Able seamen—unlimited

46 U.S.C. § 7307

• Title: 46 — Shipping
• Chapter: 73 — MERCHANT MARINERS' DOCUMENTS

Text

The required service for the endorsement of able seaman—unlimited, qualified for unlimited service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 18 months 1 service on deck on board vessels operating at sea or on the Great Lakes.

History

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 543; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, §7301(d)(2), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1753.)

Editorial Notes

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 documents can be endorsed as able seamen—unlimited.

Editorial Notes

Amendments
2025—Pub. L. 119–60, which directed amendment of this section by substituting "18 months" for "3 years", was executed by making the substitution for "3 years' " to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

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 beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023]—
"(1) section 7307 of title 46, United States Code, shall be applied by substituting '18 months' for '3 years';
"(2) section 7308 of such title shall be applied by substituting '12 months' for '18 months'; and
"(3) section 7309 of such title shall be applied by substituting '6 months' for '12 months'."

Acceptance of Certain Services Toward Endorsement as Able Seaman
Service 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.