Entry & progression
Governing: 46 CFR 10.107 (seagoing vessel); 15.1101–15.1111; 11.301(b)(4), (g)–(i). Builds on: L1.1. Detailed tonnage and manning rules are covered in USCG Engineering: Sea Service, Manning and the Yacht.
The trigger: a seagoing vessel
46 CFR 10.107: “Seagoing vessel means a ship that operates beyond the boundary line specified in part 7 of this chapter.” Part 15 subpart J applies to seagoing vessels (15.1101(a)), with two sets of carve-outs.
Exempt from STCW altogether (15.1101(a)(1)): fishing vessels, fish tenders, barges, pilot vessels, and vessels operating only on the Great Lakes, US inland waters, the Straits of Juan de Fuca or the Inside Passage.
No STCW obligation on domestic near-coastal voyages (15.1101(a)(2)):
- small passenger vessels under subchapter T or K;
- vessels of less than 200 GRT other than subchapter H passenger vessels;
- uninspected passenger vessels as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101 (the six-pack).
Officers on those vessels are entitled to an STCW endorsement matching their national limitations under 11.301(g). For a single non-routine international voyage, 15.1101(b) allows the Coast Guard to issue a vessel-limited STCW endorsement without further proof.
Where the endorsements become mandatory
15.1103(a): on a seagoing vessel of 500 GT or more, driven by 750 kW / 1,000 HP or more, or on an international voyage beyond the boundary line, no one may serve as Master, Chief Mate, Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, OICNW, OICEW or GMDSS Radio Operator without the STCW endorsement.
| Position | Trigger | Paragraph |
|---|---|---|
| Officers, GMDSS operator | 500 GT, 750 kW, or international voyage | 15.1103(a) |
| RFPNW | 500 GT | 15.1103(b) |
| Able Seafarer-Deck | 500 GT | 15.1103(c) |
| RFPEW, Able Seafarer-Engine | 750 kW | 15.1103(d)–(e) |
| V/2 passenger ship training | SOLAS passenger ship, international voyage | 15.1103(f) |
| GMDSS maintainer at sea | SOLAS GMDSS ship using at-sea maintenance | 15.1103(g) |
Everyone else on board
15.1105(a) – no one may be given shipboard duties without either Basic Training in personal survival techniques or documented familiarisation: raising the alarm, man overboard, muster stations, lifejackets, extinguishers, first action at an accident, and fire and watertight doors.
15.1105(c) – anyone in the required complement or with a responsibility on the muster list must produce evidence of approved Basic Training and of maintaining it every 5 years.
On a yacht the muster list gives every deckhand, stewardess and chef an emergency duty. In practice the whole crew needs BT.
WARNING – GRT and GT are different numbers 15.1101(a)(2) uses 200 GRT (domestic tonnage). 15.1103 uses 500 GT (international tonnage). A yacht can be under 200 GRT and over 500 GT. For dual-tonnage vessels the Coast Guard credits service using the international tonnage (11.301(b)(4)).
The medical certificate
15.1103(h): on vessels to which STCW applies, everyone employed must hold a 2-year medical certificate (1 year if under 18). If it expires on voyage it stays valid to the next US port, up to 90 days. Covered in USCG The MMC Application.
Rest hours
15.1111 applies beyond the boundary line: at least 10 hours of rest in 24 and 77 in 7 days, in no more than two periods, one at least 6 hours, and no more than 14 hours between rest periods.
CAUTION – Private use Whether a US-flag yacht used only by her owner, with no charter, is inside this regime is a question of her service and inspection status, not her size. Take advice before assuming the whole crew is exempt.
TIP – Plan for the biggest boat Crew move between yachts. Train to the 500 GT international-voyage standard and the endorsement will never be the reason you miss a job.