Entry & progression
Governing: 46 CFR 12.407, 12.409, 12.613, 12.615, 12.617; NMC checklist MCP-FM-NMC5-224 (05), 17 Jan 2025. Builds on: L2.1. Content: MCA PSCRB and MCA Fast Rescue Boat in the xplor library.
The national base: Lifeboat Operator
The 2024 rule renamed Lifeboatman Lifeboat Operator (12.407) and Lifeboatman-Limited Lifeboat Operator-Limited (12.409). Both need:
- age 18; a medical certificate; a drug test or exemption;
- 6 months sea service in any department plus an approved course, or 12 months sea service in any department;
- an English-language exam and a practical demonstration, which an approved course with a practical element can satisfy.
Lifeboat Operator-Limited is for “any United States vessel fitted with liferafts, but not fitted with lifeboats” (12.409(a)). That describes most yachts.
The three STCW endorsements
| Endorsement | CFR | Prerequisites | STCW table |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSC – survival craft and rescue boats other than FRB | 12.613 | 18; Lifeboat Operator requirements; BT | A-VI/2-1 |
| PSC-Limited – other than lifeboats and FRB | 12.615 | 18; Lifeboat Operator-Limited requirements; BT | A-VI/2-1 |
| FRB | 12.617 | 18; PSC or PSC-Limited; CG-approved or -accepted FRB course | A-VI/2-2 |
The NMC checklist gives the same sea service routes for PSC and PSC-Limited: 180 days in any department plus an approved course, or 360 days with no course. Assessments to STCW Table A-VI/2-1 are required. The checklist notes that assessments under the old Policy Letter 08-01 are not acceptable and that the pre-2017 transitional route in 12.613(c) is no longer valid.
CAUTION – Limited is limited The checklist is explicit: a PSC course satisfies PSC-Limited, but a PSC-Limited course does not satisfy full PSC. A deckhand planning a move to a lifeboat-fitted ship or a large expedition yacht should take full PSC.
Renewal every 5 years
12.613(b), 12.615(b) and 12.617(b) require continued competence every 5 years.
| Endorsement | Route 1 | Route 2 |
|---|---|---|
| PSC / PSC-Limited | 360 days sea service in 5 years plus valid BT renewal | Approved or accepted PSC refresher, or the original course, within 5 years |
| FRB | 360 days sea service in 5 years plus valid BT renewal | Approved or accepted FRB refresher, or the original course, within 5 years |
Sea service covers the onboard items: taking charge of the craft during and after launch, operating the engine, using location devices and first aid to survivors. Everything else must be assessed ashore (12.613(b)(3)).
Where officers meet this
Every STCW OICNW endorsement requires approved training in PSC or PSC-Limited (11.309(a)(4)(v), 11.319(a)(4)(v)). A yacht officer with PSC-Limited only will find that it is the version that meets the officer requirement.
Fast rescue boats on yachts
Whether a yacht’s tender counts as a fast rescue boat depends on its approval and how it is listed on the safety equipment certificate and muster list, not on its top speed. Where a designated FRB is fitted, the crew assigned to it need the FRB endorsement.
WARNING – FRB depends on PSC FRB rests on PSC or PSC-Limited. Let PSC lapse and the FRB endorsement has nothing to stand on at renewal.
TIP – One course, three endorsements A mariner with 6 months of yacht time can take one approved PSC course to cover the Lifeboat Operator course route, PSC and the OICNW survival-craft training item. Add FRB in the same week if the school runs both.