Title 46 — Shipping
Part E · Chapter 73 — Merchant Mariners’ Documents
§ 7306. General requirements and classifications for members of deck departments
Statutory text
In General.—
The Secretary may issue a merchant mariner credential, to members of the deck department in the following classes:
Able Seaman-Unlimited.
Able Seaman-Limited.
Able Seaman-Special.
Able Seaman-Offshore Supply Vessels.
Able Seaman-Sail.
Able Seaman-Fishing Industry.
Ordinary Seaman.
Classification of Credentials.—
The Secretary may classify the merchant mariner credential issued under subsection (a) based on—
the tonnage and means of propulsion of vessels;
the waters on which vessels are to be operated; or
other appropriate standards.
Qualifications.—
To qualify for a credential under this section, an applicant shall provide satisfactory proof that the applicant—
is at least 18 years of age;
has the service required by the applicable section of this part;
is qualified professionally as demonstrated by an applicable examination or educational requirements;
is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical condition to perform the seafarer’s duties; and
has satisfied any additional requirements established by the Secretary, including career patterns and service appropriate to the particular service, industry, or job functions the individual is engaged.
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Pub. L. 98–89 · 97 Stat. 500
Enacted · 46 U.S.C. § 7306
Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542
Source evidence
Code source credit
Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Act
Pub. L. 98–364 title IV § 402(9)(C) · 98 Stat. 440
Added · 46 U.S.C. § 7306(b)(6)
Pub. L. 98–364 added par. (6)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 98–364 added par. (6).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(C) Section 7306(b) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(6) able seaman—fishing industry.”.Pub. L. 119–60 div. G title LXXIII § 7301(d)(1) · 139 Stat. 1753
Amended · 46 U.S.C. § 7306
Pub. L. 119–60 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to general requirements and classifications for able seamen
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–60 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 119–60 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to general requirements and classifications for able seamen.
1 of 3 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial · 1 unresolved
Notes
historicalAndRevision
| Historical and Revision Notes | |
|---|---|
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 7306 | 46:672(b) |
Section 7306(a) establishes the minimum requirements an individual must meet before being issued a merchant mariner’s document endorsed for able seamen.
Subsection (b) establishes the classifications of able seamen—unlimited, able seamen—limited, able seamen—special, able seamen—offshore supply vessels, and able seamen—sail.
Editorial Notes
Amendments1984–2025 · 2 rounds
2025
Pub. L. 119–60 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to general requirements and classifications for able seamen.
1984
Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 98–364 added par. (6).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Provisions of this section (related to able seaman—sail) effective , see section 2(g)(1) of Pub. L. 98–89, set out as a note under section 3101 of this title.
Implementation of 2025 Amendment
Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(e)(1), , 139 Stat. 1755, provided that: “The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall implement the requirements under subsection (c) of section 7306 of title 46, United States Code (as amended by this section), without regard to chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, and Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 (5 U.S.C. 601 note).”
Acceptance of Certain Services Toward Endorsement as Able Seaman
Pub. L. 101–595, title VI, § 602(e)(3), , 104 Stat. 2992, provided that:
“For the purposes of chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary of Transportation shall accept the service used by an individual to qualify for an endorsement as able seaman—fishing industry as qualifying service toward an endorsement as an able seaman—
“(A) under sections 7307 and 7309 of that title; or
“(B) if the service is on board a vessel of at least 100 gross tons, under section 7308 of that title.”
Credits
1983–2025 · 3 acts
- 1983Pub. L. 98–89, , 97 Stat. 542
- 1984Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(C), , 98 Stat. 448
- 2025Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(d)(1), , 139 Stat. 1753.
Show as published
(Pub. L. 98–89, , 97 Stat. 542; Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(C), , 98 Stat. 448; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(d)(1), , 139 Stat. 1753.)