(a) An applicant for an endorsement as master of towing vessels with a route listed in column 1 of table 1 to this section, must complete the service requirements indicated in columns 2 through 5. Applicants may serve on the subordinate routes listed in column 5 without further endorsement.

Table 1 to §11.464(a)—Requirements for Endorsement as Master of Towing Vessels1

Open Table
1 2 3 4 5
Route endorsed Total
service2
TOS3
on T/V
as mate
(pilot)
TOS3 on
particular
route
Sub-ordinate
route authorized
(1) OCEANS (O) 48 18 3 NC, GL-I.
(2) NEAR-COASTAL (NC) 48 18 3 GL-I.
(3) GREAT LAKES-INLAND (GL-I) 48 18 3 None.
(4) WESTERN RIVERS (WR) 48 18 3 None.

1The holder of an endorsement as master of towing vessels may have an endorsement placed on the MMC as mate (pilot) of towing vessels for a route superior to the current route on which the holder has no operating experience after passing an examination for that additional route. After the holder completes 90 days of experience and completes a Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR) on that route, the Coast Guard will add it to the holder's endorsement as master of towing vessels and remove the endorsement for mate (pilot) of towing vessels.

2Service is in months.

3TOS is time of service.

(b) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§11.307, 11.311, 11.313, and 11.315 of this part.

(c) To obtain an endorsement as master of towing vessels (limited), applicants must complete the requirements listed in columns 2 through 5 of table 1 to paragraph (c) of this section.

Table 1 to §11.464(c)—Requirements for National Endorsement as Master of Towing Vessels (Limited)

Open Table
1 2 3 4 5
Route endorsed Total
service1
TOS2
on T/V as
limited
apprentice mate (steersman)
TOAR
or an
approved
course
TOS on
particular
route
LIMITED LOCAL AREA (LLA) 36 18 Yes 3.

1Service is in months.

2TOS is time of service.

(d) Those holding a license or MMC endorsement as mate (pilot) of towing vessels, may have master of towing vessels (limited) added to their MMC for a limited local area within the scope of their current route.

(e) Before serving as master of towing vessels on the Western Rivers, mariners must possess 90 days of observation and training and their MMC must include an endorsement for Western Rivers.

(f) 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.

(g) Those holding a license or MMC endorsement as a master of self-propelled vessels of more than 200 GRT, may operate towing vessels within any restrictions on their endorsement if they—

(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 Assessment Record (TOAR) described in §10.404(c) of this part that shows evidence of assessment of practical demonstration of skills; or

(ii) Complete an approved training course.

(h) A license or MMC does not need to include a towing endorsement if mariners hold a TOAR or complete an approved training course.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77909, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2018-0874, 84 FR 30882, June 28, 2019]


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