§ 12.05-9 - Examination and demonstration of ability.

(a) Before an applicant is issued an endorsement as an able seaman, he or she shall prove to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard by oral or other means of examination, and by actual demonstration, his or her knowledge of seamanship and the ability to carry out effectively all the duties that may be required of an able seaman, including those of a lifeboatman. The applicant shall demonstrate that he or she:

(1) Has been trained in all the operations connected with the launching of lifeboats and liferafts, and in the use of oars;

(2) Is acquainted with the practical handling of boats; and

(3) Is capable of taking command of the boat's crew.

(b) The examination, whether administered orally or by other means, must be conducted only in the English language and must consist of questions regarding:

(1) Lifeboats and liferafts, the names of their essential parts, and a description of the required equipment;

(2) The clearing away, swinging out, and lowering of lifeboats and liferafts, and handling of lifeboats under oars and sails, including questions relative to the proper handling of a boat in a heavy sea;

(3) The operation and functions of commonly used types of davits;

(4) The applicant's knowledge of nautical terms; boxing the compass, either by degrees or points according to his experience; running lights, passing signals, and fog signals for vessels on the high seas, in inland waters, or on the Great Lakes depending upon the waters on which the applicant has had service; and distress signals; and,

(5) The applicant's knowledge of commands in handling the wheel by obeying orders passed to him as wheelsman, and knowledge of the use of engineroom telegraph or bell-pull signals.

(c) In the actual demonstration, the applicant shall show his ability by taking command of a boat and directing the operation of clearing away, swinging out, lowering the boat into the water, and acting as coxswain in charge of the boat under oars. He shall demonstrate his ability to row by actually pulling an oar in the boat. He shall also demonstrate knowledge of the principal knots, bends, splices, and hitches in common use by actually making them.

(d) The applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, his knowledge of pollution laws and regulations, procedures for discharge containment and cleanup, and methods for disposal of sludge and waste material from cargo and fueling operations.

(e) Any person who holds a valid MMC or MMD endorsed as able seaman, any waters-12 months and who can produce documentary evidence of sufficient service to qualify for an endorsement as able seaman, any waters-unlimited, may be issued a new MMC bearing this endorsement without additional professional examination. The applicant shall surrender for cancellation the credential bearing the limited endorsement. No physical examination will be required at the time of this exchange unless it is found that the applicant obviously suffers from some physical or mental infirmity to a degree that in the opinion of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, would render him incompetent to perform the usual duties of an able seaman at sea. If such condition is believed to exist, the applicant shall be required to undergo an examination to determine his competency as set forth in §10.215 of this chapter.

[CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 71-161R, 37 FR 28263, Dec. 21, 1972; CGD 94-029, 61 FR 47064, Sept. 6, 1996; USCG-2002-13058, 67 FR 61278, Sept. 30, 2002; USCG-2004-18884, 69 FR 58343, Sept. 30, 2004; USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11256, Mar. 16, 2009]