§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 18 months 11 So in original. Probably should be “18 months’ ”. service on deck on board vessels operating at sea or on the Great Lakes.
( 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 .)
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 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:
“(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.