This part describes the various tank vessel endorsements issued by the Coast Guard on a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

(a) This part prescribes the requirements for the following endorsements:

(1) Tank Vessel-PIC.

(2) Tank Barge-PIC .

(3) Restricted Tank Vessel-PIC.

(4) Restricted Tank Barge-PIC .

(5) Tank Vessel-Assistant.

(6) Tank Vessel-Engineer.

(b) This part prescribes the requirements for the following STCW endorsements:

(1) Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operation.

(2) Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operation.

(3) Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operation.

(4) Basic Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operation.

(5) Basic Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operation.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77987, Dec. 24, 2013]

(a) Certain material is incorporated by reference into this part with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All approved incorporation by reference material (IBR) is available for inspection at the Coast Guard and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Contact Coast Guard at: Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing (CG-MMC), U.S. Coast Guard, Stop 7509, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20593-7509; phone: 202-372-1492; website: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/nmc/merchant_mariner_credential/. For information on the availability of this material at NARA,Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected]. The material may be obtained from:

(b) International Maritime Organization (IMO), 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR, England; phone: +44 (0)20 7735 7611; website: www.imo.org.

(1) The Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code, as amended, 2011 (the STCW Code); approved for incorporation by reference in §§ 13.601, 13.603, 13.605, 13.607, 13.609, and 13.611; and

(2) [Reserved]

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77987, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2016-0315, 81 FR 43955, July 6, 2016]

(a) This section lists the control numbers assigned by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 [Pub. L. 96-511] for the reporting and recordkeeping requirements in this part.

(b) OMB has assigned the following control numbers to the sections indicated:

(1) OMB 1625-0040—46 CFR 13.113, 13.115, 13.117, 13.201, 13.203, 13.205, 13.301, 13.303, 13.305, 13.401, 13.403, 13.405, 13.501, 13.503, 13.505.

(2) OMB 1625-0028—46 CFR 13.121, 13.207, 13.209, 13.307, 13.309, 13.407, 13.409, 13.507, 13.509.

[CGD 79-116, 60 FR 17142, Apr. 4, 1995, as amended by USCG-2004-18884, 69 FR 58343, Sept. 30, 2004]

An applicant for any endorsement in this part must also meet the requirements for the MMC on which the endorsement would appear. These requirements are set out in part 10 of this subchapter.

[USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11259, Mar. 16, 2009, as amended by USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77988, Dec. 24, 2013]

(a) If an applicant meets the requirements of subpart B of this part, the Coast Guard may endorse their MMC as Tank Vessel-PIC with the appropriate cargo classification or classifications. A person holding this endorsement and meeting the other requirements of 33 CFR 155.710(a) may act as a PIC of a transfer of fuel oil, of a transfer of liquid cargo in bulk, or of cargo-tank cleaning on any tank vessel. That person may also act as a Tank Vessel-Engineer, provided they also hold an engineer officer endorsement.

(b) If an applicant meets the requirements of subpart C of this part, the Coast Guard may endorse their MMC as Tank Barge-PIC with the appropriate cargo classification or classifications. A person holding this endorsement and meeting the other requirements of 33 CFR 155.710(b) may act as a PIC of a transfer of liquid cargo in bulk only on a tank barge.

(c) If an applicant meets the requirements of subpart D of this part, the Coast Guard may endorse their MMC as Tank Vessel-Assistant with the appropriate cargo classification or classifications. No person holding this endorsement may act as a PIC of any transfer of fuel oil, of any transfer of liquid cargo in bulk, or of cargo-tank cleaning unless they also hold an endorsement authorizing service as PIC. They may, however, without being directly supervised by the PIC, perform duties relative to cargo and cargo-handling equipment assigned by the PIC of transfers of fuel oil, of transfers of liquid cargo in bulk, or of cargo-tank cleaning. When performing these duties, they must maintain continuous two-way voice communications with the PIC.

(d) If an applicant meets the requirements of subpart E of this part, the Coast Guard may endorse their MMC as Tank Vessel-Engineer. No person holding this endorsement may act as a PIC or Tank Vessel-Assistant of any transfer of liquid cargo in bulk, or of cargo-tank cleaning unless they also hold an endorsement authorizing such service. A person holding this endorsement and acting in this capacity has the primary responsibility, on their self-propelled tank vessel carrying dangerous liquid (DL) or liquefied gas (LG), for maintaining both the cargo systems and equipment for transfer of liquid cargo in bulk. No person credentialed under part 11 of this chapter may serve as a Chief Engineer, First Assistant Engineer, or Cargo Engineer aboard an inspected self-propelled tank vessel when liquid cargo in bulk or cargo residue is carried unless they hold an endorsement as Tank Vessel-Engineer or equivalent.

(e) If an applicant meets the requirements of § 13.111, the Coast Guard may place, on their MMC, an endorsement as a Tank Vessel-PIC restricted according to the definitions of “restricted tank vessel endorsement” in § 10.107 of this subchapter.

(f) This section does not apply to any person solely by reason of their involvement in bunkering or fueling.

[CGD 79-116, 60 FR 17142, Apr. 4, 1995, as amended by CGD 79-116, 62 FR 25127, May 8, 1997; USCG-2008-0906, 73 FR 56508, Sept. 29, 2008; USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11259, Mar. 16, 2009; USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77988, Dec. 24, 2013]

(a) Each tank vessel endorsement described in § 13.107 will expressly limit the holder's service under it to transfers involving one or both of the following cargo classifications:

(1) Dangerous liquid (DL).

(2) Liquefied gas (LG).

(b) No tank vessel endorsement is necessary to transfer the liquid cargoes in bulk listed in table 2 of part 153 of this subchapter when those cargoes are carried on barges not certified for ocean service.

[CGD 79-116, 60 FR 17142, Apr. 4, 1995, as amended by USCG-2008-0906, 73 FR 56508, Sept. 29, 2008; USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11259, Mar. 16, 2009; USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77988, Dec. 24, 2013]

(a) An applicant may apply for a tank vessel endorsement restricted to specific cargoes, specific vessels, or groups of vessels (such as uninspected towing vessels and oil spill response vessels), specific facilities, and/or specific employers. The Coast Guard will evaluate each application and may modify the applicable requirements for the endorsement, allowing for special circumstances and for whichever restrictions the endorsement will state.

(b) To qualify for a Restricted Tank Vessel-PIC endorsement, an applicant must meet §§ 13.201 (excluding paragraph (c)(4)), 13.203, and 13.205.

(1) Twenty-five percent of the service described in § 13.203(a) must have occurred within the past 5 years.

(2) Two of the transfers described in § 13.203(b) must have occurred within the past 5 years.

(c) To qualify for a Restricted Tank Barge-PIC endorsement, an applicant must meet §§ 13.301 (excluding paragraph (c)(4)), 13.303, and 13.305.

(1) Twenty-five percent of the service described in § 13.303(a) must have occurred within the past 5 years.

(2) Two of the transfers described in § 13.303(b) must have occurred within the past 5 years.

(d) To qualify for a Restricted Tank Barge-PIC endorsement restricted to a tank-cleaning and gas-freeing facility, an applicant must—

(1) Be at least 18 years old;

(2) Apply on a form provided by the Coast Guard;

(3) Provide evidence of passing a physical and medical examination according to § 13.125;

(4) Provide evidence in a method prescribed by the Coast Guard, which must be dated within the 5 years prior to the application for the credential, from the operator of the facility stating that OSHA considers the applicant a “competent person (as designated under 29 CFR 1915.7)” for the facility and that the applicant has the knowledge necessary to supervise tank-cleaning and gas-freeing; and

(5) Be capable of speaking and understanding, in English, all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a transfer of cargo, and of reading and understanding the English found in the Declaration of Inspection, vessel response plans, and Cargo Information Cards.

(e) The Restricted Tank Barge-PIC endorsement restricted to a tank-cleaning and gas-freeing facility is valid only while the applicant is employed by the operator of the facility that provided the letter of service required by paragraph (d)(4) of this section, and this and any other appropriate restrictions will appear in the endorsement.

(f) A restricted Tank Vessel-PIC endorsement limited to operation on vessels inside the boundary line is not valid where STCW certification is required.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77988, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2021-0834, 89 FR 102337, Dec. 17, 2024]

Each applicant for an original tank vessel endorsement must provide evidence of having passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs or of qualifying for an exemption from testing in § 16.220 of this subchapter as specified in § 10.225(b)(5) of this subchapter.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77988, Dec. 24, 2013]

Whenever an applicant applies for re-issuance of any tank vessel endorsement more than 12 months after expiration of the previous endorsement, the applicant must meet the requirements for an original endorsement.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77988, Dec. 24, 2013]

A tank vessel endorsement is valid for the duration of the Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) on which the endorsement appears.

[CGD 79-116, 60 FR 17142, Apr. 4, 1995, as amended by USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11259, Mar. 16, 2009]

An applicant seeking renewal of a tank vessel endorsement or an STCW endorsement valid for service on tank vessels must meet the requirements of § 10.227 of this subchapter, except § 10.227(e)(1), for renewing an MMC, and meet the following additional requirements:

(a) For endorsements as Tank Vessel-PIC, Advanced Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operation; and Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations, provide evidence of—

(1) At least 90 days of service during the preceding 5 years onboard a tank vessel for which the endorsement is valid, performing duties appropriate to the tank vessel endorsement held; and participation in at least two transfers of liquid cargo in bulk of the type for which the endorsement is valid within the preceding 5 years; or

(2) Completion of an approved course for Tankship: Dangerous Liquids or Tankship: Liquefied Gases, appropriate for the endorsement to be renewed, within the previous 5 years.

(b) For endorsements as Tank Vessel-Assistant, Basic Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operation; and Basic Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations, provide evidence of—

(1) At least 90 days of service during the preceding 5 years onboard a tank vessel for which the endorsement is valid, performing duties appropriate to the tank vessel endorsement held; or

(2) Completion of an approved course for Tankship: Dangerous Liquids or Tankship: Liquefied Gases, appropriate for the endorsement to be renewed, within the previous 5 years.

(c) For endorsements as Tank Barge-PIC, provide evidence of—

(1) Participation in at least two transfers of liquid cargo in bulk of the type for which the endorsement is valid, within the preceding 5 years; or

(2) Completion of a course approved for this purpose, appropriate for the endorsement to be renewed, within the previous 5 years.

(d) For endorsements as Tank Vessel-Engineer, provide evidence of—

(1) At least 90 days of service during the preceding 5 years onboard a tank vessel for which the endorsement is valid, performing duties appropriate to the tank vessel endorsement held; or

(2) Completion of a course approved for this purpose, appropriate for the endorsement to be renewed, within the previous 5 years.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77989, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2021-0834, 89 FR 102337, Dec. 17, 2024]

(a) This section prescribes the requirements, beyond those in §§ 10.302 and 10.304 of this subchapter, applicable to schools offering courses required for a tank vessel endorsement and courses that are a substitute for experience with transfers of liquid cargo in bulk required for the endorsement.

(b) A course that uses simulated transfers to train students in loading and discharging tank vessels may replace up to two loadings and two discharges, one commencement and one completion of loading, and one commencement and one completion of discharge required for a Tank Vessel-PIC or Tank Barge-PIC endorsement. The request for approval of the course must specify those segments of a transfer that the course will simulate. The letter from the Coast Guard approving the course will state the number and kind of segments that the course will replace.

(c) The Liquid Cargo course required for an endorsement as—

(1) Tank Vessel-PIC DL is Tankship: Dangerous Liquids;

(2) Tank Barge-PIC DL is Tank Barge: Dangerous Liquids;

(3) Tank Vessel-PIC LG is Tankship: Liquefied Gases;

(4) Tank barge-PIC LG is Tank Barge: Liquefied Gases;

(5) Tank Vessel-Assistant DL is Tankship: Familiarization (Dangerous Liquids);

(6) Tank Vessel-Assistant LG is Tankship: Familiarization (Liquefied Gases);

(7) Tank Vessel-Engineer DL is Tankship: Dangerous Liquids; and

(8) Tank Vessel-Engineer LG is Tankship: Liquefied Gases.

(d) The firefighting course required for an endorsement as—

(1) Tank Barge-PIC is Tank Barge: Firefighting or Basic Firefighting; and

(2) Tank Vessel-PIC, Tank Vessel-Assistant, and Tank Vessel-Engineer is basic firefighting.

(e) The Coast Guard will evaluate and approve the curricula of courses to ensure adequate coverage of the required subjects. Training may employ classroom instruction, demonstrations, or simulated or actual operations.

(1) The course curricula for Tankship Familiarization must consist of the topics identified in table 1 to § 13.121(e).

(2) The course curricula for Tank Vessel-PIC, Tank Barge-PIC, and Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsements must consist of the topics identified in table 2 to § 13.121(e).

(3) The course curricula for firefighting courses must consist of the topics identified in table 3 to § 13.121(e).

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77989, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58279, Sept. 29, 2014]

An applicant for an original tank vessel endorsement in subpart B, C, D, or E of this part must have obtained at least 25 percent of the qualifying service and, if the endorsement requires transfers, at least two of the qualifying transfers, within 5 years of the date of application.

[CGD 79-116, 60 FR 17142, Apr. 4, 1995, as amended by USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77994, Dec. 24, 2013]

Each applicant for an original tank vessel endorsement must meet the physical requirements of part 10, subpart C, of this subchapter.

[CGD 79-116, 60 FR 17142, Apr. 4, 1995, as amended by USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11259, Mar. 16, 2009; USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77994, Dec. 24, 2013]

(a) A service letter must be signed by the owner, operator, Master, or Chief Engineer of the vessel and must specify the following:

(1) The name of the vessel, official number for the vessel, and date of service for each vessel.

(2) For endorsements as Tank Vessel-PIC, Tank Barge-PIC, and Tank Vessel-Assistant, the classification of cargo (DL, LG, or, for a restricted endorsement, a specific product) handled while the applicant accumulated the service.

(3) The dates, the numbers and kinds of transfers the applicant has participated in, the ports or terminals, if applicable, and the number of transfers that involved commencement or completion of loading or discharge.

(4) For endorsements as Tank Vessel-PIC or Tank Barge-PIC, that the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the signer that they are fully capable of supervising transfers of liquid cargo, including—

(i) Pre-transfer inspection;

(ii) Pre-transfer conference and execution of the Declaration of Inspection;

(iii) Connection of cargo hoses or loading-arms;

(iv) Line-up of the cargo system for loading and discharge;

(v) Start of liquid flow during loading;

(vi) Start of cargo pump and increase of pressure to normal discharge pressure;

(vii) Calculation of loading-rates;

(viii) Monitoring;

(ix) Topping-off of cargo tanks during loading;

(x) Stripping of cargo tanks;

(xi) Ballasting and deballasting, if appropriate;

(xii) Disconnection of the cargo hoses or loading-arms; and

(xiii) Securing of cargo systems.

(5) For endorsements as Tank Vessel-Engineer, that the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the signer that they are fully capable of supervising transfers of fuel oil, including—

(i) Pre-transfer inspection;

(ii) Pre-transfer conference and execution of the Declaration of Inspection;

(iii) Connection of hoses or loading-arms;

(iv) Line-up of the piping system for loading and transfer of fuel oil;

(v) Start of liquid flow during loading;

(vi) Calculation of loading rates;

(vii) Monitoring;

(viii) Topping-off of tanks during loading;

(ix) Disconnection of the hoses or loading arms; and

(x) Securing of fuel oil systems.

(b) In determining the numbers and kinds of transfers that the applicant has participated in under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the following rules apply:

(1) A transfer must involve the loading or discharge from at least one of the vessel's cargo tanks to or from a shore facility or another vessel. A shift of cargo from one tank to another tank is not a transfer for this purpose.

(2) Regardless of how long the transfer lasts beyond 4 hours, it counts as only one transfer.

(3) A transfer must include both a commencement and a completion.

(4) Regardless of how many tanks or products are being loaded or discharged at the same time, a person may receive credit for only one transfer, one loading, and one discharge conducted during each watch.

(5) Credit for a transfer during a watch of less than 4 hours accrues only if the watch includes either the connection and the commencement of transfer or the completion of transfer and the disconnection.

(6) Credit for a commencement of loading accrues only if the applicant participates in the pre-transfer inspection, the pre-transfer conference including execution of the Declaration of Inspection, the connection of hoses or loading-arms, the line-up of the system for the loading, the start of liquid flow, and the calculation of loading-rates, where applicable.

(7) Credit for a commencement of discharge accrues only if the applicant participates in the pre-transfer inspection, the pre-transfer conference including execution of the Declaration of Inspection, the connection of hoses or loading-arms, the line-up of the cargo system for the discharge, the start of the pump or pumps and increase of pressure to normal pressure for discharge, and the monitoring of discharge rates.

(8) Credit for a completion of transfer, whether loading or discharge, accrues only if the applicant participates in the topping-off at the loading port, or in the stripping of cargo tanks and the commencement of ballasting, if required by the vessel's transfer procedures, at the discharge port.

(9) Personnel desiring credit for transfers during off-duty hours may satisfy requirements of competence through incremental training periods that include segments of transfers. The cumulative number of transfers must equal the minimum specified in §§ 13.203(b) or 13.303(b) of this subchapter.

(c) Service on Articulated Tug Barges (ATBs). Service on ATBs with an aggregate tonnage of 1,600 GRT or more will be creditable on a case-by-case basis and with prior authorization by the Coast Guard, provided the ATB equipment is comparable to tank vessel equipment. The Coast Guard may issue blanket authorizations for classes of ATBs.

[CGD 79-116, 60 FR 17142, Apr. 4, 1995, as amended by CGD 79-116, 62 FR 25133, May 8, 1997; USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77994, Dec. 24, 2013]

Table 1 to § 13.129 provides a guide to the requirements for various tank vessel endorsements. Provisions in the reference sections are controlling.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77995, Dec. 24, 2013]