---
kind: "range"
citation: "46 U.S.C. §§ 7307–7311a"
title: "46"
from: "7307"
to: "7311a"
count: 6
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/7307..7311a"
---

# §7307. Able seamen—unlimited


The required service for the endorsement of able seaman—unlimited, qualified for unlimited service on a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) on any waters, is at least 18 months[^1] [service on deck](/usc/46/7301.md?p=a-1) on board [vessels](/usc/46/115.md) operating at sea or on the Great Lakes.


# §7308. Able seamen—limited


The required service for the endorsement of able seaman—limited, qualified for limited service on a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) on any waters, is at least 12 months[^1] [service on deck](/usc/46/7301.md?p=a-1) on board [vessels](/usc/46/115.md) of at least 100 gross tons as measured under [section 14502 of this title](/usc/46/14502.md), or an alternate tonnage measured under [section 14302 of this title](/usc/46/14302.md) as prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) under [section 14104 of this title](/usc/46/14104.md) operating on the oceans or [navigable waters of the United States](/usc/46/2101.md?p=25) (including the Great Lakes).


# §7309. Able seamen—special


The required service for the endorsement of able seaman—special, qualified for special service on a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) on any waters, is at least 6 months[^1] [service on deck](/usc/46/7301.md?p=a-1) on board [vessels](/usc/46/115.md) operating on the oceans or the [navigable waters of the United States](/usc/46/2101.md?p=25) (including the Great Lakes).


# §7310. Able seamen—offshore supply vessels


For service on a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) of less than 500 gross tons as measured under [section 14502 of this title](/usc/46/14502.md), or an alternate tonnage measured under [section 14302 of this title](/usc/46/14302.md) as prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) under [section 14104 of this title](/usc/46/14104.md) engaged in support of exploration, exploitation, or production of offshore mineral or energy resources, an individual may be rated as able seaman—[offshore supply vessels](/usc/46/2101.md?p=27) if the individual has at least 6 months’ [service on deck](/usc/46/7301.md?p=a-1) on board [vessels](/usc/46/115.md) operating on the oceans or the [navigable waters of the United States](/usc/46/2101.md?p=25) (including the Great Lakes).


# §7311. Able seamen—sail


For service on a [sailing school vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=42) on any waters, an individual may be rated as able seaman—sail if the individual has at least 6 months’ [service on deck](/usc/46/7301.md?p=a-1) on [sailing school vessels](/usc/46/2101.md?p=42), [oceanographic research vessels](/usc/46/2101.md?p=26) powered primarily by sail, or equivalent sailing [vessels](/usc/46/115.md) operating on the oceans or [navigable waters of the United States](/usc/46/2101.md?p=25) (including the Great Lakes).


# §7311a. Able seamen—fishing industry


For service on a [fish processing vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=13), an individual may be rated as able seaman—fishing industry if the individual has at least 6 months’ [service on deck](/usc/46/7301.md?p=a-1) on board [vessels](/usc/46/115.md) operating on the oceans or the [navigable waters of the United States](/usc/46/2101.md?p=25) (including the Great Lakes).