#### § 11.315 Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement as master of vessels of less than 500 GT (management level).

(a) To qualify for an STCW endorsement as master, an applicant must—

(1) Provide evidence of 36 months of seagoing service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal waters, and/or Great Lakes; however, this period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if not less than 12 months of such seagoing service has been served as chief mate. Service on inland waters, bays, or sounds that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service. Experience gained in the engine department may be creditable for up to 3 months of the service requirements;

(2) Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see [§ 11.102 of this part](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/part-11/section-11.102)); and

(3) Provide evidence of having satisfactorily completed approved training in the following subject areas:

(i) Search and rescue.

(ii) Management of medical care.

(iii) Leadership and managerial skills.

(iv) ECDIS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.

(v) ARPA, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.

(vi) GMDSS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.

(b) For a renewal of an STCW endorsement as master of vessels of less than 500 GT to be valid on or after January 1, 2017, each candidate must provide evidence of successful completion of approved training in the following:

(1) Leadership and managerial skills.

(2) ECDIS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.

(c) The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from meeting any individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency required in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code. These exemptions must be approved by the Coast Guard based upon vessel type. Under these circumstances, the credential may include a corresponding limitation.

(d) Seafarers with one of the following national officer endorsements are eligible to apply for this endorsement upon completion of the requirements in the following table:

Table 1 to [§ 11.315](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-11.315)(d)—STCW Endorsement as Master of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT

| Entry path from national endorsements | Sea service under authority of the endorsement1 | Competence—STCW Table A-II/22 | Training required by this section3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Master oceans or near-coastal, less than 500 GRT | None | Yes | Yes. |
| Master towing vessel oceans or near-coastal | None | Yes | Yes. |
| Master oceans or near-coastal, less than 200 GRT | 12 months | Yes | Yes. |
| | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 This column provides the minimum additional service required of the seafarer in order to meet the requirements of this section. | | | |
| 2 Complete any items in [paragraph (a)(2)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-11.315#p-11.315(a)(2)) of this section not previously satisfied. | | | |
| 3 Complete any items in [paragraph (a)(3)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-11.315#p-11.315(a)(3)) of this section not previously satisfied. | | | |

[USCG-2004-17914, [78 FR 77909](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/78-FR-77909), Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by [84 FR 30882](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/84-FR-30882), June 28, 2019]