Sea Time Requirements for OUPV and Master Endorsements

TL;DR — An OUPV near-coastal applicant needs 12 months of vessel operating experience with at least 3 months on ocean or near-coastal waters; a Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage requires 1 year of service as chief mate on ocean self-propelled vessels (or an equivalent 12-month combination while holding a chief mate endorsement). 46 CFR §11.467 46 CFR §11.404

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What the Rule Says

OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels)

The OUPV endorsement authorizes operation of an uninspected vessel of less than 100 GRT, equipped with propulsion machinery of any type, carrying six or fewer passengers. 46 CFR §11.467 The endorsement is a national officer endorsement established under 46 CFR Part 11. 46 CFR §10.109

The sea service requirements vary by the waters for which the endorsement is sought:

Near-coastal waters: A minimum of 12 months of experience in the operation of vessels, including at least 3 months of service on vessels operating on ocean or near-coastal waters. A near-coastal OUPV limits the holder to domestic near-coastal waters not more than 100 miles offshore, the Great Lakes, and all inland waters. 46 CFR §11.467

Great Lakes and inland waters: 12 months of service on Great Lakes or inland waters, including at least 3 months of service operating vessels on Great Lakes waters. 46 CFR §11.467

Inland waters only: A minimum of 12 months of experience in the operation of vessels. Endorsements issued for inland waters include all inland waters except the Great Lakes. 46 CFR §11.467

Limited OUPV (camps, yacht clubs, marinas, educational institutions): Only 3 months of service in the operation of the type of vessel for which the endorsement is requested. The applicant must also satisfactorily complete an approved safe-boating course and pass a limited examination appropriate for the activity and route. The endorsement is limited to the specific activity and locality. 46 CFR §11.467

Restricted OUPV (specific inland navigable waters): At least 3 months of service in the operation of the type of vessel and on each body of water for which the endorsement is requested. The cognizant OCMI must approve the specific bodies of water and may modify service and examination requirements. 46 CFR §11.467

Spanish-speaking applicants: An applicant who speaks Spanish but not English may be issued an OUPV endorsement restricted to the navigable waters of the United States in the vicinity of Puerto Rico. 46 CFR §11.467

The quick reference table confirms that OUPV experience requirements are governed by 46 CFR §11.467(c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), and that no firefighting training is required for the OUPV endorsement. 46 CFR §10.239

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Master of Ocean or Near-Coastal Self-Propelled Vessels of Unlimited Tonnage

The Master endorsement is a national officer endorsement established under 46 CFR Part 11. 46 CFR §10.109 The minimum service to qualify for master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage is met by one of two pathways:

Pathway 1: One year of service as chief mate on ocean self-propelled vessels. 46 CFR §11.404

Pathway 2: While holding a license or MMC endorsement as chief mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage, 12 months of service on deck structured as follows:

• A minimum of 6 months of service as chief mate.
• Service as second mate, third mate, or officer in charge of a navigational watch (OICNW) accepted on a two-for-one basis — meaning 12 months as OICNW equals only 6 months of creditable service toward the requirement. 46 CFR §11.404

Pathway for Great Lakes/Inland Masters upgrading to Ocean: An individual holding an endorsement as master of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage, or master of inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage, may obtain an ocean or near-coastal master endorsement by providing evidence of not less than 24 months of sea service under the authority of that credential and completing the prescribed examination. Service is credited as follows:

• Great Lakes service: day-for-day, up to 100 percent of the total required service.
• Inland waters (other than Great Lakes) that are navigable waters of the United States: day-for-day, for up to 50 percent of the total required service.
• Service on vessels to which STCW applies, whether inland or coastwise: day-for-day. 46 CFR §11.404

A person holding the master of ocean or near-coastal unlimited tonnage endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement under 46 CFR §11.305. 46 CFR §11.404

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Master (OSV) — Offshore Supply Vessels

For context relevant to the 100 GT exam, the Master (OSV) endorsement has its own distinct sea service structure. For OSVs less than 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT, the minimum is 24 months of total service as mate, chief mate, or master on ocean or near-coastal and/or Great Lakes self-propelled vessels of more than 100 GRT, with at least one-half of that experience served as chief mate. Inland waters service may substitute for up to 50 percent of the required service. 46 CFR §11.493

For OSVs of 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT or more, the same 24-month total is required, but at least one-half must be served as chief mate on vessels of 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT or more. 46 CFR §11.493

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Recency of Service — Renewals

For officer renewals (including OUPV and Master), the recency of service standard is 1 year of service in the past 5 years. 46 CFR §10.239 For original endorsements, the applicant must meet the recency standard under 46 CFR §11.201(c)(2). 46 CFR §10.239

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Why It Matters on the Exam

Exam questions on this topic test whether candidates can distinguish between the different OUPV route endorsements and their respective sea service minimums, and whether they understand the structured pathways to a Master unlimited tonnage endorsement.

The most frequently tested distinctions are:

1. Near-coastal vs. inland OUPV sea service. The near-coastal endorsement requires 12 months total with 3 months specifically on ocean or near-coastal waters. The inland-only endorsement requires 12 months total with no ocean component. Confusing these two is a common error. 46 CFR §11.467

2. The 3-month ocean sub-requirement for near-coastal OUPV. The total 12 months can come from any waters, but the 3-month ocean/near-coastal component is mandatory and cannot be substituted. 46 CFR §11.467

3. The two-for-one credit rule for Master unlimited. When using Pathway 2, service as second mate, third mate, or OICNW counts at half value. Only chief mate service counts at full value. A candidate who tries to satisfy the 12-month requirement entirely with third mate service will fall short. 46 CFR §11.404

4. The 24-month requirement for Great Lakes/Inland Masters upgrading to ocean. This is double the 12-month requirement under Pathway 1 or 2, and inland service (non-Great Lakes) is capped at 50 percent. 46 CFR §11.404

5. Limited OUPV vs. standard OUPV. The limited endorsement (camps, yacht clubs, marinas) requires only 3 months of service but is geographically and operationally restricted. Exam distractors may present the 3-month figure as if it applies to a standard near-coastal OUPV. 46 CFR §11.467

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Common Pitfalls

Pitfall 1 — Conflating the 3-month and 12-month figures for OUPV near-coastal. The total requirement is 12 months; the 3 months on ocean or near-coastal waters is a sub-requirement within that 12 months, not an alternative to it. 46 CFR §11.467

Pitfall 2 — Assuming Great Lakes service is "inland" for the upgrade pathway. For the Great Lakes/Inland Master upgrading to ocean, Great Lakes service credits day-for-day up to 100 percent, while non-Great Lakes inland service is capped at 50 percent. These are treated differently. 46 CFR §11.404

Pitfall 3 — Forgetting the chief mate endorsement prerequisite for Pathway 2. Pathway 2 to Master unlimited requires that the applicant already hold a chief mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage endorsement at the time the service is accumulated. Service accumulated before holding that endorsement does not qualify under Pathway 2. 46 CFR §11.404

Pitfall 4 — Applying OSV sea service rules to the standard Master endorsement. The Master (OSV) requires 24 months of service; the Master of ocean or near-coastal unlimited tonnage requires 12 months (Pathway 1) or 12 months structured service (Pathway 2). These are separate endorsements with separate requirements. 46 CFR §11.493 46 CFR §11.404

Pitfall 5 — Overlooking the OCMI's role in restricted OUPV endorsements. For restricted OUPV endorsements on specific inland navigable waters, the cognizant OCMI must approve the specific bodies of water and retains authority to modify service and examination requirements. This is not a self-certifying process. 46 CFR §11.467

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Quick Check

Q1 — An applicant wants an OUPV endorsement for near-coastal waters. What is the minimum total sea service required, and what portion must be on ocean or near-coastal waters?

A minimum of 12 months of experience in the operation of vessels, including at least 3 months of service on vessels operating on ocean or near-coastal waters. 46 CFR §11.467

Q2 — An applicant holds a chief mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage endorsement and wants to upgrade to Master. Using Pathway 2, how many months of chief mate service are required at minimum, and how is third mate service credited?

A minimum of 6 months of service as chief mate is required. Service as third mate (or second mate or OICNW) is accepted on a two-for-one basis — 12 months of third mate service equals only 6 months of creditable service. The total structured service must equal 12 months. 46 CFR §11.404

Q3 — A person holds a Master of inland self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage endorsement and wants to obtain a Master of ocean or near-coastal unlimited tonnage endorsement. How much sea service is required, and what is the credit limit for non-Great Lakes inland service?

Not less than 24 months of sea service under the authority of the inland master credential, plus completion of the prescribed examination. Non-Great Lakes inland waters service that are navigable waters of the United States credits day-for-day for up to 50 percent of the total required service. 46 CFR §11.404

Q4 — What is the sea service requirement for a limited OUPV endorsement issued to an applicant employed at a marina, and what additional requirements apply?

Three months of service in the operation of the type of vessel for which the endorsement is requested. The applicant must also satisfactorily complete an approved safe-boating course and pass a limited examination appropriate for the activity and route authorized. The endorsement is limited to the specific activity and locality. 46 CFR §11.467

Q5 — An OUPV applicant speaks Spanish but not English. What endorsement, if any, may be issued?

An OUPV endorsement restricted to the navigable waters of the United States in the vicinity of Puerto Rico may be issued. 46 CFR §11.467

Q6 — For a Master (OSV) endorsement on vessels less than 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT, what is the minimum total sea service and what position must account for at least half of that service?

24 months of total service as mate, chief mate, or master on ocean or near-coastal and/or Great Lakes self-propelled vessels of more than 100 GRT. At least one-half of the required experience must be served as chief mate. Inland waters service may substitute for up to 50 percent of the required service. 46 CFR §11.493