USCG: Clarification on STCW endorsements for able seamen

The United States Coast Guard has issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin providing clarification on the STCW endorsements necessary for able seamen.

The MSIB was published on 10 June 2024.

This MSIB clarifies the manning regulations within Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 15.404 (b) and 15.840 (c) for vessels subject to Standards of Training and Certification of Watchkeeping, as Amended (STCW).

Title 46 CFR § 15.404(b) states that mariners filling one of the required able seamen billets on a vessel subject to STCW must hold an appropriate national endorsement as able seaman and an STCW endorsement as Able Seafarer – Deck (AS-D).

Title 46 CFR § 15.840(a) states that onboard all vessels of at least 100 GRT, 65% of the deck crew (excluding individuals serving as officers) must hold a merchant mariner credential (MMC) with a national able seaman endorsement. Onboard vessels with a two-watch system, only 50% of those individuals are required to hold an MMC with an able seaman endorsement.

Title 46 CFR § 15.840(c) states that able seamen manning vessels subject to STCW must hold an MMC with an endorsement as either Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW) or AS-D. Mariners filling one of the able seamen billets needed to meet the 65% required by 46 CFR § 15.840(a) must hold an appropriate national endorsement as able seaman and an STCW endorsement as AS-D. The remaining 35% of the deck crew of the vessel to which STCW applies may hold national endorsements as able seaman, or ordinary seaman, with an STCW endorsement as RFPNW.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):