CFR > Title 46 - Shipping > CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER B—MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN (parts 10 to 16) > PART 11—REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICER ENDORSEMENTS > SUBPART D—Professional Requirements for Deck Officers (§11.401 to §11.497) > 11.464—Requirements for endorsements as master of towing vessels.

11.464—Requirements for endorsements as master of towing vessels.

(a) If you would like to obtain an endorsement as master of towing vessels with a route listed in column 1 of table 11.464(a) of this section, then you must complete the service requirements indicated in columns 2 through 5. You may serve on the subordinate routes listed in column 6 without further endorsement.
Table 11.464(a)—Requirements for Endorsement as Master of Towing Vessels 1
Route endorsed Total service 2 TOS 3 on T/V as mate (pilot) TOS 3 on T/V as mate (pilot) not as harbor assist TOS 3 onparticular route Subordinate route authorized
1 2 3 4 5 6
(1) OCEANS (O) 48 18 of 48 12 of 18 3 of 18 NC, GL-I
(2) NEAR-COASTAL (NC) 48 18 of 48 12 of 18 3 of 18 GL-I
(3) GREAT LAKES—INLAND (GL-I) 48 18 of 48 12 of 18 3 of 18
(4) WESTERN RIVERS (WR) 48 18 of 48 12 of 18 3 of 18
1 If you hold an endorsement as master of towing vessels you may have an endorsement-as mate (pilot) of towing vessels for a route superior to your current route on which you have no operating experience—placed on your MMC after passing an examination for that additional route. After you complete 90 days of experience and complete a Towing Officer's Assessment Record on that route, we will add it to your endorsement as master of towing vessels and remove the one for mate (pilot) of towing vessels.
2 Service is in months.
3 TOS is time of service.
(b) If you would like to obtain an endorsement as master of towing vessels (limited), then you must complete the requirements listed in columns 2 through 5 of table 11.464(b) of this section.
Table 11.464(b)—Requirements for Endorsement as Master of Towing Vessels
[Limited]
Route endorsed Total service 1 TOS 2 on T/Vas limitedapprentice mate (steersman) TOAR or anapproved course TOS 2 onparticular route
1 2 3 4 5
LIMITED LOCAL AREA (LLA) 36 18 of 48 12 of 18 3 of 18.
1 Service is in months.
2 TOS is time of service.
(c) If you hold a license or MMC endorsement as mate (pilot) of towing vessels, you may have master of towing vessels (limited) added to your MMC for a limited local area within the scope of your current route.
(d) Before you serve as master of towing vessels on the Western Rivers, you must possess 90 days of observation and training and have your MMC include an endorsement for Western Rivers.
(e) Each company must maintain evidence that every vessel it operates is under the direction and control of a mariner with the appropriate endorsement and experience, including 30 days of observation and training on the intended route other than Western Rivers.
(f) If you hold a license or MMC endorsement as a master of steam or motor vessels of greater than 200 gross register tons, you may operate towing vessels within any restrictions on your endorsement if you:
(1) Have a minimum of 30 days of training and observation on towing vessels for the route being assessed, except as noted in paragraph (e) of this section; and
(2) Either—
(i) Hold a completed Towing Officer's Assessment Record (TOAR) described in § 11.304(h) that shows evidence of assessment of practical demonstration of skills; or
(ii) Complete an approved training course.
(3) Your license or MMC does not need to include a towing endorsement if you hold a TOAR or complete an approved training course.
(g) If you began your service or training in the towing industry before May 21, 2001, you may receive a license as master of towing vessels if before May 21, 2004, you complete the examination required by 46 CFR 10.903(a)(18)(i) and meet either of the following two requirements:
(1) Three years of service, including—
(i) Two years on deck aboard a vessel 8 meters (26 feet) or more in length;
(ii) One year on deck aboard a towing vessel, with at least 6 months of training or duty in the wheelhouse of the towing vessel; and
(iii) Three months in each particular geographic area for which you are seeking authority; or
(2) Three years of service aboard towing vessels, including—
(i) One year on deck, with at least 6 months of training or duty in the wheelhouse of the towing vessel; and
(ii) Three months in each particular geographic area for which you are seeking authority.
Your license does not need a towing endorsement if you hold a TOAR or a course completion certificate.
[USCG-1999-6224, 64 FR 63228, Nov. 19, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 20937, Apr. 26, 2001; 68 FR 35812, June 17, 2003; USCG-2008-0906, 73 FR 56508, Sept. 29, 2008; USCG-2006-26202, 73 FR 52794, Sept. 11, 2008; USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11244, Mar. 16, 2009]