Entry & progression
Governing: 46 CFR 11.401, 11.402, 11.410–11.421; 10.107. Builds on: USCG Master and Mate Less Than 200 GRT.
The category
11.410(a) issues Master and Mate endorsements below 1,600 GRT in three tonnage categories: less than 1,600 GRT, less than 500 GRT, and 25–200 GRT. This course covers the first two. 11.410(b) adds that engine-department time "on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be creditable for up to 90 days" toward any of them.
The grid
| Master | Mate — oceans | Mate — near-coastal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1,600 GRT | 11.412 (oceans or NC) | 11.414 | 11.416 |
| <500 GRT | 11.418 (oceans or NC) | 11.420 | 11.421 |
Great Lakes and inland equivalents: Master <1,600 (11.442), Mate <1,600 (11.444), Master <500 (11.446), Mate <500 (11.448).
Routes
- Near-coastal — ocean waters not more than 200 miles offshore (10.107).
- Oceans — seaward of the Part 7 Boundary Lines.
- 11.401(a): an ocean endorsement "qualifies the mariner to serve in the same grade on any waters".
- 11.401(b): a near-coastal endorsement also covers Great Lakes and inland waters.
For the Masters the route is a choice at examination (L3.3). For the Mates, the service rules differ: oceans asks for more time.
Where it sits
Below: the 25–200 GRT tickets. Above: the unlimited-tonnage ladder (Third Mate to Master, 11.404–11.407), which is a different world of tonnage rules. Between them, 11.412(b) offers a crossover down: "An applicant holding an MMC endorsement as Chief Mate of ... 1,600 GRT or more is eligible for this endorsement without further examination"; a Second Mate needs "a limited examination".
CAUTION — No shortcut up 11.402(c) lets a limited-tonnage unlimited officer strip limits with 6 months on 1,600 GRT+ vessels. 11.402(d) shuts this for anyone "holding any national endorsement as Master or Mate of vessels of less than 1,600 GRT, less than 500 GRT, or less than 25–200 GRT". Moving from here to unlimited means qualifying under 11.404–11.407 in full.
Sail and auxiliary sail
11.401(d) uses this very ticket as its example: "for an officer endorsement as Master of vessels of less than 1,600 GRT endorsed for auxiliary sail, the applicant must meet the total experience requirements for the conventional officer endorsement, including time as Mate, and the proper tonnage experience, including at least 1 year of deck service on appropriately sized auxiliary sail vessels". Checklist MCP-FM-NMC5-06 converts this to 360 days, all over 50 GRT for Master <500 and over 100 GRT for Master <1,600.
The oral exam cap
11.410(c): an endorsement in this category "obtained with an orally assisted examination will be limited to 200 GRT". Raising it needs the written exam and the service.