Each applicant for an original tankerman-PIC endorsement must—

(a) Be at least 18 years old;

(b) Apply on a form provided by the Coast Guard;

(c) Present evidence of—

(1) Passing a physical and medical examination in accordance with § 13.125 of this part;

(2) Service on tankships in accordance with § 13.203 of this subpart;

(3) Completion of an approved firefighting course that provides training in the subjects listed in Table 3 to § 13.121(e) completed within 5 years of the date of application for the endorsement, unless he or she has previously submitted such a certificate for a license, tankerman endorsement, or officer endorsement on an MMC; and

(4) Completion of an approved course for Tankship: Dangerous Liquids or Tankship: Liquefied Gases appropriate to the endorsement applied for within the previous 5 years. A course certificate used for original issuance or renewal of an endorsement cannot be used for a subsequent renewal of the same endorsement; and

(d) Be capable of speaking and understanding, in English, all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a transfer of cargo, and be capable of reading and understanding the English language found in the Declaration of Inspection, vessel response plans, and Material Safety Data Sheet.

Each applicant for a tankerman-PIC endorsement for DL or LG must meet the requirements of either paragraphs (a) and (b) or paragraph (c) of this section.

(a) Each applicant must present evidence of—

(1) At least 90 days of service as a deck officer or an engineering officer on one or more tankships or self-propelled tank vessels certified to carry DL or LG appropriate to the endorsement applied for;

(2) At least 90 days of rating or cadet service on deck or in the engine department on one or more tankships or self-propelled tank vessels certified to carry DL or LG appropriate to the endorsement applied for; or

(3) A combination of the service in paragraphs (a) (1) and (2) of this section.

(b) Each applicant must present evidence of participation, under the supervision of a tankerman-PIC, in at least 10 transfers of liquid cargo in bulk of the classification desired on tankships or self-propelled tank vessels, including at least—

(1) Five loadings and five discharges;

(2) Two commencements of loading and two completions of loading; and

(3) Two commencements of discharge and two completions of discharge.

(c) Each applicant already holding an MMD or MMC endorsed tankerman-PIC for DL and seeking an endorsement for LG, or the converse, must—

(1) Provide evidence of at least half the service required by paragraph (a) of this section; and

(2) Comply with paragraph (b) of this section, except that he or she need provide evidence of only three loadings and three discharges along with evidence of compliance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this section.

Proof of service must be provided in a letter on company letterhead from the owner, operator, or master of the vessel on which the applicant obtained the service. The letter must contain the information described in § 13.127(a).