees.
AMENDMENTS
2016—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 114–328, § 3503(a), in introductory provisions, substituted ‘‘Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016’’ for ‘‘Coast Guard Authorization
Act of 2015’’.
Subsec. (c)(1)(D). Pub. L. 114–328, § 3503(b)(1)(A), substituted ‘‘engineer’’ for ‘‘engine’’.
Subsec. (c)(4)(A), (8)(B). Pub. L. 114–328, § 3503(a), substituted ‘‘Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016’’ for
‘‘Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015’’.
Subsec. (c)(9). Pub. L. 114–328, § 3503(b)(1)(B), inserted
a period after ‘‘App’’.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2016 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 114–328 effective as if included
in the enactment of Pub. L. 114–120, see section 3503(e)
of Pub. L. 114–328, set out as a note under section 60 of
Title 14, Coast Guard.
DISCLOSURE TO CONGRESS
Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 315(c), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat.
62, provided that: ‘‘Nothing in this section [enacting
this section and section 7116 of this title] may be construed to authorize the withholding of information
from an appropriate inspector general, the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, or the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.’’

CHAPTER 77—SUSPENSION AND
REVOCATION
Sec.

7701.
7702.
7703.
7704.
7705.
7706.

General.
Administrative procedure.
Bases for suspension or revocation.
Dangerous drugs as grounds for revocation.
Subpenas and oaths.
Drug testing reporting.
AMENDMENTS

2004—Pub. L. 108–293, title IV, § 414(b), Aug. 9, 2004, 118
Stat. 1047, added item 7706.

§ 7701. General
(a) The purpose of suspension and revocation
proceedings is to promote safety at sea.
(b) Licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant mariners’ documents may be suspended or
revoked for acts described in section 7703 of this
title.
(c) When a license, certificate of registry, or
merchant mariner’s document has been revoked
under this chapter, the former holder may be issued a new license, certificate of registry, or
merchant mariner’s document only after—
(1) the Secretary decides, under regulations
prescribed by the Secretary, that the issuance
is compatible with the requirement of good
discipline and safety at sea; and
(2) the former holder provides satisfactory
proof that the bases for revocation are no
longer valid.
(d) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to
carry out this chapter.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 546; Pub. L.
101–380, title IV, § 4103(c), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat.
511.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7701 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:239(g)