The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for an endorsement as master of Great Lakes and inland steam or motor vessels of any gross tons is:
(a)
One year of service as mate or first class pilot while acting in the capacity of first mate of Great Lakes steam or motor vessels of more than 1600 gross tons; or,
(b)
Two years of service as master of inland (excluding the Great Lakes) steam or motor vessels of more than 1600 gross tons; or,
(c)
One year of service upon Great Lakes waters while holding a license or MMC endorsement as mate or first class pilot of Great Lakes and inland steam or motor vessels of more than 1600 gross tons. A minimum of six months of this service must have been in the capacity of first mate. Service as second mate is accepted for the remainder on a two-for-one basis to a maximum of six months (12 months of service equals six months of creditable service).
[CGD 81-059, 52 FR 38623, Oct. 16, 1987. Redesignated and amended by USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11216 and 11243, Mar. 16, 2009]