US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

46 U.S.C. § 7312

Scale of employment

(a)
section 7307 of this title Individuals qualified as able seamen—unlimited under may constitute all of the able seamen required on a vessel.
(b)
section 7308 of this titlesection 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title Individuals qualified as able seamen—limited under may constitute all of the able seamen required on a vessel of less than 1,600 gross tons as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under or on a vessel operating on the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River as far east as Sept Iles. Individuals qualified as able seamen—limited may constitute not more than 50 percent of the number of able seamen required on board other vessels.
(c)
section 7309 of this title Individuals qualified as able seamen—special under may constitute—
(1)
section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title all of the able seamen required on a vessel of not more than 500 gross tons as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under or on a seagoing barge or towing vessel; and
(2)
not more than 50 percent of the number of able seamen required on board other vessels.
(d)
section 7310 of this titlesection 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 7308 of this titlesection 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title Individuals qualified as able seamen—offshore. supply vessel under may constitute all of the able seamen required on board a vessel of less than 500 gross tons as measured under or 6,000 gross tons as measured under engaged in support of exploration, exploitation, or production of offshore mineral or energy resources. Individuals qualified as able seamen—limited under may constitute all of the able seamen required on board a vessel of at least 500 gross tons as measured under or 6,000 gross tons as measured under section as measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under engaged in support of exploration, exploitation, or production of offshore mineral or energy resources.
(e)
When the service of able seamen—limited or able seamen—special is authorized for only a part of the required number of able seamen on board a vessel, the combined percentage of those individuals so qualified may not be greater than 50 percent of the required number.
(f)
section 7311a of this title Individuals qualified as able seamen—fishing industry under may constitute—
(1)
section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title all of the able seamen required on a fish processing vessel entered into service before , and of more than 1,600 gross tons but not more than 5,000 gross tons as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under ; and
(2)
section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title all of the able seamen required on a fish processing vessel entered into service after , and having more than 16 individuals on board primarily employed in the preparation of fish or fish products but of not more than 5,000 gross tons as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under .

Pub. L. 98–8997 Stat. 543 Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(E)98 Stat. 448 Pub. L. 99–307, § 1(11)100 Stat. 445 Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 723110 Stat. 3938 Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 617(b)124 Stat. 2973 (, , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7312

46:672(f)

Section 7312(a) provides that able seamen—unlimited may constitute all of the able seamen required on a vessel.

Subsection (b) provides that able seamen—limited may constitute 100 percent of the able seamen required on board vessels of less than 600 gross tons operating on the Great Lakes and 50 percent of the number of able seamen required on the larger vessels.

Subsection (c) provides that able seamen—special may constitute 100 percent of the able seamen required on vessels not more than 500 gross tons, or a seagoing barge or towing vessel. Able seamen—special may only constitute up to 50 percent of the number of able seamen required on other vessels.

Subsection (d) provides that able seamen—offshore supply vessels may constitute 100 percent of the number of able seamen required on vessels of less than 500 gross tons engaged in support of exploration, exploitation, or production of offshore mineral or energy facilities. They may not serve on board other vessels as an able seaman until they have the appropriate required document.

Subsection (e) provides that the total number of able seamen—limited or able seamen—special may not be greater than 50 percent of the required number of able seamen on a vessel.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 111–281section 7310 of this titlesection 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title2010—Subsec. (d). amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: “Individuals qualified as able seamen—offshore supply vessels under may constitute all of the able seamen required on board a vessel of less than 500 gross tons as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under engaged in support of exploration, exploitation, or production of offshore mineral or energy resources.”

Pub. L. 104–324, § 723(1)section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title1996—Subsec. (b). , inserted “as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under ” after “1,600 gross tons”.

Pub. L. 104–324, § 723(2)section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this titleSubsec. (c)(1). , inserted “as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under ” after “500 gross tons”.

Pub. L. 104–324, § 723(3)section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this titleSubsec. (d). , inserted “as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under ” after “500 gross tons”.

Pub. L. 104–324, § 723(4)section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this titleSubsec. (f)(1). , inserted “as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under ” after “5,000 gross tons”.

Pub. L. 104–324, § 723(5)section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this titleSubsec. (f)(2). , inserted “as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under ” after “5,000 gross tons”.

Pub. L. 99–3071986—Subsec. (e). substituted “able seamen—limited” for “able seaman—limited”.

Pub. L. 98–3641984—Subsec. (f). added subsec. (f).