11.465—Requirements for endorsements as mate (pilot) of towing vessels.

(a) If you would like to obtain an endorsement as mate (pilot) of towing vessels endorsed with a route listed in column 1 of table 11.465(a) of this section, then you must complete the service in columns 2 through 5. If you hold a license or MMC endorsement as master of towing vessels (limited) and would like to upgrade it to mate (pilot) of towing vessels, then you must complete the service in columns 5 and 6. An endorsement with a route endorsed in column 1 authorizes service on the subordinate routes listed in column 7 without further endorsement. Time of service requirements as an apprentice mate (steersman) of towing vessels may be reduced by an amount equal to the time specified in the approval letter for the completed Coast Guard-approved training programs.

Table 11.465-1—Requirements for Endorsement as Mate (Pilot 1) of Towing Vessels

Route endorsed	Total service 2	TOS 3 on T/V as apprentice mate (steersman) 5	TOS 3 onparticular route	TOAR 4 or an approved course	30 days of observation and training whileholding master (limited)and pass a limitedexamination	Subordinate route authorized
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
(1) OCEANS (O)	30	12 of 30	3 of 12	YES	YES	NC, GL-I
(2) NEAR-COASTAL (NC)	30	12 of 30	3 of 12	YES	YES	GL-I
(3) GREAT LAKES-INLAND (GL-I)	30	12 of 30	3 of 12	YES	YES
(5) WESTERN RIVERS (WR)	30	12 of 30	3 of 12	YES	NO (90 days service required)
1 For all inland routes, as well as Western Rivers, the endorsement as pilot of towing vessels is equivalent to that as mate of towing vessels. All qualifications and equivalencies are the same.
2 Service is in months unless otherwise indicated.
3 TOS is time of service.
4 TOAR is Towing Officers' Assessment Record.
5 Time of service requirements as an apprentice mate (steersman of towing vessels may be reduced by an amount equal to the time specified in the approval letter for a completed Coast Guard-approved training program.

(b) Before you serve as mate (pilot) of towing vessels on the Western Rivers, you must possess 90 days of observation and training and have your MMC include an endorsement for Western Rivers.

(c) Each company must maintain evidence that every vessel it operates is under the direction and control of a mariner with the appropriate endorsement and experience, including 30 days of observation and training on the intended route other than Western Rivers.

(d) If you hold a license or MMC endorsement as a mate of inspected, self-propelled vessels of greater than 200 GRT or one as first-class pilot, then you may operate towing vessels within any restrictions on your credential if you:

(1) Have a minimum of 30 days of training and observation on towing vessels for the route being assessed, except as noted in paragraph (b) of this section; and

(2) Hold a completed Towing Officer's Assessment Record (TOAR) described in § 11.304(h) that shows evidence of assessment of practical demonstration of skills.

(3) Your license or MMC does not need to include a towing endorsement if you hold a TOAR or a course completion certificate.

(e) If you hold any endorsement as a master of steam or motor vessels of any tonnage that is 200 GRT or less, except for the limited masters endorsements specified in 46 CFR 11.429 and 11.456, then you may obtain an endorsement as mate (pilot) of towing vessels by meeting the following requirements:

(1) Providing proof of 36 months of service as a master under the authority of an endorsement described in paragraph (e) of this section;

(2) Successfully completing the appropriate TOAR;

(3) Successfully completing the appropriate apprentice mate exam; and

(4) Having a minimum of 30 days of training and observation on towing vessels for the route being assessed, except as noted in paragraph (b) of this section.

(f) An approved training course for mate (pilot) of towing vessels must include formal instruction and practical demonstration of proficiency either onboard a towing vessel or at a shoreside training facility before a designated examiner, and must cover the material (dependent upon route) required by § 11.910-2 for apprentice mate (steersman), towing vessels on ocean and near coastal routes; apprentice mate (steersman), towing vessels on Great Lakes and inland routes; or, steersman, towing vessels on Western Rivers routes.

(g) If you began your service or training before May 21, 2001, you may receive a license as mate of towing vessels if before November 21, 2003, you complete the examination required by § 10.903(a)(18)(i) and meet the requirements in either paragraph (f)(1)(i) or (f)(1)(ii) of this section:

(1) You must have served at least 18 months on deck, including 12 months on towing vessels. This service must have included—

(i) At least 3 months of training or duty in the wheelhouse of towing vessels, and 3 months of service in each particular geographic area for which you seek endorsement on the license; and

(ii) At least 6 months on towing vessels while holding a merchant mariner's document endorsed as able seaman unlimited, able seaman limited, or able seaman special, including 3 months in each particular geographic area for which you seek an endorsement; and either—

(A) Two months of training or duty in the wheelhouse; or

(B) One month of training or duty in the wheelhouse combined with completion of a course of training as towboat operator approved by the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, under subpart C of this part.

[USCG-1999-6224, 64 FR 63232, Nov. 19, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 20940, Apr. 26, 2001; 68 FR 35814, June 17, 2003; USCG-2006-26202, 73 FR 52794, Sept. 11, 2008; USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11245, Mar. 16, 2009]