Your Sea Time.
Documented Right.

The type of water you operate in affects what your time qualifies for.

Minimum sea service days vary by endorsement. Always verify against current 46 CFR.

Under 46 CFR §10.232, the Coast Guard requires sea service documented to clearly show who you are, what vessel, what capacity, what dates, and what waters. There is no mandatory format — but missing details trigger deficiency letters.

Every entry must capture

• Full legal name and mariner reference number
• Official vessel name, number, and gross tonnage
• Capacity (Master, Mate, AB, Engineer, Deckhand)
• Exact dates — month, day, year — sign-on and sign-off
• Waters operated in (oceans, near-coastal, Great Lakes, inland, rivers)
• Propulsion type if applicable

• Date ranges like "Summer 2023" instead of exact on/off dates
• Listing net tonnage when Coast Guard needs gross tonnage
• Omitting water type or guessing when routes crossed boundaries
• Missing vessel official documentation number
• Sea service letters that don't match your own log entries

A well-kept logbook protects you in audits, investigations, and disputes. Get the details right the day they happen.

• Any calendar day performing duties aboard counts — even a few hours
• Days at anchor or dock while signed on typically count
• Time on vessels under 100 GRT may credit differently by endorsement
• Uninspected vessel time counts but requires more careful documentation

Rules vary by endorsement. Review 46 CFR Subpart B before assuming your time qualifies.

Tonnage is volume, not weight. The Coast Guard uses gross tonnage (GT/GRT) for credentialing.

• Gross Tonnage: Total internal volume. Determines your license tier.
• Net Tonnage: Gross minus non-revenue spaces. Not used for credentials.
• Displacement: Weight of water displaced. Irrelevant to credentials.

Always use gross tonnage from the Certificate of Documentation or Inspection.

• Initial Review: NMC checks all forms are present. Missing items reset the clock.
• Sea Service Calculation: Evaluator counts days, verifies vessels, confirms water types.
• Discrepancies: If your log doesn't match employer's letter, you'll need to clarify.
• Processing: 8–16 weeks during peak. Incomplete apps take longer.

Submit clean, complete, consistent documentation the first time.