
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 46USC7306]

 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
                     Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen
 
      Part E--Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and Documents
 
                CHAPTER 73--MERCHANT MARINERS' DOCUMENTS
 
Sec. 7306. General requirements and classifications for able 
        seamen
        
    (a) To qualify for an endorsement as able seaman authorized by this 
section, an applicant must provide satisfactory proof that the 
applicant--
        (1) is at least 18 years of age;
        (2) has the service required by the applicable section of this 
    part;
        (3) is qualified professionally as demonstrated by an applicable 
    examination or educational requirements; and
        (4) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical condition to 
    perform the seaman's duties.

    (b) The classifications authorized for endorsement as able seaman 
are the following:
        (1) able seaman--unlimited.
        (2) able seaman--limited.
        (3) able seaman--special.
        (4) able seaman--offshore supply vessels.
        (5) able seaman--sail.
        (6) able seaman--fishing industry.

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542; Pub. L. 98-364, title IV, 
Sec. 402(9)(C), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 448.)

                      Historical and Revision Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Revised section                Source section (U.S. Code)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7306..............................  46:672(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 7306(a) establishes the minimum requirements an individual 
must meet before being issued a merchant mariner's document endorsed for 
able seamen.
    Subsection (b) establishes the classifications of able seamen--
unlimited, able seamen--limited, able seamen--special, able seamen--
offshore supply vessels, and able seamen--sail.


                               Amendments

    1984--Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 98-364 added par. (6).


                             Effective Date

    Provisions of this section (related to able seaman--sail) effective 
Apr. 15, 1984, see section 2(g)(1) of Pub. L. 98-89, set out as a note 
under section 3101 of this title.


    Acceptance of Certain Services Toward Endorsement as Able Seaman

    Pub. L. 101-595, title VI, Sec. 602(e)(3), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 
2992, provided that: ``For the purposes of chapter 73 of title 46, 
United States Code, the Secretary of Transportation shall accept the 
service used by an individual to qualify for an endorsement as able 
seaman--fishing industry as qualifying service toward an endorsement as 
an able seaman--
        ``(A) under sections 7307 and 7309 of that title; or
        ``(B) if the service is on board a vessel of at least 100 gross 
    tons, under section 7308 of that title.''
