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  • Writer's pictureNate Gilman

What is the difference between Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman - Limited?

Lifeboatman is for vessels equipped with lifeboats as well as liferafts, rescue boats, and other survival equipment while Lifeboatman - Limited is for vessels that only have liferafts, rescue boats, and other survival equipment.


According to 46 CFR 10.107:



This means that if you are going to work on a vessel that has lifeboats such as the ones below you need to hold a Lifeboatman.

If you are working on vessels that only have liferafts, rescue boats, and other survival equipment then you only need Lifeboatman - Limited.


We recommend checking with your employer on what type of Lifeboatman they need you to have.


How many sea days in the deck department do I need for my Lifeboatman?


The sea service requirements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman - Limited are dependant on if you've taken an USCG approved Course.

USCG Approved Course?

Sea Days Required

With a USCG Approved Lifeboatman or Lifeboatman - Limited Course

180 Sea Days in any department on any vessel on any waters

No USCG Approved Course

360 Sea Days in any department on any vessel on any waters


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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