46 U.S.C. § 7306 — General requirements and classifications

Page 135 TITLE 46—SHIPPING § 7307 1 See Temporary Reduction of Lengths of Certain Periods of Service note below. Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted ‘‘individual’’ for ‘‘seaman’’ wherever appearing. 2002—Pub. L. 107–295 struck out ‘‘the thumbprint,’’ after ‘‘photograph,’’. § 7304. Citizenship notation on merchant mari- ners’ documents An individual applying for a merchant mari- ner’s document shall provide satisfactory proof that the individual is a citizen of the United States before that notation is made on the docu- ment. (Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised section Source section (U.S. Code) 7304 .............................................. 46:643(b) Section 7304 specifies, that before a merchant mari- ner’s document is noted to specify that the individual is a U.S. citizen, the individual must provide satisfac- tory proof that he is a citizen. This does not impose a requirement of United States citizenship as a condition for issuance of a document. § 7305. Oaths for holders of merchant mariners’ documents An applicant for a merchant mariner’s docu- ment shall take, before issuance of the docu- ment, an oath that the applicant will perform faithfully and honestly all the duties required by law, and will carry out the lawful orders of superior officers. (Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised section Source section (U.S. Code) 7305 .............................................. .............................................. The requirement for an oath, drawn from a clause which had appeared in 46 U.S.C. 672(g), and adminis- tered by the Coast Guard to all applicants, was re- pealed in a 1980 amendment by section 4 of Public Law 96–378 (94 Stat. 1516). Since no specific comment was made regarding the elimination in 1980 and the agency has continued to administer an oath to all applicants, this provision is being reinstated. The Committee be- lieves the oath will contribute to the discipline and order necessary in the merchant marine. § 7306. General requirements and classifications for able seamen (a) To qualify for an endorsement as able sea- man authorized by this section, an applicant must provide satisfactory proof that the appli- cant— (1) is at least 18 years of age; (2) has the service required by the applicable section of this part; (3) is qualified professionally as dem- onstrated by an applicable examination or educational requirements; and (4) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and phys- ical condition to perform the seaman’s duties. (b) The classifications authorized for endorse- ment as able seaman are the following: (1) able seaman—unlimited. (2) able seaman—limited. (3) able seaman—special. (4) able seaman—offshore supply vessels. (5) able seaman—sail. (6) able seaman—fishing industry. (Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542; Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(C), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 448.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised section Source section (U.S. Code) 7306 .............................................. 46:672(b) Section 7306(a) establishes the minimum require- ments an individual must meet before being issued a merchant mariner’s document endorsed for able sea- men. Subsection (b) establishes the classifications of able seamen—unlimited, able seamen—limited, able sea- men—special, able seamen—offshore supply vessels, and able seamen—sail. Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 1984—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 98–364 added par. (6). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE Provisions of this section (related to able seaman— sail) effective Apr. 15, 1984, see section 2(g)(1) of Pub. L. 98–89, set out as a note under section 3101 of this title. ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN SERVICES TOWARD ENDORSEMENT AS ABLE SEAMAN Pub. L. 101–595, title VI, § 602(e)(3), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2992, provided that: ‘‘For the purposes of chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary of Transportation shall accept the service used by an indi- vidual to qualify for an endorsement as able seaman— fishing industry as qualifying service toward an en- dorsement as an able seaman— ‘‘(A) under sections 7307 and 7309 of that title; or ‘‘(B) if the service is on board a vessel of at least 100 gross tons, under section 7308 of that title.’’ § 7307. Able seamen—unlimited The required service for the endorsement of able seaman—unlimited, qualified for unlimited service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 3 years’ 1 service on deck on board vessels oper- ating at sea or on the Great Lakes. (Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 543.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised section Source section (U.S. Code) 7307 .............................................. 46:672(b)(1) Section 7307 requires individuals to have at least 3 years service on deck on vessels operating at sea or on the Great Lakes before their merchant mariner’s docu- ments can be endorsed as able seamen—unlimited. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries TEMPORARY REDUCTION OF LENGTHS OF CERTAIN PERIODS OF SERVICE Pub. L. 118–31, div. C, title XXXV, § 3534(j), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 833, provided that: ‘‘For the 3-year period