Stat/Authority

§ 10.1001

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

Subpart J—Ro-Ro Passenger Ships
SOURCE: CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34534, June 26,
1997, unless otherwise noted.

§ 10.1001 Purpose of regulations.
The purpose of the regulations in this
subpart is to establish requirements for
officers serving on roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) passenger ships.
§ 10.1003 Definition.
Roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) passenger ship
means a passenger ship with Ro-Ro
cargo spaces or special-category spaces
as defined in the Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended
(SOLAS), to which a SOLAS certificate
is issued.
§ 10.1005 General requirement for license-holders.
To serve on a Ro-Ro passenger ship
after January 31, 1997, a person licensed
as master, chief mate, licensed mate,
chief engineer, or licensed engineer
shall meet the appropriate requirements of STCW Regulation V/2 and
Section A–V/2 of the STCW Code and
shall hold documentary evidence to
show his or her meeting these requirements.

12.02–17 Rules for the preparation and
issuance of documents.
12.02–18 Fees.
12.02–19 Suspension or revocation of documents.
12.02–21 Issuance of documents after revocation.
12.02–23 Issuance of duplicate documents.
12.02–24 Reporting loss or recovery of continuous discharge book, merchant mariners document, or certificate of discharge.
12.02–25 Right of appeal.
12.02–27 Requirements for renewal of a merchant mariner’s document.
12.02–29 Expiration of existing merchant
mariner’s documents.

Subpart 12.03—Approved and Accepted
Training
12.03–1 Coast Guard-accepted training other
than approved courses.

Subpart 12.05—Able Seamen
12.05–1 Certification required.
12.05–3 General requirements.
12.05–5 Physical requirements.
12.05–7 Service or training requirements.
12.05–9 Examination and demonstration of
ability.
12.05–11 General provisions respecting merchant mariner’s document endorsed for
service as able seamen.

Subpart 12.07 [Reserved]
Subpart 12.10—Lifeboatman

PART 12—CERTIFICATION OF
SEAMEN
Subpart 12.01—General
Sec.
12.01–1 Purposes of regulations.
12.01–3 Incorporation by reference.
12.01–6 Definitions of terms used in this
part.
12.01–7 Regional Examination Centers.
12.01–9 Paperwork approval.

Subpart 12.02—General Requirements for
Certification

12.10–1 Certification required.
12.10–3 General requirements.
12.10–5 Examination and demonstration of
ability.
12.10–7 General provisions respecting merchant mariner’s document endorsed as
lifeboatman.
12.10–9 Certificates of proficiency in fast
rescue boats.

Subpart 12.13—Persons Designated To
Provide Medical Care on Board Ship
12.13–1
12.13–3

12.02–3 Where documents are issued.
12.02–4 Basis for denial of documents.
12.02–5 Form in which documents are
issued.
12.02–7 When documents are required.
12.02–9 Application for documents.
12.02–10 Applications for documents from
aliens.
12.02–11 General provisions respecting merchant mariners’ documents.
12.02–13 Citizenship requirements.
12.02–14 Nationality of aliens.
12.02–15 Oath requirement.

Documentary evidence required.
Basis of documentary evidence.

Subpart 12.15—Qualified Member of the
Engine Department
12.15–1 Certification required.
12.15–3 General requirements.
12.15–5 Physical requirements.
12.15–7 Service or training requirements.
12.15–9 Examination requirements.
12.15–11 General provisions respecting merchant mariner’s documents endorsed as
qualified member of the engine department.

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Coast Guard, DOT
12.15–13
12.15–15

§ 12.01–6

Deck engine mechanic.
Engineman.

Subpart 12.25—Certificates of Service for
Ratings Other Than Able Seaman or
Qualified Member of the Engine Department
12.25–1 Certification required.
12.25–10 General requirements.
12.25–20 Food handler.
12.25–25 Members of Merchant Marine Cadet
Corps.
12.25–30 Student observers.
12.25–35 Apprentice engineers.
12.25–40 Apprentice mate.
12.25–45 GMDSS At–sea Maintainer.

Subpart 12.30—Ro–Ro Passenger Ships
12.30–1
12.30–3
12.30–5

Purpose of regulations.
Definitions.
General requirements.

AUTHORITY: 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 2101,
2103, 2110, 7301, 7302, 7503, 7505, 7701; 49 CFR
1.46.
SOURCE: CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30,
1965, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart 12.01—General
§ 12.01–1 Purposes of regulations.
(a) The purposes of the regulations in
this part are to provide—
(1) A comprehensive and adequate
means of determining the identity or
the qualifications an applicant must
possess to be eligible for certification
to serve on merchant vessels of the
United States; and
(2) A means of determining that an
applicant is competent to serve as a
‘‘rating forming part of a navigational
watch’’ or a ‘‘rating forming part of an
engine-room watch’’, or is otherwise
‘‘designated to perform duties in a periodically unmanned engine-room’’, on a
seagoing ship, in accordance with the
provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers,
1978, as amended (STCW), and to receive the certificate or endorsement required by STCW.
(b) The regulations in subpart 12.03 of
this part prescribe the requirements
applicable to all training and assessment associated with meeting the
standards of competence established by
STCW.
[CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34534, June 26, 1997]

§ 12.01–3 Incorporation by reference.
(a) Certain material is incorporated
by reference into this part with the approval of the Director of the Federal
Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1
CFR part 51. To enforce any edition
other than that specified in paragraph
(b) of this section, the Coast Guard
must publish notice of change in the
FEDERAL REGISTER and must ensure
that the material is available to the
public. All approved material is available for inspection at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC,
and at the U.S. Coast Guard, Office of
Operating and Environmental Standards, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593–0001, and is available
from the sources indicated in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) The material approved for incorporation by reference in this part and
the sections affected are as follows:
International Maritime Organization
(IMO)
4 Albert Embankment, London, SE1
7SR, England
STCW—International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification
and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978,
as amended in 1995 (STCW Convention),
and Seafarer’s Training, Certification
and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code)—
12.01–1; 12.01–6; 12.02–7; 12.02–11; 12.05–3;
12.05–7; 12.05–11; 12.10–3; 12.10–5; 12.10–7;
12.10–9; 12.10–11; 12.15–3; 12.15–7; 12.25–45;
12.30–5.
[CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34534, June 26, 1997; CGD
95–062, 62 FR 40140, July 25, 1997; USCG–1998–
4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998; USCG–1999–
6216, 64 FR 53223, Oct. 1, 1999]

§ 12.01–6 Definitions of terms used in
this part.
Approved means approved by the
Coast Guard in accordance with 46 CFR
10.302.
Coast Guard-accepted means that the
Coast Guard has officially acknowledged in writing that the material or
process at issue meets the applicable
requirements; that the Coast Guard
has issued an official policy statement
listing or describing the material or
process as meeting the applicable requirements; or that an entity acting on
behalf of the Coast Guard under a

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§ 12.01–6

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

Memorandum of Agreement has determined that the material or process
meets the applicable requirements.
Conviction means the applicant for a
merchant mariner’s document has been
found guilty by judgment or plea by a
court of record of the United States,
the District of Columbia or any State
or territory of the United States of a
criminal felony or misdemeanor or of
an offense described in section 205 of
the National Driver Register Act of
1982 (49 U.S.C. 30304). If an applicant
pleads guilty or no contest, is granted
deferred adjudication, or is required by
the court to attend classes, make contributions of time or money, receive
treatment, submit to any manner of
probation or supervision, or forego appeal of a trial court’s conviction, then
the applicant will be considered to
have received a conviction. A later
expungement of the conviction will not
negate a conviction unless it is proved
to the OCMI that the expungement is
based upon a showing that the court’s
earlier conviction was in error.
Designated examiner means a person
who has been trained or instructed in
techniques of training or assessment
and is otherwise qualified to evaluate
whether a candidate for a license, document, or endorsement has achieved the
level of competence required to hold
the license, document, or endorsement.
This person may be designated by the
Coast Guard, or by a Coast Guard-approved or accepted program of training
or assessment. A faculty member employed at a State maritime academy or
the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy operated in accordance with regulations
in 46 CFR part 310 and instructing in a
navigation or engineering course is
qualified to serve as a designated examiner in his or her area(s) of specialization without individual evaluation
by the Coast Guard.
Evaluation means processing an application, from the point of receipt to approval or rejection of the application,
including review of all documents and
records submitted with an application
as well as those obtained from public
records and databases.
Fails a chemical test for dangerous
drugs means that the result of a chemical test conducted in accordance with
49 CFR part 40 is reported as ‘‘positive’’

for the presence of dangerous drugs or
drug metabolites in an individual’s system by a Medical Review Officer in accordance with that part.
National Driver Register (NDR) means
the nationwide repository of information on drivers maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as provided under 49 U.S.C.
Chapter 303.
NDR listed convictions means a conviction of any of the following motor vehicle-related offenses or comparable offenses:
(a) Operating a motor vehicle while
under the influence of, or impaired by,
alcohol or a controlled substance; or
(b) A traffic violation arising in connection with a fatal traffic accident,
reckless driving, or racing on the highways.
Original document means the first
merchant mariner’s document issued
to any person by the Coast Guard.
Passes a chemical test for dangerous
drugs means the result of a chemical
test conducted in accordance with 49
CFR part 40 is reported as ‘‘negative’’
by a Medical Review Officer in accordance with that part.
Practical demonstration means the performance of an activity under the direct observation of a designated examiner for the purpose of establishing
that the performer is sufficiently proficient in a practical skill to meet a
specified standard of competence or
other objective criterion.
Qualified instructor means a person
who has been trained or instructed in
instructional techniques and is otherwise qualified to provide required
training to candidates for licenses, documents, and endorsements. A faculty
member employed or at a State maritime academy or the U.S. Merchant
Marine Academy operated in accordance with 46 CFR part 310 and instructing in a navigation or engineering
course is qualified to serve as a qualified instructor in his or her area(s) of
specialization without individual evaluation by the Coast Guard.
Qualified rating means various categories of Able Seaman, Qualified
Member of the Engine Department,
Lifeboatman, or Tankerman endorsements on merchant mariner’s documents.

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§ 12.02–3

Standard of competence means the
level of proficiency to be achieved for
the proper performance of duties on
board vessels in accordance with national and international criteria.
STCW means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995.
STCW Code means the Seafarer’s
Training,
Certification
and
Watchkeeping Code.
STCW endorsement means a certificate or endorsement issued in accordance with STCW. An STCW endorsement issued by the Officer in Charge,
Marine Inspection (OCMI), will be valid
only when accompanied by the appropriate U.S. license or document; and, if
the license or document is revoked,
then the associated STCW endorsement
will no longer be valid for any purpose.
References to STCW placed on a U.S.
license or merchant mariner’s document will suffice as STCW endorsements for the mariner serving on a vessel operating exclusively on a domestic
voyage (i.e., to and from U.S. ports or
places subject to U.S. jurisdiction).
[CGD 91–002, 58 FR 15238, Mar. 19, 1993, as
amended by CGD 91–223, 60 FR 4525, Jan. 23,
1995; CGD 91–212, 60 FR 65487, Dec. 19, 1995;
CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34534, June 26, 1997; CGD
97–057, 62 FR 51042, Sept. 30, 1997]

§ 12.01–7 Regional Examination Centers.
Licensing and Certification functions
are performed only by the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection, at the following locations:
Boston, MA
New York, NY
Baltimore, MD
Charleston, SC
Miami, FL
New Orleans, LA
Houston, TX
Memphis, TN
St. Louis, MO

Toledo, OH
San Pedro, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Anchorage, AK
Juneau, AK
Honolulu, HI
Portland, OR

Where the term Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, or Marine Inspection Office is used within the context of this
part it is to mean that Officer or Office
at one of the above listed locations.
[CGD 82–033, 47 FR 28679, July 1, 1982, as
amended by CGD 91–002, 58 FR 15239, Mar. 19,
1993; USCG–2000–7790, 65 FR 58458, Sept. 29,
2000]

§ 12.01–9 Paperwork approval.
(a) This section lists the control
numbers assigned by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96–
511) for the reporting and record keeping requirements in this part.
(b) The following control numbers
have been assigned to the sections indicated:
(1) OMB 2115–0624—46 CFR 12.02–17
and 12.03–1.
(2) [Reserved]
[CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34535, June 26, 1997]

Subpart 12.02—General
Requirements for Certification
§ 12.02–3 Where documents are issued.
(a) Certificates of identification, certificates of service, certificates of efficiency, and continuous discharge books
are issued to applicants qualifying
therefor at any Marine Inspection Office of the Coast Guard during usual
business hours.
(b)(1) Coast Guard Merchant Marine
Details abroad are authorized to conduct examinations for upgrading of
seamen, but are not prepared to conduct the physical examination where
required. Merchant Marine Details will
therefore not issue regular certificates,
but temporary permits in lieu thereof.
Merchant Marine Details will instruct
the recipient of each temporary permit
to present it to the Officer in Charge,
Marine Inspection, upon arrival in the
first port in the United States in which
a Marine Inspection Office is located in
order to exchange it for a permanent
certificate.
(2) The temporary permit shall be accepted in a Marine Inspection Office as
proof that the bearer has complied
with the rules and regulations governing the issuance of certificates, except as noted in the body of the temporary permit. The requirements noted
in the exceptions will be complied with
as in the case of other applicants.
(3) The written examinations are forwarded to the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center by Merchant
Marine Details, and any Marine Inspection Office at which an applicant with
a temporary permit appears may request and obtain the examination in

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§ 12.02–4

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

the case from the Commanding Officer,
National Maritime Center. Any Marine
Inspection Office which doubts the propriety of issuing a permanent certificate in lieu of a temporary permit
which has been issued by a foreign Merchant Marine Detail shall inform the
Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center fully as to the circumstances.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29,
1995; USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30,
1998]

§ 12.02–4 Basis for denial of documents.
(a) No person who has been convicted
by a court of record of a violation of
the dangerous drug laws of the United
States, the District of Columbia, or
any State or territory of the United
States is eligible for an original merchant mariner’s document, except as
provided by the provisions of paragraph
(c) of this section. No person who has
ever been the user of, or addicted to
the use of, a dangerous drug, or has
ever been convicted of an offense described in section 205 of the National
Driver Register Act of 1982 (49 U.S.C.
30304) due to the addiction or abuse of
alcohol is eligible for a merchant mariner’s document unless he or she furnishes satisfactory evidence of suitability for service in the merchant marine as provided in paragraph (e) of this
section.
(b) An applicant who fails a chemical
test for dangerous drugs required by
§ 12.02–9 will not be issued a merchant
mariner’s document.
(c) Criminal Record Review. The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, may
require a criminal record check of an
applicant for a merchant mariner’s
document issued as an original or reissued with a new expiration date. An
applicant
conducting
simultaneous
merchant mariner’s credential transactions shall undergo only one criminal record check. Applicants must provide written disclosure of all prior convictions at the time of application.
(1) If a criminal record check is required by the Officer in Charge, Marine
Inspection, applicants shall provide
fingerprints at the time of application.
The fingerprints will be used to deter-

mine whether the applicant has a
record of a criminal conviction. An application may be disapproved if the individual’s criminal record leads the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection to
determine that the applicant cannot be
entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of the merchant mariner’s
document for which application is
made. If an application is disapproved,
the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will notify the applicant in writing of the reason(s) for disapproval and
advise the applicant that the appeal
procedures in § 1.03 of this chapter
apply. No examination will be given
pending decision on appeal.
(2) The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will use table 12.02–4(c) to
evaluate applicants for merchant mariner’s documents who have criminal
convictions. The table lists major categories of criminal activity and is not
to be construed as an all-inclusive list.
If an applicant is convicted of an offense that does not appear on the list,
the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will establish an appropriate assessment period using the list as a
guide. The assessment period commences when an applicant is no longer
incarcerated. The applicant must establish proof of the time incarcerated
and periods of probation and parole to
the satisfaction of the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection. The assessment period may include supervised or
unsupervised probation or parole. A
conviction for a drug offense more than
10 years prior to the date of application
will not alone be grounds for denial.
(3) When an applicant has convictions
for more than one offense, the minimum assessment period will be the
longest minimum in table 12.02–4(c) and
table 12.02–4(d) based upon the applicant’s convictions; the maximum assessment period will be the longest
shown in table 12.02–4(c) and table
12.02–4(d) based upon the applicant’s
convictions.
(4) If a person with a criminal conviction applies for a merchant mariner’s
document before the minimum assessment period shown in table 12.02–4(c),
or established by the Officer in Charge,
Marine Inspection under paragraph
(c)(2) of this section has elapsed, then
the applicant must provide, as part of

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§ 12.02–4

the application package, evidence of
suitability for service in the merchant
marine. Factors which are evidence of
suitability for service in the merchant
marine are listed in paragraph (e) of
this section. The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will consider the applicant’s evidence submitted with the application and may issue the merchant
mariner’s document in less than the
listed minimum assessment period if
the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection is satisfied that the applicant is
suitable to hold the merchant mariner’s document for which he or she has
applied. If an application filed before
the minimum assessment period has
elapsed does not include evidence of
suitability for service in the merchant
marine, then the application will be
considered incomplete and will not be
processed by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection until the applicant provides the necessary evidence as set
forth in paragraph (e) of this section.
(5) If a person with a criminal conviction applies for a merchant mariner’s
document during the time between the
minimum and maximum assessment
periods shown in table 12.02–4(c) or established by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection under paragraph (c)(2)
of this section, then the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection shall consider the conviction and, unless there
are offsetting factors, shall grant the
applicant the merchant mariner’s document for which he or she has applied.
Offsetting factors include such factors
as multiple convictions, failure to comply with court orders (e.g., child sup-

port orders), previous failures at rehabilitation or reform, inability to maintain steady employment, or any connection between the crime and the safe
operation of a vessel. If the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection considers
the applicant unsuitable for service in
the merchant marine at the time of application, the Officer in Charge, Marine
Inspection may disapprove the application.
(6) If a person with a criminal conviction applies for a merchant mariner’s
document after the maximum assessment period shown in table 12.02–4(c) or
established by the Officer in Charge,
Marine Inspection under paragraph
(c)(2) of this section has elapsed, then
the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will grant the applicant the merchant mariner’s document for which he
or she has applied unless the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection considers
the applicant still unsuitable for service in the merchant marine. If the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection disapproves an applicant with a conviction older than the maximum assessment period listed in table 12.02–4(c),
the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will notify the applicant in writing of the reason(s) for the disapproval
including the Officer in Charge, Marine
Inspection’s reason(s) for considering a
conviction older than the maximum assessment period listed in table 12.02–
4(c). The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will also inform the applicant,
in writing, that the reconsideration
and appeal procedures contained in
§ 1.03 of this chapter apply.

TABLE 12.02–4(C)—GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING APPLICANTS FOR MERCHANT MARINER’S
DOCUMENTS WHO HAVE CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS
Assessment periods
Crime 1
Minimum

Maximum

Crimes Against Persons
Homicide (intentional) ............................................................................................
Homicide (unintentional) ........................................................................................
Assault (aggravated) .............................................................................................
Assault (simple) .....................................................................................................
Sexual Assault (rape, child molestation) ...............................................................
Other crimes against persons 2.

7
5
5
1
5

years .......................
years .......................
years .......................
year ........................
years .......................

20 years.
10 years.
10 years.
5 years.
10 years.

Vehicular Crimes
Conviction involving fatality ...................................................................................
Reckless Driving ....................................................................................................
Racing on the Highway .........................................................................................

1 year ........................
1 year ........................
1 year ........................

5 years.
2 years.
2 years.

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§ 12.02–4

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

TABLE 12.02–4(C)—GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING APPLICANTS FOR MERCHANT MARINER’S
DOCUMENTS WHO HAVE CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS—Continued
Assessment periods
Crime 1
Minimum
Other vehicular

Maximum

crimes 2.
Crimes Against Public Safety

Destruction of Property .........................................................................................
Other crimes against public safety 2.

5 years .......................

10 years.

Crimes Involving National Security
Terrorism, Acts of Sabotage, Espionage and related offenses ............................

7 years .......................

20 years.

5 years .......................
1 year ........................

10 years.
10 years.

Dangerous Drug Offenses 3,4,5
Trafficking (sale, distribution, transfer) ..................................................................
Dangerous drugs (Use or possession) .................................................................
Other dangerous drug convictions 6.

1 Conviction of attempts, solicitations, aiding and abetting, accessory after the fact, and conspiracies to commit the criminal
conduct listed in this table carry the same minimum and maximum assessment periods provided in the table.
2 Other crimes are to be reviewed by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection to determine the minimum and maximum assessment periods depending on the nature of the crime.
3 Applicable to original applications only. Any applicant who has ever been the user of, or addicted to the use of, a dangerous
drug shall meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section. Note: Applicants for reissue of a merchant mariner’s document
with a new expiration date including a renewal or additional endorsement(s), who have been convicted of a dangerous drug offense while holding a merchant mariner’s document, may have their application withheld until appropriate action has been completed by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection under the regulations which appear in 46 CFR part 5 governing the administrative actions against merchant mariner credentials.
4 The OCMI may consider dangerous drug convictions more than 10 years old only if there has been a dangerous drug conviction within the past 10 years.
5 Applicants must demonstrate rehabilitation under paragraph (e) of this section, including applicants with dangerous drug use
convictions more than ten years old.
6 Other dangerous drug convictions are to be reviewed by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection on a case by case basis to
determine the appropriate assessment period depending on the nature of the offense.

(d) National Driver Register. A merchant mariner’s document will not be
issued or reissued with a new expiration date unless the applicant consents
to a check of the NDR for offenses described in section 205(a)(3)(A) or (B) of
the NDR Act (i.e., operation of a motor
vehicle while under the influence of, or
impaired by, alcohol or a controlled
substance; and any traffic violations
arising in connection with a fatal traffic accident, reckless driving, or racing
on the highways). The Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection will not consider NDR listed civil convictions that
are more than 3 years old from the date
of request unless that information relates to the current suspension or revocation of the applicant’s license to operate a motor vehicle. The Officer in
Charge Marine Inspection may determine minimum and maximum assessment periods for NDR listed criminal
convictions using table 12.02–4(c). An
applicant
conducting
simultaneous
merchant mariner’s credential trans-

actions is subject to only one NDR
check.
(1) Any application may be disapproved if information from the NDR
check leads the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection to determine that the
applicant cannot be entrusted with the
duties and responsibilities of the merchant mariner’s document for which
the application is made. If an application is disapproved, the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection will notify
the applicant in writing of the reason(s) for disapproval and advise the
applicant that the appeal procedures in
§ 1.03 of this chapter apply. No examination will be given or merchant
mariner’s document issued pending decision on appeal.
(2) Prior to disapproving an application because of information received
from the NDR, the Officer in Charge,
Marine Inspection will make the information available to the applicant for
review and written comment. The applicant may submit reports from the

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§ 12.02–4

applicable State concerning driving
record and convictions to the Coast
Guard Regional Examination Center
(REC) processing the application. The
REC will hold an application with NDR
listed convictions pending the completion of the evaluation and delivery by
the individual of the underlying State
records.
(3) The guidelines in table 12.02–4(d)
will be used by the Officer in Charge,
Marine Inspection when evaluating applicants for merchant mariner’s documents who have drug or alcohol related
NDR listed convictions. Non-drug or alcohol related NDR listed convictions
will be evaluated by the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection under table
12.02–4(c) as applicable.
(4) An applicant may request an NDR
file check for personal use in accordance with the Federal Privacy Act of
1974 (Pub. L. 93–579) by contacting the
NDR at the following address: National

Driver Register, Nassif Building, 400
7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20590.
(i) Applicants should request Form
NDR–PRV or provide the following information on a notarized letter:
(A) Full legal name;
(B) Other names used;
(C) Complete mailing address;
(D) Driver license number;
(E) Eye color;
(F) Social security number;
(G) Height;
(H) Weight; and
(I) Sex.
(ii) The NDR will respond to every
valid inquiry including requests which
produce no record(s) on the NDR file.
Records can be made available, within
a reasonable amount of time after the
request, for personal inspection and
copying during regular working hours
at 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., each day except Federal holidays.

TABLE 12.02–4(D)—GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING APPLICANTS FOR MERCHANT MARINER’S DOCUMENTS WHO HAVE NDR MOTOR VEHICLE CONVICTIONS INVOLVING DANGEROUS DRUGS OR ALCOHOL 1
No. of convictions

Date of conviction

Assessment period

1 ..................................
1 ..................................

Less than 1 year .........................
More than 1, less than 3 years ...

1 ..................................
2 or more ....................

More than 3 years old .................
Any less than 3 years old ...........

2 or more ....................

All more than 3 years old ............

1 year from date of conviction.
Application will be processed, unless suspension, or revocation 2 is
still in effect. Applicant will be advised that additional conviction(s) may jeopardize merchant mariner credentials.
Not necessary unless suspension or revocation is still in effect.
1 year since last conviction and at least 3 years from 2nd most recent conviction, unless suspension or revocation is still in effect.
Application will be processed unless suspension or revocation is
still in effect.

1 Any applicant who has ever been the user of, or addicted to the use of, a dangerous drug shall meet the requirements of
paragraph (a) of this section.
2 Suspension or revocation, when referred to in table 12.02–4(d), means a State suspension or revocation of a motor vehicle
operator’s license.

(e) If an applicant for an original
merchant mariner’s document has one
or more alcohol or dangerous drug related criminal or NDR listed convictions; if the applicant has ever been the
user of, or addicted to the use of, a dangerous drug; or if the applicant applies
before the minimum assessment period
for his or her conviction has elapsed;
the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection may consider the following factors, as applicable, in assessing the applicant’s suitability to hold a merchant
mariner’s document. This list is intended as a guideline. The Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection may con-

sider other factors which he or she
judges appropriate, such as:
(1) Proof of completion of an accredited alcohol- or drug-abuse rehabilitation program.
(2) Active membership in a rehabilitation or counseling group, such as Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous.
(3) Character references from persons
who can attest to the applicant’s sobriety, reliability, and suitability for employment in the merchant marine including parole or probation officers.
(4) Steady employment.

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§ 12.02–5

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

(5) Successful completion of all conditions of parole or probation.
[CGFR 69–116, 35 FR 6860, Apr. 30, 1970, as
amended by CGD 91–223, Jan. 23, 1995; CGD
95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29, 1995; CGD 91–212,
60 FR 65487, Dec. 19, 1995]

§ 12.02–5 Form in which documents
are issued.
(a) Every certificate of service, certificate of efficiency, or certificate of
identification issued or reissued after
November 1, 1945, shall be in the form
of a merchant mariner’s document,
Coast Guard Form CG–2838, and wherever such certificates are mentioned in
this part they shall be deemed to include merchant mariner’s documents
representing such certificates.
(b) Continuous discharge books are
issued on Coast Guard Form CG–719.
§ 12.02–7 When documents are required.
(a) Every seaman employed on any
merchant vessel of the United States of
100 gross tons or upward, except vessels
employed exclusively in trade on the
navigable rivers of the United States,
shall be issued, at the option of the
seaman, a continuous discharge book, a
certificate of identification, or merchant mariner’s document representing
such certificate of identification,
which shall be retained by him. This
book or certificate of identification or
merchant mariner’s document will bear
a number, and this same number shall
be shown on all certificates of service
or efficiency issued to the holder of the
book or certificate or document. Provisions of this section are not applicable
to unrigged vessels except seagoing
barges and certain tank barges.
(b) Every seaman, as referred to in
paragraph (a) of this section, shall
produce a continuous discharge book or
certificate of identification or merchant mariner’s document representing
such a certificate to the United States
shipping commissioner before signing
Articles of Agreement, and where the
seaman is not signed on before a shipping commissioner, one of these documents shall be exhibited to the master
of the vessel at the time of his employment. Seamen who do not possess one
of these documents may be employed
at a foreign port or place.

(c)(1) Every person employed on any
merchant vessel of the United States of
100 gross tons and upward, except those
navigating rivers exclusively and the
smaller inland lakes, below the rank of
licensed officer and registered staff officer, shall possess a valid certificate of
service, or merchant mariner’s document representing such certificate,
issued by an Officer in Charge, Marine
Inspection.
(2) No certificate of service or efficiency is required of any person below
the rank of licensed officer employed
on any unrigged vessel except seagoing
barges and certain tank barges.
(3) No certificate of service or efficiency is required of any person below
the rank of licensed officer employed
on any sail vessel of less than 500 net
tons while not carrying passengers for
hire and while not operating outside
the line dividing inland waters from
the high seas, as defined in section 2 of
the act of February 19, 1895, as amended (33 U.S.C. 151) and in 33 CFR part 82.
(d) After January 31, 1997, each person serving as a rating forming part of
a navigational watch on a seagoing
ship of 500 gross tons or more shall
hold an STCW endorsement certifying
him or her as qualified to perform the
navigational function at the support
level, in accordance with STCW.
(e) After January 31, 2002, each person serving as a rating forming part of
a watch in a manned engine-room or
designated to perform duties in a periodically unmanned engine-room, on a
seagoing ship driven by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW [1,000 hp] of
propulsion power or more, shall hold an
STCW endorsement certifying him or
her as qualified to perform the marineengineering function at the support
level, in accordance with STCW.
(f) Notwithstanding any other rule in
this part, no unlicensed person serving
on any of the following vessels needs
hold an STCW endorsement, either because he or she is exempt from application of the STCW, or because the vessels are not subject to further obligation under STCW, on account of their
special operating conditions as small
vessels engaged in domestic voyages:
(1) Small passenger vessels subject to
subchapter T or K of title 46, CFR.

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Coast Guard, DOT

§ 12.02–10

(2) Vessels of less than 200 GRT
(other than passenger vessels subject
to subchapter H of title 46, CFR).
(3) Uninspected passenger vessels as
defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(42).
(4) Fishing vessels as defined in 46
U.S.C. 2101(11)(a).
(5) Fishing vessels used as fish-tender
vessels as defined in 46 U.S.C.
2101(11)(c).
(6) Barges as defined in 46 U.S.C.
2101(2), including non-self-propelled
mobile offshore-drilling units.
(7) Vessels operating exclusively on
the Great Lakes.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34535, June 26,
1997]

§ 12.02–9 Application for documents.
(a) An applicant for a certificate of
service, certificate of efficiency, certificate of identification, continuous
discharge book, or merchant mariner’s
document, shall make written application, in duplicate, on Coast Guard
Form CG–719–b and shall appear in person before an Officer in Charge, Marine
Inspection, or other person authorized
to issue documents. This application
may be for the certificates or the rating endorsement for which the seaman
believes he is qualified. In the case of a
seaman applying for his first certificate, other than certificate of identification, the application shall include a
request for either a continuous discharge book or a merchant mariner’s
document representing a certificate of
identification, at the option of the applicant.
(b)(1) When the application is submitted for a certificate of identification, certificate of service, certificate
of efficiency, merchant mariner’s document, or any combination thereof, or a
continuous discharge book, the seaman
shall furnish three unmounted dull finish photographs of passport type (2
inches by 11⁄2 inches) taken within one
year and showing the full face at least
one inch in height with head uncovered.
(2) When the application requests a
continuous discharge book in addition
to a certificate of service or certificate
of efficiency or merchant mariner’s
document one additional photograph
shall be furnished.

(c) An applicant for a document
where sea service is required shall
produce with his application discharges
or other documentary evidence of his
service, indicating the name of the vessels and dates on which he has had
service, in what capacity and on what
waters.
(d) If the applicant possesses a continuous discharge book, certificate of
identification, or merchant mariner’s
document representing such certificate, it shall be exhibited at the time
of making application for any other
document.
(e) Approved applications are valid
for 12 months.
(f) Except for applicants requesting
an inactive merchant mariner’s document renewal under § 12.02–27(g) of this
part, to obtain an original issuance of
a merchant mariner’s document, the
first endorsement as an able seaman,
lifeboatman, qualified member of the
engine department, or tankerman, or a
reissuance of a merchant mariner’s
document with a new expiration date,
each applicant shall present evidence
of having passed a chemical test for
dangerous drugs or of qualifying for an
exception from testing in § 16.220 of this
subchapter.
(g) Each applicant for an original
merchant mariner’s document may be
required to submit to a criminal record
check as required by § 12.02–4(c).
(h) Each applicant for an original
merchant mariner’s document or a
merchant mariner’s document reissued
with a new expiration date shall comply with the NDR requirements in
§ 12.02–4(d).
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 74–178, 40 FR 57673, Dec. 11,
1975; CGD 91–211, 59 FR 49300, Sept. 27, 1994;
CGD 91–223, 60 FR 4525, Jan. 23, 1995; CGD 91–
212, 60 FR 65489, Dec. 19, 1995]

§ 12.02–10 Applications for documents
from aliens.
(a) No application from an alien for a
certificate of service, certificate of efficiency, certificate of identification,
continuous discharge book, or merchant mariner’s document shall be accepted unless the alien presents acceptable documentary evidence from the
United States Immigration and Naturalization Service that he is lawfully

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§ 12.02–11

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

admitted to the United States for permanent residence.
(b) This evidence may be in the form
of an alien registration receipt card
issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service bearing the certification that the alien was admitted to
the United States as an immigrant, or
a declaration of intention to become a
citizen of the United States issued by a
naturalization court.
§ 12.02–11 General provisions respecting merchant mariners’ documents.
(a) As provided in § 12.02–5, every certificate of service, certificate of efficiency, or certificate of identification
issued or reissued shall be in the form
of a merchant mariner’s document,
Coast Guard Form CG–2838.
(b) Any licensed officer or unlicensed
seaman currently holding, in a valid
status, any of the documents listed in
paragraph (a) of this section may, upon
request and without examination, be
issued a merchant mariner’s document.
(c) A merchant mariner’s document
shall be a certificate of service authorizing the holder to serve in any rating
endorsed thereon, or in any lower rating in the same department, or in any
rating covered by a general endorsement thereon.
(d)(1) A merchant mariner’s document issued to a licensed deck officer
will be endorsed for, any unlicensed rating in the deck department except able
seaman, and will be a certificate of
service authorizing the holder to serve
in any unlicensed capacity in the deck
department except able seaman without being required to present his license. If a licensed deck officer qualifies as able seaman the merchant mariner’s document will be endorsed, any
unlicensed rating in the deck department
including able seaman, and such endorsement will be deemed to include a
certificate of efficiency as lifeboatman.
(2) A merchant mariner’s document
issued to an engineer officer licensed
for inspected vessels of over 2,000 horsepower will be endorsed for any unlicensed rating in the engine department,
and will be a certificate of service authorizing the holder to serve in any unlicensed capacity in the engine department without being required to present
his license. If a licensed engineer quali-

fies as a lifeboatman, the further endorsement, lifeboatman, will be placed
on the merchant mariner’s document.
(3) A merchant mariner’s document
issued to a licensed radio officer will be
endorsed as follows: See License as
Radio Officer. If a licensed radio officer
qualifies as a lifeboatman, the further
endorsement, Lifeboatman, will be
placed on the merchant mariner’s document. Qualifications for other ratings
for which a radio officer is eligible may
also be endorsed on the document.
(e)(1) A merchant mariner’s document issued to a staff officer will be
endorsed as follows: See Certificate of
Registry. The holder of a certificate of
registry as chief purser, purser, senior
assistant purser, or junior assistant
purser may also serve in any capacity
in the staff department not requiring a
certificate of registry without obtaining an additional endorsement on his
merchant mariner’s document.
(2) The authorized holder of any valid
merchant mariner’s document, however endorsed, may serve in any capacity in the staff department of a vessel,
except in those capacities requiring
registered staff officers: Provided, That
whenever such service includes the
handling of food no person may be so
employed unless his document bears
the
food
handler’s
endorsement
‘‘(F.H.).’’
(f) A merchant mariner’s document
endorsed as able seaman or as
lifeboatman shall be a certificate of efficiency as lifeboatman.
(g) Every merchant mariner’s document shall be a certificate of identification unless the holder also holds a
continuous discharge book. The holder
of a certificate of identification in the
form issued before November 1, 1945,
shall surrender that certificate before
he is issued a merchant mariner’s document.
(h) When a merchant mariner’s document is issued, renewed, or endorsed,
the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, will determine whether the holder
of the document is required to hold an
STCW endorsement for service on a
seagoing vessel, and then, if the holder
is qualified, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will issue the appropriate endorsement. The Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection will also

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Coast Guard, DOT

§ 12.02–14

issue an STCW endorsement at other
times, if circumstances so require and
if the holder of the document is qualified to hold the endorsement. The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will
issue an STCW endorsement for the following ratings:
(1) A rating forming part of a navigational watch on a seagoing ship of 500
GT or more if the holder of the document is qualified in accordance with
STCW Regulation II/4 and Section A–II/
4 of the STCW Code, to perform the
navigational function at the support
level.
(2) A rating forming part of a watch
in a manned engine-room, or designated to perform duties in a periodically unmanned engine-room, on a seagoing ship driven by main propulsion
machinery of 750 kW [1,000 hp] of propulsion power or more, if the holder is
qualified in accordance with STCW
Regulation III/4 and Section A–III/4 of
the STCW Code, to perform the marineengineering function at the support
level.
(i) At the request of the holder of the
document, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection may add an endorsement to indicate that a qualified holder has received basic safety-training or
instruction required under Chapter VI
of STCW.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34535, June 26,
1997]

§ 12.02–13 Citizenship requirements.
(a) Any person making application
for a continuous discharge book or a
certificate of identification or a merchant mariner’s document representing
a certificate of identification and
claiming to be a citizen of the United
States shall present acceptable evidence of such citizenship at the time of
making application. No original document shall be issued to any person
claiming to be a citizen of the United
States until such citizenship is established by acceptable evidence.
(b) Any person who has been issued a
continuous discharge book or certificate of identification or merchant
mariner’s document showing question
marks prior to the effective date of
this section may at any time produce
additional evidence of citizenship to a

shipping commissioner or Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection. If the additional evidence produced satisfies the
shipping commissioner or the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection, to whom it
is presented that the same is acceptable evidence of the citizenship of the
person, such official may draw lines
through the question marks and note
the citizenship of the person in the
space provided therefor, attesting the
change, or reissue the certificate or
document. Whenever such changes are
made the official making the change
shall immediately thereafter notify the
Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center.
(c) Acceptable evidence of citizenship
is set forth in § 10.205(c) of this subchapter.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended at 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29, 1995; USCG–
1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998; USCG–
2001–10224, 66 FR 48619, Sept. 21, 2001]

§ 12.02–14

Nationality of aliens.

(a) Any alien making application for
a continuous discharge book or certificate of identification or merchant
mariner’s document representing a certificate of identification shall present
acceptable evidence of nationality at
the time of making application. No
original document shall be issued to
any alien until nationality is established by acceptable evidence.
(b) Any document of an official character showing the country of which the
alien is a citizen or subject may be accepted as acceptable evidence of an
alien’s nationality. The following are
examples of such a document:
(1) Declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States
made by the alien after 1929.
(2) A travel document in the nature
of a passport issued by the government
of the country of which the alien is a
citizen or subject.
(3) A certificate issued by the consular representative of the country of
which the alien is a citizen or subject.
(c) Should any doubt arise as to
whether or not the document presented
may be considered as acceptable evidence of the alien’s nationality, the

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§ 12.02–15

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

matter shall be referred to the Commanding Officer, National Maritime
Center, for decision.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29,
1995; USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30,
1998]

§ 12.02–15 Oath requirement.
Applicants for a merchant mariner’s
document for any rating shall take an
oath before an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, or other official authorized to give such oath, or a commissioned officer of the Coast Guard
authorized to administer oaths under
10 U.S.C. 936 or 14 U.S.C. 636, that they
will faithfully and honestly perform all
the duties required of them by law and
carry out all lawful orders of superior
officers on shipboard. Such an oath remains binding for all subsequent merchant mariner’s documents issued to a
person until the document is surrendered to the Officer in Charge, Marine
Inspection.
[CGD 91–211, 59 FR 49300, Sept. 27, 1994]

§ 12.02–17 Rules for the preparation
and issuance of documents.
(a) Upon application of a person for a
merchant mariner’s document, any required examination will be given as
soon as practicable.
(b) Upon determining that the applicant satisfactorily meets all requirements for the document and any endorsements requested, the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection, shall issue
the appropriate document to the applicant. A merchant mariner’s document
is valid for a term of 5 years from the
date of issuance. Any document which
is renewed or reissued prior to its expiration date automatically becomes
void upon issuance of the replacement
document.
(c) When a seaman applies for a merchant mariner’s document, he must:
(1) Sign the document; and
(2) Impress his left thumbprint on the
document; or
(3) Impress his right thumbprint on
the document if his left thumb is missing.
(d) A seaman’s social security number is placed on his document and is his
official identification number for
record purposes.

(e) After July 31, 1998, an applicant
for a merchant mariner’s document
who will be serving on a seagoing vessel of 200 GRT or more shall provide a
document issued by a qualified medical
practitioner attesting the applicant’s
medical fitness to perform the functions for which the document is issued.
(f) An applicant for a certificate of
service or efficiency who has been duly
examined and refused a certificate by
an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
may come before the same Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection for reexamination at any time after the date of
the initial examination. The Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection sets the
time of reexamination based on the applicant’s performance on the initial examination. However, the maximum
waiting period after the initial failure
will be 30 days, and the maximum waiting period after a second or subsequent
failure will be 90 days.
(g) An applicant who has been examined and refused a certificate by an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection may
not make application for examination
to any other Officer in Charge, Marine
Inspection until 30 days after the applicant’s last failure of an examination or
reexamination. However, an applicant
may apply for examination by another
Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
before the expiration of the 30 day period if sanctioned by the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection who refused
the applicant.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 72–81R, 37 FR 10834, May 31,
1972; 44 FR 21021, Apr. 9, 1979; CGD 91–211, 59
FR 49300, Sept. 27, 1994; CGD 95–062, 62 FR
34535, June 26, 1997]

§ 12.02–18

Fees.

(a) Use table 12.02–18 to determine
the fees that you must pay for merchant mariner document activities in
this part.
(b) Unless otherwise specified in this
part, when two documents are processed on the same application—
(1) Evaluation fees. If a merchant mariner document transaction is processed
on the same application as a license or
certificate of registry transaction, only
the license or certificate of registry
evaluation fee will be charged;

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Coast Guard, DOT

§ 12.02–21

(2) Examination fees. If a license examination under part 10 also fulfills
the examination requirements in this
part for a merchant mariner document,
only the fee for the license examination is charged; and
(3) Issuance fees. A separate issuance
fee will be charged for each document
issued.
(c) You may pay—
(1) All fees required by this section
when you submit your application; or
(2) A fee for each phase at the following times:
(i) An evaluation fee when you submit your application.
(ii) An examination fee before you
take the first examination section.
(iii) An issuance fee before you receive your merchant mariner document.
(d) If you take your examination
someplace other than a Regional Examination Center (REC), you must pay
the examination fee to the REC at

least one week before your scheduled
examination date.
(e) Unless the REC provides additional payment options, your fees may
be paid as follows:
(1) Your fee payment must be for the
exact amount.
(2) Make your check or money order
payable to the U.S. Coast Guard, and
write your social security number on
the front of each check or money order.
(3) If you pay by mail, you must use
either a check or money order.
(4) If you pay in person, you may pay
with cash, check, or money order at
Coast Guard units where Regional Examination Centers are located.
(f) The Coast Guard may assess
charges for collecting delinquent payments or returned checks. The Coast
Guard will not provide documentation
services to a mariner who owes money
for documentation services previously
provided.

TABLE 12.02–18—FEES
And you need—
If you apply for—

Merchant Mariner Document:
Original:
Without endorsement ........................................................
With endorsement .............................................................
Endorsement for qualified rating ..............................................
Upgrade or Raise in Grade ......................................................
Renewal without endorsement for qualified rating ..................
Renewal with endorsement for qualified rating .......................
Renewal for continuity purposes ..............................................
Reissue, Replacement, and Duplicate .....................................
STCW Certification:
Original .....................................................................................
Renewal ...................................................................................
Other Transactions:
Duplicate Continuous Discharge Book ....................................
Duplicate record of sea service ...............................................
Copy of certificate of discharge ...............................................
1 Duplicate

Evaluation—Then
the fee is—

Examination—
Then the fee is—

Issuance—Then
the fee is—

$95 .......................
$95 .......................
$95 .......................
$95 .......................
$50 .......................
$50 .......................
n/a ........................
n/a ........................

n/a ........................
$140 .....................
$140 .....................
$140 .....................
n/a ........................
$45 .......................
n/a ........................
n/a ........................

$45.
$45.
$45.
$45.
$45.
$45.
$45.
$45.1

No fee ..................
No fee ..................

No fee ..................
No fee ..................

No fee.
No fee.

n/a ........................
n/a ........................
n/a ........................

n/a ........................
n/a ........................
n/a ........................

$10.
$10.
$10.

for document lost as result of marine casualty—No Fee.

[USCG–1997–2799, 64 FR 42815, Aug. 5, 1999; 64 FR 53231, Oct. 1, 1999]

§ 12.02–19 Suspension or revocation of
documents.

ocation of licenses of officers under the
provisions of 46 U.S.C. Chapter 77.

Any certificate of service or of efficiency or merchant mariner’s document representing such certificate(s) is
subject to suspension or revocation on
the same grounds and in the same manner and with like procedure as is provided in the case of suspension or rev-

[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 95–028, 62 FR 51196, Sept. 30,
1997]

§ 12.02–21 Issuance of documents after
revocation.
(a) An applicant who has had a certificate or other document revoked and

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§ 12.02–23

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

who is applying for certification in the
same or any other rating shall state in
his application the date of revocation
and number or type of the document
revoked.
(b) No applicant who has had a certificate or other document revoked will
be certificated in the same or any
other rating except upon approval of
the Commanding Officer, National
Maritime Center.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29,
1995; USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30,
1998]

§ 12.02–23 Issuance of duplicate documents.
(a) If a seaman loses his continuous
discharge book, merchant mariner’s
document or certificate of discharge by
shipwreck or other casualty, he shall
be supplied with a reissue of such documents free of charge. The phrase or
other casualty as used in this section is
interpreted to mean any damage to a
ship caused by collision, explosion, tornado, wreck or flooding of the ship,
such as a tidal wave or a grounding of
the ship on a sand bar, or a beaching of
the ship on a shore or by fire or other
causes in a category with these mentioned.
(b) If a seaman loses a continuous
discharge book, merchant mariner’s
document, or certificate of discharge
otherwise than by shipwreck or other
casualty and applies for a reissue, the
appropriate fee set out in table 12.02–18
in § 12.02–18 is required.
(c) A person entitled to a duplicate
merchant mariner’s document, duplicate continuous discharge book, copies
of certificates of discharge, or record of
sea service may obtain the documents
by applying at any Regional Examination Center listed in § 12.01–7 by:
(1) Completing the application form
provided by the Coast Guard; and
(2) Paying the fee set out in table
12.02–18 in § 12.02–18.
(d) Each person issued a document
described in § 12.02–5, shall report to an
Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection,
its loss.
(e) If a seaman’s document or service
record is missing, he may obtain a du-

plicate by following the procedures in
paragraph (c) of this section and by:
(1) Signing an affidavit before the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, or
his designated representative, that explains the loss of his document or service record; and
(2) Submitting at least two photographs for each duplicate document.
(f) No application from an alien for a
duplicate merchant mariner’s document shall be accepted unless the alien
complies with the requirements of
§ 12.02–10.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGFR 71–168, 36 FR 23297, Dec. 8,
1971; CGD 72–81R, 37 FR 10834, May 31, 1972;
CGD 91–002, 58 FR 15239, Mar. 19, 1993; USCG–
1997–2799, 64 FR 42816, Aug. 5, 1999]

§ 12.02–24 Reporting loss or recovery
of continuous discharge book, merchant mariners document, or certificate of discharge.
Whenever a continuous discharge
book, merchant mariners document, or
certificate of discharge is reported to
an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
(OCMI), as having been stolen, lost, or
destroyed, the OCMI shall immediately
report the fact by letter to the Commanding Officer, National Maritime
Center giving all the facts incident to
its loss or destruction. By the same
procedure the OCMI shall report the recovery of a continuous discharge book,
merchant mariners document or certificate of discharge with all the facts
incident to its recovery, and shall forward the recovered book, document, or
discharge to the Commanding Officer,
National Maritime Center.
[CGD 79–161, 44 FR 70155, Dec. 6, 1979, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29,
1995; USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30,
1998]

§ 12.02–25

Right of appeal.

Any person directly affected by a decision or action taken under this part,
by or on behalf of the Coast Guard,
may appeal therefrom in accordance
with subpart 1.03 of this chapter.
[CGD 88–033, 54 FR 50379, Dec. 6, 1989]

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§ 12.02–27

§ 12.02–27 Requirements for renewal of
a merchant mariner’s document.
(a) General. Except as provided in
paragraph (g) of this section, an applicant for renewal of a merchant mariner’s document shall establish possession of all of the necessary qualifications before a merchant mariner’s document is issued.
(1) Each application must be on a
Coast Guard furnished form and accompanied by the evaluation fee established in table 12.02–18 in § 12.02–18. An
approved application is valid for 12
months.
(2) The applicant may apply in person
at any Regional Examination Center
listed in § 12.01–7 or may renew the
merchant mariner’s document by mail
under paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
(3) The applicant shall submit the
original or a photocopy of the merchant mariner’s document to be renewed. A photocopy must include the
front and back of the merchant mariner’s document. If requested, the old
document will be returned to the applicant.
(4) The expiration date of a merchant
mariner’s document that was issued
without an expiration date is determined in accordance with § 12.02–29.
(5) Each applicant shall comply with
§ 12.02–09(b)(1) of this part.
(b) Fitness. No merchant mariner’s
document will be renewed if it has been
suspended without probation or revoked as a result of action under part
5 of this chapter, or facts which would
render a renewal improper have come
to the attention of the Coast Guard.
(c) Professional requirements. (1) In
order to renew a merchant mariner’s
document endorsed with a qualified
rating, the applicant shall comply with
one of the following:
(i) Present evidence of at least 1 year
of sea service during the past 5 years;
(ii) Pass a comprehensive, open-book
exercise covering the general subject
matter required by this part for the applicable endorsement or pass an openbook license exercise that covers the
same subject matter required for the
MMD endorsement;
(iii) Complete an approved refresher
training course; or,
(iv) Present evidence of employment
in a position closely related to the op-

eration, construction, or repair of vessels (either deck or engineer as appropriate for the endorsement) for at least
3 years during the past 5 years.
(2) There are no professional requirements for renewal of a merchant mariner’s document that is not endorsed
with any qualified ratings.
(d) Physical requirements. (1) An applicant for renewal of a merchant mariner’s document endorsed with a qualified rating other than lifeboatman,
shall submit a certification by a licensed physician or physician assistant
that he or she is in good health and has
no physical impairment or medical
condition which would render him or
her incompetent to perform the ordinary duties of that qualified rating(s).
This certification must address visual
acuity and hearing in addition to general physical condition, and must have
been completed within the previous 12
months.
(2) If the Officer in Charge, Marine
Inspection has reason to believe that
an applicant suffers from some physical impairment or medical condition
which would render the applicant incompetent to perform the duties of the
qualified
rating(s)
(other
than
lifeboatman), the applicant may be required to submit the results of an examination by a licensed physician or
physician assistant that meets the requirements for originally obtaining the
rating(s).
(3) An applicant who has lost sight in
one eye may renew a merchant mariner’s document with qualified ratings,
provided the applicant is qualified in
all other respects and that the visual
acuity in the remaining eye passes the
test required in § 10.205(d) of this chapter.
(e)
Special
circumstances—(1)
Reissuance after expiration, Period of
grace. Except as provided in this paragraph, a merchant mariner’s document
may not be renewed more than 12
months after it has expired. To obtain
a reissuance of a merchant mariner’s
document expired more than 12
months, an applicant shall comply
with the requirements of paragraph (f)
of this section. When an applicant’s
merchant mariner’s document expires
during a time of service with the

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46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

Armed Forces and there is no reasonable opportunity for renewal, including
by mail, this 12-month period of grace
may be extended. The period of military service following the date of merchant mariner’s document expiration
which precluded renewal may be added
to the 12 month period of grace. The 12
month period of grace, and any extension, do not affect the expiration date
of the document. A merchant mariner’s
document, and any endorsements that
it contains, are not valid for use after
the expiration date.
(2) Renewal in advance. A merchant
mariner’s document may not be renewed more that 12 months before expiration unless it is being renewed in
conjunction with a license or certificate of registry which is either due for
renewal or being upgraded, or unless
the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection is satisfied that special circumstances exist to justify renewal.
(3) Renewal by mail. (i) Applications
for renewal of merchant mariner’s documents by mail may be sent to any
Coast Guard Regional Examination
Center. The following documents must
be submitted:
(A) A properly completed application
on a Coast Guard furnished form, and
the evaluation fee required by table
12.02–18 in § 12.02–18.
(B) The document to be renewed, or,
if it has not expired, a photocopy of the
document, including the back.
(C) A certification from a licensed
physician or physician assistant in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.
(D) Evidence of, or acceptable substitute for, sea service in accordance
with paragraph (c) of this section.
(ii) The open-book exercise, if required, may be administered through
the mail.
(4) Concurrent renewal of merchant
mariner’s documents, and licenses, or certificates of registry. An applicant for
concurrent renewal of more than one
merchant mariner credential shall satisfy the individual renewal requirements and pay the applicable fees required by tables in §§ 12.02–18 and 10.109
of this chapter for each merchant mari-

ner’s document, license, or certificate
of registry being renewed.
(f) Reissuance of expired merchant
mariner’s documents. (1) Whenever an
applicant applies for reissuance of a
merchant mariner’s document endorsed
with qualified rating(s) more than 12
months after expiration, in lieu of the
requirements of paragraph (c) of this
section the applicant shall demonstrate continued professional knowledge for each qualified rating for which
reissuance is sought by completing a
course approved for this purpose or, by
passing the complete examination for
each rating, or by passing the examination for a related license required by
§ 10.209(f)(1) of this chapter. The fees
listed in tables in §§ 12.02–18 and 10.109
apply to these examinations.
(2) A merchant mariner’s document
without any qualified rating endorsements that has been expired more than
12 months shall be reissued in the same
manner as a current merchant mariner’s document. There are no additional requirements for reissuing merchant mariner’s documents without
qualified ratings that have been expired more than 12 months.
(g) Inactive document renewal. (1) Applicants for renewal of merchant mariner’s documents that are endorsed with
qualified ratings, who are unwilling or
otherwise unable to meet the requirements of paragraphs (c) or (d) of this
section may renew the merchant mariner’s document, with the following restrictive endorsement placed on the
document: ‘‘Continuity only; service
under document prohibited.’’ Holders
of merchant mariner’s documents with
this continuity endorsement may have
the prohibition rescinded at any time
by satisfying the renewal requirements
in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section
and § 12.02–9(f) of this part.
(2) Applications for renewal of a document with the continuity endorsement must include:
(i) The document to be renewed, or, if
it is unexpired, a photocopy of the document including the back and,
(ii) A signed statement from the applicant attesting to an awareness of

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§ 12.03–1

the restriction to be placed on the renewed document and of the requirements for rescinding the continuity endorsement.
[CGD 91–211, 59 FR 49301, Sept. 27, 1994, as
amended by CGD 91–223, 60 FR 4525, Jan. 23,
1995; USCG–1997–2799, 64 FR 42816, Aug. 5,
1999]

§ 12.02–29 Expiration of existing merchant mariner’s documents.
The expiration year of a merchant
mariner’s document issued without an
expiration date is calculated by adding
5-year increments to the issuance date
of the document, up to the first applicable year falling between 1995 and
1999, inclusive. The day and month of
expiration are the same as that of
issuance. Table 12.02–29 is provided as
an aid for calculating the expiration
date of a document issued without an
expiration date. A merchant mariner’s
document is not valid for use after the
expiration date calculated under this
section, but may be renewed in accordance with the requirements of § 12.02–
27.
TABLE 12.02–29.—EXPIRATION OF MERCHANT
MARINER’S DOCUMENTS ISSUED WITH NO EXPIRATION DATE 1
Expiration year
1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1991
1986
1981
1976
1971
1966
1961
1956
1951
1946
1941
.................

1990
1985
1980
1975
1970
1965
1960
1955
1950
1945
1940
.................

Issue Year
1994
1989
1984
1979
1974
1969
1964
1959
1954
1949
1944
1939

1993
1988
1983
1978
1973
1968
1963
1958
1953
1948
1943
1938

1992
1987
1982
1977
1972
1967
1962
1957
1952
1947
1942
1937

1 Find the year in which the merchant mariner’s document
was issued (Issue Year), then move up the column to find the
Expiration Year. Month and day of expiration correspond to
the month and day of issue.

[CGD 91–211, 59 FR 49302, Sept. 27, 1994]

Subpart 12.03—Approved and
Accepted Training
§ 12.03–1 Coast Guard-accepted training other than approved courses.
(a) When the training and assessment
of competence required by part 10 of
this chapter or by this part 12 are not
subject to approval under § 10.302 of
this chapter, but are used to qualify to
hold an STCW certificate or endorsement for service on or after February 1,
2002, the training and assessment must
meet the following requirements:
(1) The training and assessment must
have written, clearly defined objectives
that emphasize specific knowledge,
skills, and abilities, and that include
criteria to be used in establishing a
student’s successful achievement of the
training objectives.
(2) The training must be set out in a
written syllabus that conforms to a
Coast Guard-accepted outline for such
training and includes—
(i) The sequence of subjects to be covered;
(ii) The number of hours to be devoted to instruction in relevant areas
of knowledge;
(iii) The identity and professional
qualifications of the instructor(s) to be
conducting the training or providing
instruction;
(iv) The identity of other media or facilities to be used in conducting the
training; and
(v) Measurements at appropriate intervals of each candidate’s progress toward acquisition of the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities stated in the
training objectives.
(3) Except as provided in paragraph
(a)(4) of this section, documentary evidence must be readily available to establish that all instructors—
(i) Have experience, training, or instruction in effective instructional
techniques;
(ii) Are qualified in the task for
which the training is being conducted;
and

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§ 12.03–1

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

(iii) Hold the level of license, endorsement, or other professional credential required of those who would
apply, on board a vessel, the relevant
level of knowledge, skills, and abilities
described in the training objectives.
(4) Neither a specialist in a particular
field of non-maritime education, such
as mathematics or first aid, nor a person with at least 3 years of service as a
member of the Armed Forces of the
United States, specializing in a particular field, need hold a maritime license or document to conduct training
in that field.
(5) A simulator may be used in training if—
(i) The simulator meets applicable
performance standards;
(ii) The instructor has gained practical operational experience on the particular type of simulator being used;
and
(iii) The instructor has received appropriate guidance in instructional
techniques involving the use of simulators.
(6) Essential equipment and instructional materials must afford each student adequate opportunity to participate in exercises and acquire practice
in performing required skills.
(7) A process for routinely assessing
the effectiveness of the instructors, including the use of confidential evaluations by students, is in place.
(8) Documentary evidence is readily
available to establish that any evaluation of whether a student is competent
in accordance with standards, methods,
and criteria set out in part A of the
STCW Code is conducted by a designated examiner who has experience,
training, or instruction in assessment
techniques.
(9) Records of the student’s performance are maintained for at least 1 year
by the offeror of the training and assessment.
(10) To ensure that the training is
meeting its objectives, and the requirements of paragraphs (a) (1) through (9)
of this section, its offeror must either—
(i) Be regulated as a maritime academy or marine academy pursuant to 46
CFR part 310; or

(ii) Monitor it in accordance with a
Coast Guard-accepted QSS, which must
include the following features:
(A) The training must be provisionally certified, on the basis of an initial
independent
evaluation
conducted
under a Coast Guard-accepted QSS, as
being capable of meeting its stated objective.
(B) The training must be periodically
monitored in accordance with the
schedule stipulated under the Coast
Guard-accepted quality-standards system.
(C) Each person conducting the initial evaluation or the subsequent periodic monitoring of the training shall be
knowledgeable about the subjects
being evaluated or monitored and
about the national and international
requirements that apply to the training, and shall not himself or herself be
involved in the training and assessment of students.
(D) Each person evaluating or monitoring the training shall enjoy convenient access to all appropriate documents and facilities, and opportunities
both to observe all appropriate activities and to conduct confidential interviews when necessary.
(E) Arrangements must be such as to
ensure that no person evaluating or
monitoring the training is penalized or
rewarded, directly or indirectly, by the
sponsor of the training for making any
particular observations or for reaching
any particular conclusions.
(11) Each person conducting the initial
evaluation
under
paragraph
(a)(10)(ii)(A) of this section or the periodic monitoring of the training under
paragraph (a)(10)(ii)(B) of this section
shall communicate his or her conclusions to the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, NMC–4B, 4200
Wilson Boulevard, suite 510, Arlington,
VA 22203–1804, within 1 month of the
completion or the evaluation of the
monitoring.
(12) Each offeror of the training shall
let the Coast Guard or someone authorized by the Coast Guard observe the
records of a student’s performance and
records otherwise relating to paragraphs (a) (1) through (10) of this section.
(b) The Coast Guard will maintain a
list of training each of whose offerors

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§ 12.05–3

submits a certificate, initially not less
than 45 calendar days before offering
training under this section, and annually thereafter, signed by the offeror or
its authorized representative, stating
that the training fully complies with
requirements of this section, and identifying the Coast Guard-accepted QSS
being used for independent monitoring.
Training on this list will offer the
training necessary for licenses and
STCW endorsements under this part.
The Coast Guard will update this list
periodically and make it available to
members of the public on request.
(c) If the Coast Guard determines, on
the basis of observations or conclusions
either of its own or of someone authorized by it to monitor the training, that
particular training does not satisfy one
or more of the conditions described in
paragraph (a) of this section—
(1) The Coast Guard will so notify the
offeror of the training by letter, enclosing a report of the observations and
conclusions;
(2) The offeror may, within a period
specified in the notice, either appeal
the observations or conclusions to the
Commandant (G–MS) or bring the
training into compliance; and
(3) If the appeal is denied—or the deficiency is not corrected in the allotted
time, or within any additional period
judged by the Coast Guard to be appropriate, considering progress towards
compliance—the Coast Guard will remove the training from the list maintained under paragraph (b) of this section until it can verify full compliance;
and it may deny applications for licenses for STCW endorsement based in
whole or in part on training not on the
list, until additional training or assessment is documented.
[CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34536, June 26, 1997, as
amended by USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189,
Sept. 30, 1998]

Subpart 12.05—Able Seamen
§ 12.05–1

Certification required.

(a) Every person employed in a rating
as able seaman on any United States
vessel requiring certificated able seamen, before signing articles of agreement, shall present to the master, his
or her certificate as able seaman

(issued in the form of a merchant mariner’s document).
(b) No certificate as able seaman is
required of any person employed on
any tug or towboat on the bays and
sounds connected directly with the
seas, or on any unrigged vessel except
seagoing barges or tank barges.
(c) The following categories of able
seaman are established:
(1) Able Seaman—Any Waters, Unlimited.
(2) Able Seaman—Limited.
(3) Able Seaman—Special.
(4) Able Seaman—Special (OSV).
[CGD 80–131, 45 FR 69240, Oct. 20, 1980]

§ 12.05–3

General requirements.

(a) To qualify for certification as
able seaman an applicant must:
(1) Be at least 18 years of age;
(2) Pass the prescribed physical examination;
(3) Meet the sea service or training
requirements set forth in this part;
(4) Pass an examination demonstrating ability as an able seaman
and lifeboatman; and,
(5) Speak and understand the English
language as would be required in performing the general duties of able seaman and during an emergency aboard
ship.
(b) An STCW endorsement valid for
any period on or after February 1, 2002,
will be issued or renewed only when the
candidate for certification as an able
seaman also produces satisfactory evidence, on the basis of assessment of a
practical demonstration of skills and
abilities, of having achieved or maintained within the previous 5 years the
minimum standards of competence for
the following 4 areas of basic safety:
(1) Personal survival techniques as
set out in table A–VI/1–1 of the STCW
Code.
(2) Fire prevention and fire-fighting
as set out in table A–VI/1–2 of the
STCW Code.
(3) Elementary first aid as set out in
table A–VI/1–3 of the STCW Code.
(4) Personal safety and social responsibilities as set out in table A–VI/1–4 of
the STCW Code.
(c) An STCW endorsement valid for
any period on or after February 1, 2002,
will be issued or renewed only when the

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§ 12.05–5

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

candidate for certification as able seamen meets the requirements of STCW
Regulation II/4 and of Section A–II/4 of
the STCW Code, if the candidate will
be serving as a rating forming part of
the navigational watch on a seagoing
ship of 500 GT or more.
[CGD 80–131, 45 FR 69240, Oct. 20, 1980, as
amended by CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26,
1997; CGD 95–062, 62 FR 40140, July 25, 1997]

§ 12.05–5

Physical requirements.

(a) All applicants for a certificate of
service as able seaman shall be required to pass a physical examination
given by a medical officer of the United
States Public Health Service and
present to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, a certificate executed
by the Public Health Service Officer.
Such certificate shall attest to the applicant’s acuity of vision, color sense,
hearing, and general physical condition. In exceptional cases where an applicant would be put to great inconvenience or expense to appear before a
medical officer of the United States
Public Health Service, the physical examination and certification may be
made by any other reputable physician.
(b) The medical examination for an
able seaman is the same as for an original license as a deck officer as set forth
in § 10.205 of this subchapter. If the applicant is in possession of an unexpired
deck license, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, may waive the requirement for a physical examination.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189,
Sept. 30, 1998]

§ 12.05–7 Service or training requirements.
(a) The minimum service required to
qualify an applicant for the various
categories of able seaman is as listed in
this paragraph.
(1) Able Seaman—Any Waters, Unlimited. Three years service on deck on
vessels operating on the oceans or the
Great Lakes.
(2) Able Seaman—Limited. Eighteen
months service on deck in vessels of 100
gross tons or over which operate in a
service not exclusively confined to the
rivers and smaller inland lakes of the
United States.

(3) Able Seaman—Special. Twelve
months service on deck on vessels operating on the oceans, or the navigable
waters of the United States including
the Great Lakes.
(4) Able Seaman—Special (OSV). Six
months service on deck on vessels operating on the oceans, or the navigable
waters of the United States including
the Great Lakes.
(5) After July 31, 1998, to receive an
STCW endorsement for service as a
‘‘rating forming part of a navigational
watch’’ on a seagoing ship of 500 GT or
more, the applicant’s seagoing service
must include training and experience
associated
with
navigational
watchkeeping and involve the performance of duties carried out under the direct supervision of the master, the officer in charge of the navigational
watch, or a qualified rating forming
part of a navigational watch. The
training and experience must be sufficient to establish that the candidate
has achieved the standard of competence prescribed in table A–II/4 of the
STCW Code, in accordance with the
methods of demonstrating competence
and the criteria for evaluating competence specified in that table.
NOTE: Employment considerations for the
various categories of able seaman are contained in § 157.20–15 of this chapter.

(b) Training programs approved by
the Commanding Officer, National
Maritime Center, may be substituted
for the required periods of service on
deck as follows:
(1) A graduate of a school ship may
be rated as able seaman upon satisfactory completion of the course of instruction. For this purpose, school ship
is interpreted to mean an institution
which offers a complete course of instruction, including a period of at sea
training, in the skills appropriate to
the rating of able seaman.
(2) Training programs, other than
those classified as a school ship, may
be substituted for up to one third of
the required service on deck. The service/training ratio for each program is
determined by the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, who
may allow a maximum of three days on
deck service credit for each day of instruction.

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§ 12.05–9

(c) A certificate of service as Able
Seaman, Great Lakes—18 months’ service,
is considered equivalent to a certificate of service as Able Seaman—Limited.
(d) A certificate of service as Able
Seaman with the following route, vessel, or time restrictions is considered
equivalent to a certificate of service as
Able Seaman—Special:
(1) Any waters—12 months.
(2) Tugs and towboats—any waters.
(3) Bays and sounds—12 months, vessels
500 gross tons or under not carrying passengers.
(4) Seagoing barges—12 months.
(e) An individual holding a certificate of service endorsed as noted in
paragraphs (c) or (d) of this section
may have his or her merchant mariner’s document endorsed with the
equivalent category, upon request.
[CGD 80–131, 45 FR 69240, Oct. 20, 1980, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29,
1995; CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26, 1997;
CGD 95–062, 62 FR 40140, July 25, 1997; USCG–
1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998]

§ 12.05–9 Examination and demonstration of ability.
(a) Before an applicant is certified as
an able seaman, he or she shall prove
to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard
by oral or other means of examination,
and by actual demonstration, his or
her knowledge of seamanship and the
ability to carry out effectively all the
duties that may be required of an able
seaman,
including
those
of
a
lifeboatman. The applicant shall demonstrate that he or she:
(1) Has been trained in all the operations connected with the launching of
lifeboats and liferafts, and in the use of
oars;
(2) Is acquainted with the practical
handling of boats; and
(3) Is capable of taking command of
the boat’s crew.
(b) The examination, whether administered orally or by other means, must
be conducted only in the English language and must consist of questions regarding:
(1) Lifeboats and liferafts, the names
of their essential parts, and a description of the required equipment;
(2) The clearing away, swinging out,
and lowering of lifeboats and liferafts,
and handling of lifeboats under oars

and sails, including questions relative
to the proper handling of a boat in a
heavy sea;
(3) The operation and functions of
commonly used types of davits;
(4) The applicant’s knowledge of nautical terms; boxing the compass, either
by degrees or points according to his
experience; running lights, passing signals, and fog signals for vessels on the
high seas, in inland waters, or on the
Great Lakes depending upon the waters
on which the applicant has had service;
and distress signals; and,
(5) The applicant’s knowledge of commands in handling the wheel by obeying orders passed to him as wheelsman,
and
knowledge
of
the
use
of
engineroom telegraph or bell-pull signals.
(c) In the actual demonstration, the
applicant shall show his ability by taking command of a boat and directing
the operation of clearing away, swinging out, lowering the boat into the
water, and acting as coxswain in
charge of the boat under oars. He shall
demonstrate his ability to row by actually pulling an oar in the boat. He shall
also demonstrate knowledge of the
principal knots, bends, splices, and
hitches in common use by actually
making them.
(c–1) The applicant must demonstrate
to the satisfaction of the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection, his knowledge of pollution laws and regulations,
procedures for discharge containment
and cleanup, and methods for disposal
of sludge and waste material from
cargo and fueling operations.
(d) Any person who is in valid possession of a certificate as able seaman endorsed, any waters—12 months and who
can produce documentary evidence of
sufficient service to qualify for a certificate as able seaman endorsed, any
waters—unlimited, may be issued a new
document bearing this endorsement
without additional professional examination. The applicant shall surrender
for cancellation the document bearing
the limited endorsement. No physical
examination will be required at the
time of this exchange unless it is found
that the applicant obviously suffers
from some physical or mental infirmity to a degree that in the opinion of

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§ 12.05–11

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, would render him incompetent to
perform the usual duties of an able seaman at sea. If such condition is believed to exist, the applicant shall be
required to undergo an examination by
a medical officer of the Public Health
Service to determine his competency.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 71–161R, 37 FR 28263, Dec.
21, 1972; CGD 94–029, 61 FR 47064, Sept. 6, 1996;
USCG–2002–13058, 67 FR 61278, Sept. 30, 2002]

§ 12.05–11 General provisions respecting merchant mariner’s document
endorsed for service as able seamen.
(a) The holder of a merchant mariner’s document endorsed for the rating
of able seamen may serve in any unlicensed rating in the deck department
without obtaining an additional endorsement; provided, however, that the
holder shall hold the appropriate STCW
endorsement when serving in as a
‘‘rating forming part of a navigational
watch’’ on a seagoing ship of 500 GT or
more.
(b) A merchant mariner’s document
endorsed as able seaman will also be
considered a certificate of efficiency as
lifeboatman without further endorsement.
(c) This type of document will describe clearly the type of able seaman
certificate which it represents, e.g.:
able seaman—any waters; able seaman—any waters, 12 months; able seaman—Great Lakes, 18 months; able
seaman—on freight vessels, 500 gross
tons or less on bays or sounds, and on
tugs, towboats, and barges on any waters.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26,
1997]

Subpart 12.07 [Reserved]
Subpart 12.10—Lifeboatman
§ 12.10–1 Certification required.
Every person employed in a rating as
lifeboatman on any United States vessel requiring certificated lifeboatmen
shall
produce
a
certificate
as
lifeboatman or merchant mariner’s
document endorsed as lifeboatman or
able seaman to the shipping commis-

sioner, United States collector or deputy collector of customs, or master before signing articles of agreement. No
certificate of efficiency as lifeboatman
is required of any person employed on
any unrigged vessel, except on a seagoing barge and on a tank barge navigating waters other than rivers and/or
canals.
§ 12.10–3

General requirements.

(a) An applicant to be eligible for certification as lifeboatman must meet
one of the following requirements:
(1) At least 1 year’s sea service in the
deck department, or at least 2 years’
sea service in the other departments of
ocean, coastwise, Great Lakes, and
other lakes, bays, or sounds vessels.
(2) Graduation from a schoolship approved by and conducted under rules
prescribed by the Commanding Officer,
National Maritime Center.
(3) Satisfactory completion of basic
training by a Cadet of the United
States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps.
(4) Satisfactory completion of 3
years’ training at the U.S. Naval Academy or the U.S. Coast Guard Academy
including two training cruises.
(5) Satisfactory completion of a
course of training approved by the
Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, and served aboard a training vessel.
(6) Successful completion of a training course, approved by the Commanding Officer, National Maritime
Center, such course to include a minimum of 30 hours’ actual lifeboat training; provided, however, that the applicant produces satisfactory evidence of
having served a minimum of 6 months
at sea board ocean or coastwise vessels.
(b) An applicant, to be eligible for
certification as lifeboatman, shall be
able to speak and understand the
English language as would be required
in the rating of lifeboatman and in an
emergency aboard ship.
(c) An applicant shall be 18 years old
to be certified as proficient in survival
craft under STCW Regulation VI/2.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29,
1995; CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26, 1997;
USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998]

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Coast Guard, DOT

§ 12.13–1

§ 12.10–5 Examination and demonstration of ability.
(a) Before an applicant is certified as
a lifeboatman, he or she shall prove to
the satisfaction of the Coast Guard by
oral or other means of examination,
and by actual demonstration, his or
her knowledge of seamanship and the
ability to carry out effectively all the
duties that may be required of a
lifeboatman. The applicant shall demonstrate that he or she:
(1) Has been trained in all the operations connected with the launching of
lifeboats and liferafts, and in the use of
oars;
(2) Is acquainted with the practical
handling of boats; and
(3) Is capable of taking command of
the boat’s crew.
(b) The examination, whether administered orally or by other means, must
be conducted only in the English language and must consist of questions regarding:
(1) Lifeboats and liferafts, the names
of their essential parts, and a description of the required equipment;
(2) The clearing away, swinging out,
and lowering of lifeboats and liferafts,
the handling of lifeboats under oars
and sails, including questions relative
to the proper handling of a boat in a
heavy sea; and,
(3) The operation and functions of
commonly used types of davits.
(c) The practical examination shall
consist of a demonstration of the applicant’s ability to carry out the orders
incident to launching lifeboats, and the
use of the boat’s sail, and to row.
(d) After July 31, 1998, each applicant
for a lifeboatman’s certificate endorsed
for proficiency in survival craft and
rescue boats shall be not less than 18
years old and shall produce satisfactory evidence that he or she meets the
requirements of STCW Regulation VI/2,
paragraph 1, and the appropriate provisions of Section A–VI/2 of the STCW
Code.
[CGFR 60–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 71–161R, 37 FR 28263, Dec.
21, 1972; CGD 94–029, 61 FR 47064, Sept. 6, 1996;
CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26, 1997]

§ 12.10–7 General provisions respecting merchant mariner’s document
endorsed as lifeboatman.
A merchant mariner’s document endorsed as able seaman is the equivalent
of a certificate as lifeboatman or of an
endorsement as lifeboatman and will
be accepted as either of these wherever
either is required by law; provided,
however, that, when the holder documented as an able seaman has to be
certificated as either proficient in survival craft and rescue boats or proficient in fast rescue boats, he or she
shall hold an STCW endorsement.
[CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26, 1997; CGD
95–062, 62 FR 40140, July 25, 1997]

§ 12.10–9 Certificates of proficiency in
fast rescue boats.
(a) After July 31, 1998, each person
engaged or employed as a lifeboatman
proficient in fast rescue boats shall
hold either a certificate of proficiency
in these boats or a merchant mariner’s
document endorsed for proficiency in
them.
(b) To be eligible for either a certificate of proficiency in fast rescue boats
or a merchant mariner’s document endorsed for proficiency in them, an applicant shall—
(1) Be qualified as a lifeboatman with
proficiency in survival craft and fast
rescue boats under this subpart; and
(2) Furnish satisfactory proof that he
or she has met the requirements for
training and competence of STCW Regulation, VI/2, paragraph 2, and the appropriate requirements of Section A–
VI/2 of the STCW Code.
[CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26, 1997]

Subpart
12.13—Persons
Designated To Provide Medical
Care on Board Ship
SOURCE: CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26,
1997, unless otherwise noted.

§ 12.13–1 Documentary
quired.

evidence

After July 31, 1998, each person designated to provide medical first aid on
board ship, or to take charge of medical care on board ship, shall hold documentary evidence attesting that the

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§ 12.13–3

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

person has attended a course of training in medical first aid or medical care,
as appropriate.
§ 12.13–3 Basis
dence.

of

documentary

evi-

The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will issue such documentary evidence to the person, or endorse his or
her license or document, on being satisfied that the training required under
section 12.13–1 of this section establishes that he or she meets the standards of competence set out in STCW
Regulation VI/4 and Section A–VI/4 of
the STCW Code.

Subpart 12.15—Qualified Member
of the Engine Department
§ 12.15–1

Certification required.

(a) Every person employed in a rating
as qualified member of the engine department on any United States vessel
requiring certificated qualified members of the engine department shall
produce a certificate as qualified member of the engine department to the
shipping commissioner, United States
Collector or Deputy Collector of Customs, or master before signing articles
of agreement.
(b) No certificate as qualified member of the engine department is required of any person employed on any
unrigged
vessel,
except
seagoing
barges.
§ 12.15–3

General requirements.

(a) A qualified member of the engine
department is any person below the
rating of licensed officer and above the
rating of coal passer or wiper, who
holds a certificate of service as such
qualified member of the engine department issued by the Coast Guard or
predecessor authority.
(b) For purposes of administering
this part the rating of assistant electrician is considered a rating not above
that of coal passer or wiper, but equal
thereto.
(c) An applicant, to be eligible for
certification as qualified member of
the engine department, shall be able to
speak and understand the English language as would be required in the rating of qualified member of the engine

department and in an emergency
aboard ship.
(d) After July 31, 1998, an STCW endorsement valid for any period on or
after February 1, 2002, will be issued or
renewed only when the candidate for
certification as a qualified member of
the engine department also produces
satisfactory evidence, on the basis of
assessment of a practical demonstration of skills and abilities, of having
achieved or maintained within the previous 5 years the minimum standards
of competence for the following 4 areas
of basic safety:
(1) Personal survival techniques as
set out in table A–VI/1–1 of the STCW
Code.
(2) Fire prevention and fire-fighting
as set out in table A–VI/1–2 of the
STCW Code.
(3) Elementary first aid as set out in
table A–VI/1–3 of the STCW Code.
(4) Personal safety and social responsibilities as set out in table A–VI/1–4 of
the STCW Code.
(e) After July 31, 1998 an STCW endorsement that is valid for any period
on or after February 1, 2002, will be
issued or renewed only when the candidate for certification as a qualified
member of the engine department
meets the standards of competence set
out in STCW Regulation III/4 and Section A–III/4 of the STCW Code, if the
candidate will be serving as a rating
forming part of a watch in a manned
engine-room, or designated to perform
duties in a periodically unmanned engine-room, on a seagoing ship driven by
main propulsion machinery of 750 kW
[1,000 hp] propulsion power or more.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34538, June 26,
1997; USCG–2000–7790, 65 FR 58458, Sept. 29,
2000]

§ 12.15–5

Physical requirements.

(a) An applicant for a certificate of
service as a qualified member of the
engine department shall present a certificate of a medical officer of the
United States Public Health Service, or
other reputable physician attesting
that his eyesight, hearing, and physical
condition are such that he can perform
the duties required of a qualified member of the engine department.

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Coast Guard, DOT

§ 12.15–9

(b) The medical examination for
qualified member of the engine department is the same as for an original license as engineer, as set forth in
§ 10.205 of this subchapter. If the applicant is in possession of an unexpired license, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, may waive the requirement
for a physical examination.
(c) An applicant holding a certificate
of service for a particular rating as
qualified member of the engine department and desiring certification for another rating covered by this same form
of certificate may qualify therefor
without a physical examination unless
the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, finds that the applicant obviously
suffers from some physical or mental
infirmity to a degree that would render
him incompetent to perform the ordinary duties of a qualified member of
the engine department. In this event
the applicant shall be required to undergo an examination to determine his
competency.

the skills appropriate to the rating of
qualified member of the engine department.
(2) Training programs other than
those classified as a school ship may be
substituted for up to one-half of the required service at sea.
(c) To qualify to receive an STCW endorsement for service as a ‘‘rating
forming part of a watch in a manned
engine-room or designated to perform
duties in a periodically unmanned engine-room’’ on a seagoing vessel driven
by main propulsion machinery 750 kW
[1,000 hp] propulsion power or more, an
applicant shall prove seagoing service
that includes training and experience
associated
with
engine-room
watchkeeping and involves the performance of duties carried out under
the direct supervision of a qualified engineer officer or a member of a qualified rating. The training must establish that the applicant has achieved
the standard of competence prescribed
in table A–III/4 of the STCW Code, in
accordance with the methods of demonstrating competence and the criteria
for evaluating competence specified in
that table.

[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189,
Sept. 30, 1998]

§ 12.15–7 Service or training requirements.
(a) An applicant for a certificate of
service as qualified member of the engine department shall furnish the
Coast Guard proof of qualification
based on six months’ service in a rating
at least equal to that of wiper or coal
passer.
(b) Training programs approved by
the Commanding Officer, National
Maritime Center, may be substituted
for the required service at sea in accordance with the following:
(1) A graduate of a school ship may
be rated as qualified member of the engine department upon satisfactory
completion of the course of instruction. For this purpose, school ship is interpreted to mean an institution which
offers a complete course of instruction,
including a period of sea training, in

[CGD 80–131, 45 FR 69241, Oct. 20, 1980, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29,
1995; CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34538, June 26, 1997;
CGD 95–062, 62 FR 40140, July 25, 1997; USCG–
1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998]

§ 12.15–9

Examination requirements.

(a) Each applicant for certification as
a qualified member of the engine department in the rating of oiler,
watertender, fireman, deck engineer,
refrigeration engineer, junior engineer,
electrician, or machinist shall be examined orally or by other means and
only in the English language on the
subjects listed in paragraph (b) of this
section. The applicant’s general knowledge of the subjects must be sufficient
to satisfy the examiner that he is
qualified to perform the duties of the
rating for which he makes application.
(b) List of subjects required:

Subjects

1. Application, maintenance, and use of hand tools and measuring instruments ........................................................................
2. Uses of babbitt, copper, brass, steel, and other metals ............

Machinist

Refrigerating
engineer

Fireman/
Watertender

X
X

X
X

X
X

Oiler

X
X

Electrician

Junior
engineer

Deck
engineer

X
X

X
X

X
X

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§ 12.15–9

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)
Subjects

3. Methods of measuring pipe, pipe fittings, sheet metal, machine bolts and nuts, packing, etc ..............................................
4. Operation and maintenance of mechanical remote control
equipment ...................................................................................
5. Precautions to be taken for the prevention of fire and the
proper use of firefighting equipment ...........................................
6. Principles of mechanical refrigeration; and functions, operation, and maintenance of various machines and parts of the
systems .......................................................................................
7. Knowledge of piping systems as used in ammonia, freon, and
CO2, including testing for leaks, operation of bypasses, and
making up of joints .....................................................................
8. Safety precautions to be observed in the operation of various
refrigerating systems, including storage of refrigerants, and the
use of gas masks and firefighting equipment ............................
9. Combustion of fuels, proper temperature, pressures, and
atomization ..................................................................................
10. Operation of the fuel oil system on oil burning boilers, including the transfer and storage of fuel oil .......................................
11. Hazards involved and the precautions taken against accumulation of oil in furnaces, bilges, floorplates, and tank tops;
flarebacks, leaks in fuel oil heaters, clogged strainers and
burner tips ...................................................................................
12. Precautions necessary when filling empty boilers, starting up
the fuel oil burning system, and raising steam from a cold boiler .................................................................................................
13. The function, operation, and maintenance of the various
engineroom auxiliaries ................................................................
14. Proper operation of the various types of lubricating systems
15. Safety precautions to be observed in connection with the operation of engineroom auxiliaries, electrical machinery, and
switchboard equipment ...............................................................
16. The function, operation, and maintenance of the bilge, ballast, fire, freshwater, sanitary, and lubricating systems .............
17. Proper care of spare machine parts and idle equipment ........
18. The procedure in preparing a turbine, reciprocating, or Diesel
engine for standby; also the procedure in securing ...................
19. Operation and maintenance of the equipment necessary for
the supply of water to boilers, the dangers of high and low
water and remedial action ..........................................................
20. Operation, location, and maintenance of the various boiler fittings and accessories .................................................................
21. The practical application and solution of basic electrical calculations (Ohm’s law, power formula, etc.) ................................
22. Electrical wiring circuits of the various two-wire and threewire D.C. systems and the various single-phase and polyphase A.C. systems ....................................................................
23. Application and characteristics of parallel and series circuits
24. Application and maintenance of electrical meters and instruments ..........................................................................................
25. The maintenance and installation of lighting and power wiring
involving testing for, locating and correcting grounds, short circuits and open circuits, and making splices ...............................
26. The operation and maintenance of the various types of generators and motors, both A.C. and D.C .....................................
27. Operation, installation, and maintenance of the various types
of electrical controls and safety devices ....................................
28. Testing and maintenance of special electrical equipment,
such as telegraphs, telephones, alarm systems, fire-detecting
systems, and rudder angle indicators ........................................
29. Rules and Regulations and requirements for installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical wiring and equipment installed aboard ships ....................................................................
29a. Pollution laws and regulations, procedures for discharge
containment and cleanup, and methods for disposal of sludge
and waste from cargo and fueling operations ............................
30. Such further examination of a nonmathematical character as
the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, may consider necessary to establish the applicant’s proficiency ...........................

Machinist

Refrigerating
engineer

Fireman/
Watertender

X

X

X

X

...........

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

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

X

...........

X

..........

X

..........

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

X

...........

..........

..........

X

..........

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

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

...........

X

X

..........

X

..........

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

...........

X

X

..........

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

..........

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

...........

X

X

..........

X

..........

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

..........
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

..........
X

X
X

X
X

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

...........

X

X

..........

X

..........

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

...........

X

X

..........

X

..........

Oiler

X

Electrician

Junior
engineer

Deck
engineer

X

X

X

X

...........

X

X

..........

X

..........

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

...........

...........

..........

X

X

X

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

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

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

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

X
X

X
X

X
X

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

...........

...........

..........

X

X

X

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

...........

...........

..........

X

X

X

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

...........

...........

..........

X

X

X

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

...........

...........

..........

X

X

X

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

...........

...........

..........

X

X

..........

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

...........

...........

..........

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

..........

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

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Coast Guard, DOT

§ 12.15–15

(c) Each applicant for certification as
a qualified member of the engine department in the rating of pumpman
shall, by oral or other examination,
demonstrate sufficient knowledge of
the subjects peculiar to that rating to
satisfy the Officer in Charge, Marine
Inspection, that he or she is qualified
to perform the duties of that rating.
(d) Applicants for certification as
qualified members of the engine department in the rating of deck engine
mechanic or engineman, who have
proved eligibility for such endorsement
under either § 12.15–13 or § 12.15–15, will
not be required to take a written or
oral examination for such ratings.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGFR 66–46, 31 FR 13649, Oct. 22,
1966; CGD 71–161R, 37 FR 28263, Dec. 21, 1972;
CGD 74–75, 42 FR 24741, May 16, 1977; CGD 94–
029, 61 FR 47064, Sept. 6, 1996]

§ 12.15–11 General provisions respecting merchant mariner’s documents
endorsed as qualified member of
the engine department.
The holder of a merchant mariner’s
document endorsed with one or more
qualified member of the engine department ratings may serve in any unqualified rating in the engine department
without obtaining an additional endorsement. This does not mean that an
endorsement of one qualified member
of the engine department rating authorizes the holder to serve in all
qualified member of the engine department ratings. Each qualified member
of the engine department rating for
which a holder of a merchant mariner’s
document is qualified must be endorsed
separately. When, however, the applicant qualifies for all ratings covered by
a certificate as a qualified member of
the engine department, the certification may read QMED—any rating.
The ratings are as follows:
(a) Refrigerating engineer.
(b) Oiler.
(c) Deck engineer.
(d) Fireman/Watertender.
(e) Junior engineer.
(f) Electrician.
(g) Machinist.
(h) Pumpman.
(i) Deck engine mechanic.

(j) Engineman.
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by CGFR 66–46, 31 FR 13649, Oct. 22,
1966; CGD 74–45, 42 FR 24741, May 16, 1977]

§ 12.15–13 Deck engine mechanic.
(a) An applicant for a certificate as
deck engine mechanic shall be a person
holding a merchant mariner’s document endorsed as junior engineer. The
applicant shall be eligible for such certification upon furnishing one of the
following:
(1) Satisfactory documentary evidence of sea service of 6 months in the
rating of junior engineer on steam vessels of 4,000 horsepower or over; or,
(2) Documentary evidence from an
operator of an automated vessel that
he has completed satisfactorily at least
4 weeks indoctrination and training in
the engine department of an automated
steam vessel of 4,000 horsepower or
over; or,
(3) Satisfactory completion of a
course of training for deck engine mechanic acceptable to the Commanding
Officer, National Maritime Center.
(b) The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, who is satisfied that an applicant for the rating of deck engine mechanic meets the requirements specified in this section, will endorse this
rating on the current merchant mariner’s document held by the applicant.
(c) Any holder of a merchant mariner’s document endorsed for any unlicensed rating in the engine department or
QMED—any rating is qualified as a deck
engine mechanic and that endorsement
will not be entered on his document.
[CGFR 66–46, 31 FR 13649, Oct. 22, 1966, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29,
1995; CGD 95–028, 62 FR 51196, Sept. 30, 1997;
USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998]

§ 12.15–15 Engineman.
(a) An applicant for a certificate as
engineman shall be a person holding a
merchant mariner’s document endorsed
as fireman/watertender and oiler, or junior engineer. The applicant shall be eligible for such certification upon furnishing one of the following:
(1) Satisfactory documentary evidence of sea service of 6 months in any
one or combination of junior engineer,
fireman/watertender or oiler on steam
vessels of 4,000 horsepower or over; or,

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§ 12.25–1

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

(2) Documentary evidence from an
operator of a partially automated steam
vessel that he has completed satisfactorily at least 2 weeks indoctrination
and training in the engine department
of a partially automated steam vessel of
4,000 horsepower or over; or
(3) Satisfactory completion of a
course of training for engineman acceptable to the Commanding Officer,
National Maritime Center.
(b) The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, who is satisfied that an applicant for the rating of engineman meets
the requirements specified in this section, will endorse this rating on the
current merchant mariner’s document
held by the applicant.
(c) Any holder of a merchant mariner’s document endorsed for any unlicensed rating in the engine department,
QMED—any rating or deck engine mechanic is qualified as an engineman and
that endorsement will not be entered
on his document.
[CGFR 66–46, 31 FR 13650, Oct. 22, 1966, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29,
1995; CGD 95–028, 62 FR 51196, Sept. 30, 1997;
USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998]

Subpart
12.25—Certificates
of
Service for Ratings Other Than
Able Seaman or Qualified
Member of the Engine Department
§ 12.25–1 Certification required.
Every person employed in a rating
other than able seaman or qualified
member of the engine department of
U.S. merchant vessels requiring such
certificated persons shall produce a
merchant mariner’s document to the
master, or person in charge if appropriate, before signing a shipping articles agreement.
[CGD 95–028, 62 FR 51196, Sept. 30, 1997]

§ 12.25–10 General requirements.
(a) Merchant mariner’s documents
shall be issued without professional examination to applicants for certificates
of service as endorsements on merchant mariner’s documents in capacities
other
than
able
seaman,
lifeboatman, tankerman or qualified
member of the engine department and
shall be endorsed for one or more rat-

ings. For example, ordinary seaman—
wiper—steward’s
department
(F.H.).
Holders of documents endorsed for
service as ordinary seaman may serve in
any unqualified rating in the deck department. Holders of documents endorsed for service as wiper may serve in
any unqualified rating in the engine
department. Documents endorsed for
steward’s department (F.H.) will authorize the holder’s service in any capacity
in the steward’s department. (See
§ 12.02–11(e)(2) for unqualified ratings in
the staff department.)
(b) When the holder of a merchant
mariner’s document has qualified as a
food handler, the endorsement of his
rating will be followed by the further
indorsement (F.H.).
[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as
amended by USCG–2002–13058, 67 FR 61278,
Sept. 30, 2002]

§ 12.25–20

Food handler.

No applicant for a rating authorizing
the handling of food will be certificated
unless he produces a certificate from a
medical officer of the United States
Public Health Service, or other reputable physician stating that the applicant is free from communicable disease.
§ 12.25–25 Members of Merchant Marine Cadet Corps.
No ratings other than cadet (deck) or
cadet (engine) as appropriate, and
lifeboatman shall be shown on a merchant mariner’s document issued to a
member of the U.S. Merchant Marine
Cadet Corps. The merchant mariner’s
document shall also be stamped Valid
only while cadet in the U.S. Maritime Administration training program. The merchant mariner’s document thus prepared shall be surrendered upon the
holder being certified in any other rating or being issued a license and the
rating of cadet (deck) or cadet (engine)
shall be omitted from any new merchant mariner’s document issued.
§ 12.25–30

Student observers.

Students in technical schools who
are enrolled in courses in marine management and ship operations who
present a letter or other documentary
evidence that they are so enrolled shall

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Coast Guard, DOT

Pt. 13

be issued a merchant mariner’s document as student observers—any department and may be signed on ships as
such. Students holding these documents or certificates will not take the
place of any of the crew, or fill any of
the regular ratings.
§ 12.25–35 Apprentice engineers.
(a) Persons enrolled in an apprentice
engineer training program approved by
the Commanding Officer, National
Maritime Center, and who present a
letter or other documentary evidence
that they are so enrolled may be issued
a merchant mariner’s document as apprentice engineer and may be signed on
ships as such. The endorsement apprentice engineer may be in addition to
other endorsements. However, this endorsement of apprentice engineer does
not authorize the holder to fill any of
the regular ratings.
(b) Persons holding merchant mariner’s documents with the endorsement
apprentice engineer shall be deemed to
be seamen.
[CGFR 66–69, 31 FR 15669, Dec. 13, 1966, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29,
1995; CGD 95–028, 62 FR 51196, Sept. 30, 1997;
USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998]

§ 12.25–40 Apprentice mate.
A person enrolled in an apprentice
mate training program approved by the
Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center who presents a letter or
other documentary evidence that he is
so enrolled may be issued a merchant
mariner’s document as apprentice mate
and may be signed on ships as apprentice mate. The endorsement apprentice
mate may be in addition to other endorsements. However, this endorsement as apprentice mate does not authorize the holder to fill any of the regular ratings.

ers at least the scope and content of
training outlined in Section B–IV/2 of
the STCW Code for training in maintenance of GMDSS installations on board
vessels.
[CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34538, June 26, 1997]

Subpart 12.30—Ro-Ro Passenger
Ships
SOURCE: CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34538, June 26,
1997, unless otherwise noted.

§ 12.30–1

The purpose of the regulations in this
subpart is to establish requirements for
certification of seamen serving on rollon/roll-off (Ro–Ro) passenger ships.
[CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34538, June 26, 1997, as
amended by CGD 97–057, 62 FR 51042, Sept. 30,
1997]

§ 12.30–3

Definitions.

Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) passenger ship
means a passenger ship with Ro-Ro
cargo spaces or special-category spaces
as defined in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974,
as amended (SOLAS), to which ship a
SOLAS Certificate is issued.
MMD means merchant mariner’s document.
§ 12.30–5

General requirements.

To serve on a Ro-Ro passenger ship
after January 31, 1997, a person holding
an MMD and performing duties toward
safety, cargo-handling, or care for passengers shall meet the appropriate requirements of STCW Regulation V/2
and of Section A–V/2 of the STCW
Code, and hold documentary evidence
to show his or her meeting these requirements.

PART 13—CERTIFICATION OF
TANKERMEN

[CGD 74–226, 40 FR 33976, Aug. 13, 1975, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29,
1995; USCG–1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30,
1998]

§ 12.25–45 GMDSS At-sea Maintainer.
An applicant is eligible to have his or
her STCW certificate or endorsement
include a statement of qualification as
GMDSS At-sea Maintainer if he or she
holds sufficient evidence of having
completed a training program that cov-

Purpose of regulations.

Subpart A—General
Sec.
13.101 Purpose.
13.103 Definitions.
13.105 Paperwork approval.
13.107 Tankerman endorsement: General.
13.109 Tankerman endorsement: Authorized
cargoes.
13.111 Restricted endorsement.

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