1625-0079 Stat/Authority

§ 12.203

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–14 Edition)

§ 12.203 Creditable service and equivalents for national and STCW ratings
endorsements.
Applicants for endorsements should
refer to § 10.232 of this subchapter for
information regarding requirements
for documentation and proof of sea
service.
§ 12.205 Examination procedures and
denial of rating and STCW endorsements.
(a) The examination fee set out in
Table 1 to § 10.219(a) of this subchapter
must be paid before the applicant may
take the first section of the examination.
(b) Upon receipt of an application for
a rating endorsement, the Coast Guard
will give any required examination as
soon as practicable after determining
that the applicant is otherwise qualified for the endorsement.
(c) An applicant for a rating endorsement who has been duly examined and
failed the examination may seek reexamination at any time after the initial
examination. However, an applicant
who fails an examination for the third
time must wait 90 days before re-testing. All examinations and retests must
be completed within 1 year of approval
for examination.
(d) Upon receipt of an application for
an STCW endorsement, the Coast
Guard will evaluate the applicant’s
qualifications. The Coast Guard will
issue the appropriate endorsement
after determining that the applicant
satisfactorily meets all requirements
for any requested STCW rating or qualification.

Subpart C [Reserved]
Subpart D—Requirements for National Deck Rating Endorsements
§ 12.401 General requirements for able
seaman (A/B) endorsements.
(a) General. An A/B is any person
below officer and above ordinary seaman who holds a merchant mariner
credential (MMC) or merchant mariner
document (MMD) endorsed as A/B by
the Coast Guard.

(b) Categories. The following categories of able seaman endorsements
are established:
(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.
(c) Requirements for certification. To
qualify for an endorsement as able seaman, an applicant must—
(1) Be at least 18 years of age;
(2) Pass the prescribed physical and
medical
examination
requirements
specified in 46 CFR, part 10, subpart C;
(3) Present evidence of having passed
a chemical test for dangerous drugs or
of qualifying for an exemption from
testing as described in § 16.220 of this
subchapter;
(4) Meet the sea service or training
requirements set forth in this part;
(5) Pass an examination for able seaman;
(6) Qualify for an endorsement as
lifeboatman or lifeboatman-limited;
and
(7) Speak and understand the English
language as would be required in performing the general duties of able seaman and during an emergency aboard
ship.
(d) Additional requirements. (1) The
holder of an MMC or MMD endorsed for
the rating of A/B may serve in any rating in the deck department without obtaining an additional endorsement,
provided—
(i) That the holder possesses the appropriate A/B endorsement for the
service of the vessel; and
(ii) That the holder possesses the appropriate STCW endorsement when
serving as an able seafarer-deck or Ratings forming part of the navigational
watch on a seagoing ship.
(2) After March 24, 2014, any MMC endorsed as A/B will also be endorsed as
lifeboatman or lifeboatman-limited, as
appropriate.
(3) The A/B endorsement will clearly
describe the type of rating that it represents (see paragraph (a) of this section).

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