---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 12.603"
title: "46"
number: "12.603"
heading: "Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement as Able Seafarer-Deck."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/12.603"
---

# §12.603. Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement as Able Seafarer-Deck.

- (a) **To qualify for this endorsement as Able Seafarer-Deck, an applicant must—**
  - (1) Be not less than 18 years of age;
  - (2) Meet the requirements for certification as Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW);
  - (3) **While qualified as an RFPNW, have seagoing service in the deck department of—**
    - (i) Not less than 18 months; or
    - (ii) Not less than 12 months and have completed approved training;
  - (4) Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Table A-II/5 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see [§ 12.103](/cfr/46/12.103.md)); and
  - (5) **Provide evidence of having satisfactorily completed approved training in—**
    - (i) Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats (PSC); or
    - (ii) Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, other than lifeboats or Fast Rescue Boats-Limited (PSC-Limited), as appropriate.
- (b) Seafarers holding a rating endorsement as Able Seafarer before January 1, 2017, will be eligible for this endorsement upon showing evidence of—
  - (1) Holding an endorsement as an RFPNW; and
  - (2) **Having satisfactorily completed approved training in—**
    - (i) Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, other than Fast Rescue Boats (PSC); or
    - (ii) Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, other than lifeboats or Fast Rescue Boats (PSC-Limited), as appropriate.
- (c) The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from meeting any individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency required in Section A-II/5 of the STCW Code. These exemptions must be approved by the Coast Guard, based upon vessel type. Under these circumstances, the endorsement may include a corresponding limitation.
- (d) Except as provided in [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, seafarers with the following national rating endorsements will be eligible for this endorsement upon completion of the requirements designated in this section:

## Notes

### Amendments

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77975, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2018-0874, 84 FR 30882, June 28, 2019; USCG-2021-0097, 89 FR 93103, Nov. 25, 2024]

### Authority

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 2101, 2103, 2110, 7301, 7302, 7503, 7505, 7701, and 70105; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77975, Dec. 24, 2013, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77975, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2018-0874, 84 FR 30882, June 28, 2019; USCG-2021-0097, 89 FR 93103, Nov. 25, 2024]