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USCG-ENG-LTD-L1.4

The horsepower limitation — 46 CFR 11.503(b)

Tonnage caps the Limited grades at 1,600 GRT. Horsepower is a second, entirely separate fence, and it is drawn around you personally, by a calculation performed on the ships you actually served on.

Entry & progression

The horsepower limit on your ticket is calculated from your service, not chosen from a menu. "Unlimited" is an outcome of the formula, not a separate credential. The formula does not apply to DDE — 11.503(a) carves it out.

The formula — 11.503(b), verbatim

The horsepower limitation is a formula, not a choice

NOTE — 46 CFR 11.503(b) "When an applicant for an original or raise of grade of an engineer endorsement, other than a DDE, has not obtained at least 50 percent of the required experience on vessels of 4,000 HP/3,000 kW or more, a propulsion power limitation is placed on the MMC based on the applicant's qualifying experience. The endorsement is limited to the maximum propulsion power on which at least 25 percent of the required experience was obtained, or 150 percent of the maximum propulsion power on which at least 50 percent of the service was obtained, whichever is higher. Limitations are in multiples of 1,000 HP/750 kW, using the next higher figure when an intermediate horsepower is calculated. When the limitation as calculated equals or exceeds 10,000 HP/7,500 kW, an unlimited propulsion power endorsement is issued."

How to read it

  1. The trigger. Did at least 50% of your qualifying service happen on vessels of 4,000 HP / 3,000 kW or more? If yes, no limitation is placed. If no, the formula runs.
  2. Branch one. Find the maximum propulsion power on which at least 25% of your required experience was obtained.
  3. Branch two. Find the maximum propulsion power on which at least 50% of your service was obtained, and take 150% of it.
  4. Take whichever is higher. That is your number.
  5. Round up to the next multiple of 1,000 HP / 750 kW.
  6. If the result reaches 10,000 HP / 7,500 kW, the endorsement is issued unlimited.

11.503(a) tells you what to measure: the total shaft propulsion power of each vessel on which you have served.

Propulsion power excludes your gensets

WARNING — Thrusters and auxiliaries do not count — 46 CFR 10.107 "Propulsion power means the total maximum continuous-rated output power of the main propulsion machinery of a vessel... and excludes thrusters and other auxiliary machinery."

A yacht with a large electrical plant, bow and stern thrusters and a room full of hydraulics can still sit well below the thresholds. The generators do not count. The thrusters do not count. Only the mains count.

And do not "correct" the Coast Guard's arithmetic. 46 CFR 10.107 defines a kilowatt as 1⅓ horsepower, so 3,000 kW is 4,000 HP by regulation. Quote the pairs as the CFR writes them: 1,000 HP / 750 kW; 4,000 HP / 3,000 kW; 10,000 HP / 7,500 kW.

Removing the limit — 11.503(c)

The limitation is not permanent. Service on vessels of 4,000 HP / 3,000 kW or more buys it off:

Service on vessels of 4,000 HP / 3,000 kW or more Effect
6 months in the highest grade endorsed All HP limits removed
6 months as an engineer officer in any capacity other than the highest grade Limits removed for that grade; the next higher grade raised to the HP of the vessel served on
12 months as Oiler or Junior Engineer while holding 3rd A/E or Assistant Engineer-Limited All HP limits removed on that endorsement
6 months as Oiler or Junior Engineer while holding 2nd A/E All HP limits removed on the 3rd A/E endorsement

And 11.503(d): the removal may be granted without further written examination if the Coast Guard considers an examination unnecessary.

TIP — Two of those rows are a rating job Look at row three. Twelve months as an Oiler or Junior Engineer — a QMED rating — while holding Assistant Engineer-Limited removes all horsepower limits from that endorsement. If the big-horsepower officer berth is not available to you, the big-horsepower rating berth may be. It counts.

Practice questions

5 questions
recallcore

recall · core

The propulsion-power limitation on an engineer endorsement is: (a) A fixed figure set by the grade applied for (b) Computed from the applicant's qualifying experience under the 11.503(b) formula (c) Chosen by the applicant on the application form (d) Always 4,000 HP unless the applicant requests otherwise

recallcore

recall · core

The 11.503(b) formula is triggered when the applicant has NOT obtained at least: (a) 25 percent of the required experience on vessels of 4,000 HP / 3,000 kW or more (b) 50 percent of the required experience on vessels of 10,000 HP / 7,500 kW or more (c) 6 months on vessels of 4,000 HP or more (d) 50 percent of the required experience on vessels of 4,000 HP / 3,000 kW or more

recallcore

recall · core

Where the calculated limitation equals or exceeds 10,000 HP / 7,500 kW, the Coast Guard: (a) Issues an unlimited propulsion power endorsement (b) Issues the endorsement limited to 10,000 HP (c) Requires an additional management-level examination (d) Rounds the figure down to 9,000 HP

recallcore

recall · core

In calculating propulsion power, a yacht's generators, bow thruster and hydraulic power packs are: (a) Excluded — 10.107 defines propulsion power as main propulsion machinery, excluding thrusters and other auxiliary machinery (b) Added to the main engines' output (c) Counted at 50 percent of their rating (d) Counted only if they can drive the shaft

recallcore

recall · core

Under 11.503(c), 12 months as an Oiler or Junior Engineer on vessels of 4,000 HP / 3,000 kW or more, while holding Assistant Engineer-Limited: (a) Has no effect on the horsepower limitation (b) Removes all horsepower limits on that endorsement (c) Raises the limit by 1,000 HP (d) Counts only toward a raise of grade, never toward removing a limit

AI-drafted catalogue content pending SME review. Sea service and examination requirements change; verify with the National Maritime Center before relying on this for a career decision.

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