US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

46 U.S.C. § 7307

Able seamen—unlimited

1

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

Pub. L. 98–8997 Stat. 543Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(d)(2)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

Pub. L. 119–602025—, 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)137 Stat. 833

“For the 3-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act []—
“(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’.”
, , , provided that:

Acceptance of Certain Services Toward Endorsement as Able Seaman

section 602(e)(3) of Pub. L. 101–595section 7306 of this titleService used to qualify for endorsement as able seaman—fishing industry to be accepted as qualifying service toward an endorsement under this section, see , set out as a note under .