(a) National engineer endorsements are issued in the grades of—

(1) Chief engineer;

(2) First assistant engineer;

(3) Second assistant engineer;

(4) Third assistant engineer;

(5) Chief engineer (limited);

(6) Assistant engineer (limited);

(7) Designated duty engineer;

(8) Chief engineer uninspected fishing industry vessels;

(9) Assistant engineer uninspected fishing industry vessels;

(10) Chief engineer (MODU);

(11) Assistant engineer (MODU);

(12) Chief engineer (OSV); and

(13) Assistant engineer (OSV).

(b) Engineer endorsements issued in the grades of chief engineer (limited) and assistant engineer (limited) of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels allow the holder to serve within any propulsion power limitations on vessels of unlimited tonnage on inland waters and of less than 1,600 GRT in ocean, near-coastal, or Great Lakes service in the following manner:

(1) Chief engineer (limited) may serve on oceans and near-coastal waters.

(2) Assistant engineer (limited) may serve on ocean and near-coastal waters.

(c) Engineer licenses or MMC endorsements issued in the grades of designated duty engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels allow the holder to serve within stated propulsion power limitations on vessels of less than 500 GRT in the following manner:

(1) Designated duty engineers limited to vessels of less than 1,000 HP or 4,000 HP may serve only on near-coastal or inland waters.

(2) Designated duty engineers-unlimited may serve on any waters.

(d) An engineer officer's license or MMC endorsement authorizes service on steam, motor, or gas turbine-propelled vessels or may authorize all modes of propulsion.

(e) A person holding an engineer license or MMC endorsement that is restricted to near-coastal waters may serve within the limitations of the license or MMC upon near-coastal, Great Lakes, and inland waters.

(a) For all original and raise of grade of engineer endorsements, at least one-third of the minimum service requirements must have been obtained on the particular mode of propulsion for which the applicant seeks endorsement.

(b) If an applicant desires to add a propulsion mode (steam, motor, or gas turbine) to his or her endorsement while holding a license or MMC officer endorsement in that grade, the following alternatives are acceptable:

(1) Four months of service as an observer on vessels of the new propulsion mode.

(2) Four months of service as an engineer officer at the operational level on vessels of the new propulsion mode.

(3) Six months of service as oiler, fireman/watertender, or junior engineer on vessels of the new propulsion mode.

(4) Completion of a Coast Guard-approved training course for this endorsement.

(a) Engineer endorsements of all grades and types may be subject to propulsion power limitations. Other than as provided in § 11.524 of this subpart for the designated duty engineer (DDE), the propulsion power limitation placed on a license or MMC endorsement is based on the applicant's qualifying experience considering the total shaft propulsion power of each vessel on which the applicant has served.

(b) When an applicant for an original or raise of grade of an engineer endorsement, other than a DDE, has not obtained at least 50 percent of the required experience on vessels of 4,000 HP/3,000 kW or more, a propulsion power limitation is placed on the MMC based on the applicant's qualifying experience. The endorsement is limited to the maximum propulsion power on which at least 25 percent of the required experience was obtained, or 150 percent of the maximum propulsion power on which at least 50 percent of the service was obtained, whichever is higher. Limitations are in multiples of 1,000 HP/750 kW, using the next higher figure when an intermediate horsepower is calculated. When the limitation as calculated equals or exceeds 10,000 HP/7,500 kW, an unlimited propulsion power endorsement is issued.

(c) The following service on vessels of 4,000 HP/3,000 kW or more will be considered qualifying for raising or removing the propulsion power limitations placed on an engineer endorsement:

(1) Six months of service in the highest-grade endorsed: Removal of all propulsion power limitations.

(2) Six months of service as an engineer officer in any capacity other than the highest grade for which the applicant is licensed or endorsed: Removal of all propulsion power limitations for the grade in which service is performed and raised to the next higher grade endorsement to the propulsion power of the vessel on which service was performed. The total cumulative service before and after issuance of the limited engineer endorsement may be considered in removing all propulsion power limitations.

(3) Twelve months of service as oiler or junior engineer while holding a license or MMC endorsement as third assistant engineer or assistant engineer (limited): Removal of all propulsion power limitations on third assistant engineer or assistant engineer's (limited) endorsement.

(4) Six months of service as oiler or junior engineer while holding a license or MMC endorsement as second assistant engineer: removal of all propulsion power limitations on third assistant engineer's endorsement.

(d) Raising or removing propulsion power limitations based on service required by paragraph (c) of this section may be granted without further written examination, if the Coast Guard considers further examination unnecessary.

Service gained in the deck department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may substitute for up to 25 percent or 6 months, whichever is less, of the service requirement for an endorsement as chief engineer (limited), assistant engineer (limited), or DDE.

Figure 11.505(a) illustrates the national engineering endorsement structure, including crossover points.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for endorsement as chief engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels is—

(1) One year of service as first assistant engineer; or

(2) One year of service while holding a license or MMC endorsement as first assistant engineer. A minimum of 6 months of this service must have been as first assistant engineer, and the remainder must be as assistant engineer. Service as an assistant engineer other than first assistant engineer is accepted on a two-for-one basis to a maximum of 6 months (2 days of service as a second or third assistant engineer equals 1 day of creditable service).

(b) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.325 and 11.331 of this part.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for endorsement as first assistant engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels is—

(1) One year of service as an assistant engineer while holding a license or MMC with a second assistant engineer endorsement; or

(2) One year of service as a chief engineer (limited) and completing the appropriate examination described in subpart I of this part.

(b) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.327, 11.331, and 11.333 of this part.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for endorsement as second assistant engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels is—

(1) One year of service as an assistant engineer, while holding a license or MMC endorsement as third assistant engineer; or

(2) One year of service while holding a license or MMC endorsement as third assistant engineer, which includes—

(i) A minimum of 6 months of service as third assistant engineer; and

(ii) Additional service as a qualified member of the engine department, calculated on a two-for-one basis.

(b) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.327, 11.329, and 11.333 of this part.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for endorsement as third assistant engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels is—

(1) Three years of service in the engineroom of vessels, 2 years of which must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent position;

(2) Three years of service as an apprentice to the machinist trade engaged in the construction or repair of marine, locomotive, or stationary engines, together with 1 year of service in the engineroom as oiler, fireman/watertender, or junior engineer;

(3) Graduation from—

(i) The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (engineering curriculum);

(ii) The U.S. Coast Guard Academy and completion of an onboard engineer officer qualification program required by the service;

(iii) The U.S. Naval Academy and completion of an onboard engineer officer qualification program required by the service; or

(iv) The engineering class of a Maritime Academy approved by and conducted under the rules prescribed by the Maritime Administrator and listed in part 310 of this title;

(4) Graduation from the marine engineering course of a school of technology accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, together with 3 months of service in the engine department of steam, motor, or gas turbine-propelled vessels;

(5) Graduation from the mechanical or electrical engineering course of a school of technology accredited by the ABET, together with 6 months of service in the engine department of steam, motor, or gas turbine-propelled vessels;

(6) Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive apprentice engineers training program approved by the Coast Guard; or

(7) One year of service as assistant engineer (limited) of self-propelled vessels and completion of the appropriate examination described in subpart I of this part.

(b) Experience gained in the deck department on vessels of 100 GRT or more can be credited for up to 3 months of the service requirements under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(c) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.327, 11.329, and 11,333 of this part.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for endorsement as chief engineer (limited) of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels is 5 years of total service in the engineroom of vessels. Two years of this service must have been as an engineer officer while holding an engineer officer endorsement. Thirty months of the service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent position.

(b) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.325 and 11.331 of this part.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for endorsement as assistant engineer (limited) of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels is 3 years of service in the engineroom of vessels. Eighteen months of this service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent position.

(b) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.327, 11.329, and 11.333 of this part.

(a) DDE endorsements are issued in three levels of propulsion power limitations dependent upon the total service of the applicant and completion of an appropriate examination. These endorsements are limited to vessels of less than 500 GRT on certain waters as specified in § 11.501 of this subpart.

(b) The service requirements for endorsements as DDE are—

(1) For designated duty engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels of unlimited propulsion power, the applicant must have 3 years of service in the engineroom. Eighteen months of this service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent position;

(2) For designated duty engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels of less than 4,000 HP/3,000 kW, the applicant must have 2 years of service in the engineroom. One year of this service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent position; and

(3) For designated duty engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels of less than 1,000 HP/750 kW, the applicant must have 1 year of service in the engineroom. Six months of this service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent position.

(c) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.325, 11.327, 11.329, and 11.331 of this part.

(a) This section applies to endorsements for chief and assistant engineers of all vessels, however propelled, which are documented to engage in the fishing industry, with the exception of—

(1) Wooden ships of primitive build;

(2) Unrigged vessels; and

(3) Vessels of less than 200 GRT.

(b) Endorsements as chief engineer and assistant engineer of uninspected fishing industry vessels are issued for ocean waters and with propulsion power limitations in accordance with the provisions of § 11.503 of this subpart.

(c) For an endorsement as chief engineer, the applicant must have served 4 years in the engineroom of vessels. One year of this service must have been as an assistant engineer officer or equivalent position.

(d) For an endorsement as assistant engineer, an applicant must have served 3 years in the engine room of vessels.

(e) Two-thirds of the service required under this section must have been on motor vessels.

(f) Applicants may request an orally assisted examination on the subjects listed in subpart I of this part.

Endorsements as chief engineer (MODU) or assistant engineer (MODU) authorize service on certain self-propelled or non-self-propelled units of unlimited propulsion power where authorized by the vessel's certificate of inspection.

(a) To qualify for an endorsement as chief engineer (MODU) an applicant must—

(1) Present evidence of one of the following:

(i) Six years of employment assigned to MODUs, including 3 years of employment as mechanic, motorman, subsea engineer, electrician, barge engineer, toolpusher, unit superintendent, crane operator, or equivalent. Eighteen months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units.

(ii) Two years of employment assigned to MODUs as an assistant engineer (MODU). Twelve months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units; and

(2) Present evidence of completion of a firefighting training course as required by § 11.201(h) of this part.

(b) If an applicant successfully completes an examination and possesses the total required sea service for an endorsement as chief engineer (MODU), but does not possess the required sea service onboard self-propelled or propulsion assisted units, the Coast Guard may issue the applicant an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units. The Coast Guard may remove the limitation upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of the required self-propelled sea service and completion of any additional required examination.

(c) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.325, 11.327, and 11.331 of this part.

(a) To qualify for an endorsement as assistant engineer (MODU) an applicant must—

(1) Present evidence of one of the following experience:

(i) Three years of employment assigned to MODUs including 18 months of employment as mechanic, motorman, subsea engineer, electrician, barge engineer, toolpusher, unit superintendent, crane operator, or equivalent. Nine months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted unit.

(ii) Three years of employment in the machinist trade engaged in the construction or repair of diesel engines and 1 year of employment assigned to MODUs in the capacity of mechanic, motorman, oiler, or equivalent. Nine months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units.

(iii) A degree from a program in marine, mechanical, or electrical engineering technology that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The National Maritime Center will give consideration to accepting education credentials from programs having other than ABET accreditation. An applicant qualifying through a degree program must also have at least 6 months of employment in any of the capacities listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section aboard self-propelled or propulsion-assisted units; and

(2) Present evidence of completion of a firefighting training course as required by § 11.201(h) of this part.

(b) If an applicant successfully completes an examination and possesses the total required sea service for an endorsement as an assistant engineer (MODU), but does not possess the required sea service onboard self-propelled or propulsion assisted units, the Coast Guard may issue the applicant an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units. The Coast Guard may remove the limitation upon presentation of the satisfactory evidence of the required self-propelled sea service and completion of any additional required examination.

(c) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.329 and 11.333 of this part.

Each endorsement for service on OSVs as chief engineer (OSV) or engineer (OSV) authorizes service on OSVs as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(19) and as interpreted under 46 U.S.C. 14104(b), subject to any restrictions placed on the MMC.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as chief engineer (OSV) is 4 years of total service in the engineroom of vessels. One year of this service must have been as an engineer officer while holding an engineer officer endorsement. Two years of the service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent position.

(b) If an applicant has not obtained at least 50 percent of the required experience on vessels of 4,000 HP/3,000 kW or more, a propulsion power limitation is placed on the MMC based on the applicant's qualifying experience. The endorsement is limited to the maximum propulsion power on which at least 25 percent of the required experience was obtained, or 150 percent of the maximum propulsion power on which at least 50 percent of the service was obtained, whichever is higher. Limitations are in multiples of 1,000 HP/750 kW, using the next higher figure when an intermediate propulsion power is calculated. When the limitation as calculated equals or exceeds 10,000 HP/7,500 kW, an unlimited propulsion power endorsement is issued.

(c) A person holding an endorsement as chief engineer (OSV) may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.325, 11.327, and 11.331 of this part.

(d) The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from meeting any requirement under STCW Regulation III/2 (incorporated by reference, see § 11.102 of this part) that the Coast Guard determines to be inappropriate or unnecessary for service on an OSV, or that the applicant meets under the equivalency provisions of Article IX of STCW.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as assistant engineer (OSV) of unlimited propulsion power is—

(1) Three years of service in the engineroom. Eighteen months of this service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department (QMED) or equivalent position; or

(2) One year of total service as part of an approved or accepted assistant engineer (OSV) training program.

(b) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as assistant engineer (OSV) of less than 4,000 HP/3,000 kW, is 2 years of service in the engineroom. One year of this service must have been as a QMED or equivalent position.

(c) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as assistant engineer (OSV) of less than 1,000 HP/750 kW is 1 year of service in the engineroom. Six months of this service must have been as a QMED or equivalent position.

(d) A person holding an endorsement as assistant engineer (OSV) may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.329 and 11.333 of this part.

(e) The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from meeting any requirement under STCW Regulation III/1 (incorporated by reference, see § 11.102 of this part) that the Coast Guard determines to be inappropriate or unnecessary for service on an OSV, or that the applicant meets under the equivalency provisions of Article IX of STCW.