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  • Writer's pictureNate Gilman

What is recency for your USCG license?

For all original and raise of grade officer endorsements, you need 90 sea days in the last 3 years in the department you are applying for.


This means that you need to have 90 sea days in the last 3 years as part of your documentation when you are getting your first USCG Captain or Engineer license.


You also need to have 90 sea days in the last 3 years as part of your documentation when you are upgrading from 200GRT to 500/1600 GRT or Unlimited.



What size of vessels do I need for my 90 days of recency?


For deck officer endorsements up to 200 gross registered tons (GRT) (Master or Mate 25, 50, 100, and 200 GRT. OUPV)

There is no minimum tonnage required for your 90 days in the last 3 years.


Master or Mate 500 GRT

Your 90 days in the last 3 years must be on vessels larger than 50 GRT.


Master or Mate 1600 GRT

Your 90 days in the last 3 years must be on vessels larger than 100 GRT.


Master or Mate Unlimited Tonnage

Your 90 days in the last 3 years must be on vessels larger than 100 GRT

The largest tonnage of 45 days in the last 3 years is used for your tonnage limitation calculation. If you have 45 days or more on vessels larger than 1600 GRT then you meet the recency requirements for an unlimited tonnage license.


Towing officer endorsements (Master of Towing, Apprentice Mate (Steersman) Your 90 days in the last 3 years can be on any type or tonnage of vessel.



We hope this made your life a little easier and if you have other questions the MM-SEAS team is always here to help!


We do prefer to answer questions live with screen sharing to make both of our lives easier.


We hold free live virtual master classes Monday and Wednesday from 5:00 - 5:30 pm PT inside of mmseas.com under License Guidance and then Daily Master Classes.


Pro MM-SEAS members get access to our daily live master classes and office hours Monday thru Friday from 5:00 - 5:30 pm PT. You also get access to unlimited live 1 on 1 calls with one of our USCG Licensing Specialists. Pro MM-SEAS members can access these features inside of mmseas.com under License Guidance.

Need to renew, upgrade or get your first USCG license?
We're here to help.

Always Free | $299 if you file with us

(Includes pay.gov fees)

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