CFR > Title 46 - Shipping > CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER B—MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN (parts 10 to 16) > PART 12—REQUIREMENTS FOR RATING ENDORSEMENTS > SUBPART 12.05—Able Seamen (§12.05-1 to §12.05-11) > 12.05-11—General provisions respecting merchant mariner's document endorsed for service as able seamen.

12.05-11—General provisions respecting merchant mariner's document endorsed for service as able seamen.

(a) The holder of an MMC or MMD endorsed for the rating of able seamen may serve in any rating in the deck department without obtaining an additional endorsement; provided, however, that the holder shall hold the appropriate endorsement under the STCW (incorporated by reference, see § 12.01-3) when serving as a rating forming part of a navigational watch (RFPNW) on a seagoing ship of 500 GT or more.
(b) An MMC or MMD endorsed as able seaman will also be considered an endorsement as lifeboatman.
(c) This type of document will describe clearly the type of able seaman certificate which it represents, e.g.: able seaman—any waters; able seaman—any waters, 12 months; able seaman—Great Lakes, 18 months; able seaman—on freight vessels, 500 gross tons or less on bays or sounds, and on tugs, towboats, and barges on any waters.
[CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 95-062, 62 FR 34537, June 26, 1997; USCG-1999-5610, 67 FR 66068, Oct. 30, 2002; USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11256, Mar. 16, 2009]