Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73
§7309 Able seamen—special
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part E— - Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and Documents › Chapter CHAPTER 73— - MERCHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS › § 7309
Summary
To get the special able-seaman endorsement that allows you to serve on any waters, you must have at least 6 months of deck service. That service must be on vessels that operate on the oceans or on the United States’ navigable waters, including the Great Lakes.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §7309
Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The required service for the endorsement of able seaman—special, qualified for special service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 6 months 11 So in original. Probably should be “6 months’ ”. service on deck on board vessels operating on the oceans or the 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) 730946:672(b)(3) section 7309 establishes the minimum service requirements for an individual to qualify as able seamen—special.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2025—Pub. L. 119–60, which directed amendment of this section by substituting “6 months” for “12 months”, was executed by making the substitution for “12 months’ ” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Temporary Reduction of Lengths of Certain Periods of Service Section to be applied by substituting “6 months” for “12 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. § 7309
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73