46 USC § 7309 - Able seamen—special

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s7309"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 7309 - Able seamen—special"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "7309"
section_name: "Able seamen—special"
chapter_number: 73
chapter_name: "MERCHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS"
part_number: "E"
part_name: "Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and Documents"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 543; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(d)(4), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1754.)"
---


# 1 Able seamen—special

So in original. Probably should be “6 months’ ”.

[^1]

The required service for the endorsement of able seaman—special, qualified for special service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 6 months  service on deck on board vessels operating on the oceans or the navigable waters of the United States (including the Great Lakes).

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 543; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(d)(4), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1754.)

| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| --- | --- |
| 7309 | 46:672(b)(3) |

Section 7309 establishes the minimum service requirements for an individual to qualify as able seamen—special.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025—, which directed amendment of this section by substituting “6 months” for “12 months”, was executed by making the substitution for “12 months’ ” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Temporary Reduction of Lengths of Certain Periods of Service

Section to be applied by substituting “6 months” for “12 months” for the 3-year period beginning on , see , set out as a note under .

### Acceptance of Certain Services Toward Endorsement as Able Seaman

Service used to qualify for endorsement as able seaman—fishing industry to be accepted as qualifying service toward an endorsement under this section, see , set out as a note under .