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!

MM-SEAS is free to use on your own and if you need some more personalized help you can upgrade to MM-SEAS Pro inside of the site.

No matter what, when you are ready to submit your application, you can choose to have the MM-SEAS staff create a perfect application, handle the USCG application fees and work with the USCG on your behalf to resolve any issues for a flat fee of $349 or you can choose to submit on your own.

Pro MM-SEAS members get access to unlimited live 1 on 1 calls with one of our USCG Licensing Specialists. We've found that answering questions live with screen sharing in a video call makes both of our lives easier. Pro MM-SEAS members can access these features inside of MM-SEAS under License Guidance.