Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73

§7308 Able seamen—limited

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part E— - Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and Documents › Chapter CHAPTER 73— - MERCHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS › § 7308

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

To get able seaman—limited you must have 12 months’ deck service on vessels at least 100 gross tons (sec.14502 or sec.14302 as prescribed by the Secretary under sec.14104) on oceans or U.S. navigable waters, including the Great Lakes.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §7308

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The required service for the endorsement of able seaman—limited, qualified for limited service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 12 months 11 So in original. Probably should be “12 months’ ”. service on deck on board vessels of at least 100 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title operating on the oceans or navigable waters of the United States (including the Great Lakes).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 730846:672(b)(2) section 7308 establishes the minimum service requirements for an individual to qualify for an endorsement as able seamen—limited.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–60, which directed amendment of this section by substituting “12 months” for “18 months”, was executed by making the amendment for “18 months’ ” to reflect the probable intent of Congress. 1996—Pub. L. 104–324 inserted “as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title” after “100 gross tons”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Temporary Reduction of Lengths of Certain Periods of Service Section to be applied by substituting “12 months” for “18 months” for the 3-year period beginning on Dec. 22, 2023, see section 3534(j) of Pub. L. 118–31, set out as a note under section 7307 of this title. Acceptance of Certain Services Toward Endorsement as Able SeamanService used to qualify for endorsement as able seaman—fishing industry to be accepted as qualifying service toward an endorsement under this section, see section 602(e)(3) of Pub. L. 101–595, set out as a note under section 7306 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 7308

Title 46Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73