Tank Vessel-PIC › Tank Vessel-Assistant
Checked against 46 CFR 13.107, 13.120 and 13.401 · October 2026
The short answer
- Tank Vessel-Assistant (formerly Tankerman-Assistant) lets you carry out cargo duties assigned by the Person in Charge (PIC) of a transfer. You can't act as PIC. 46 CFR 13.107
- It's issued for a cargo category: Dangerous Liquids (DL), such as oil, fuels and chemicals, or Liquefied Gases (LG).
- To get it: be 18, hold a medical certificate, complete an approved firefighting course, and either an approved Tankship Familiarization course or 90 days of deck service on tankships plus an exam. 46 CFR 13.401
- It's a common first step toward Tank Vessel-PIC.
What it lets you do
As a Tank Vessel-Assistant you can perform cargo and cargo-equipment duties that the PIC assigns you, without the PIC standing over you. You must stay in continuous two-way voice contact with the PIC. You can't take charge of the transfer yourself. 46 CFR 13.107
| Endorsement | Can do | Can't do |
|---|---|---|
| Tank Vessel-Assistant | Cargo duties assigned by the PIC, in radio contact with the PIC | Act as PIC |
| Tank Barge-PIC | Act as PIC of liquid cargo transfers on tank barges | Act as PIC on tankships |
| Tank Vessel-PIC | Act as PIC of cargo, fuel oil transfers and tank cleaning on any tank vessel, for the cargo category endorsed |
Who needs it?
- Deck crew on tankships who take part in cargo work but don't run the transfer.
- Anyone heading for Tank Vessel-PIC who wants to start working cargo now.
- Mariners whose employer requires it for a tanker or tank barge job. Ask before you apply.
Who may not need it?
- Crew who never handle cargo, such as galley staff.
- Barge crews going straight for Tank Barge-PIC, which has its own service and transfer requirements. Tank Barge-PIC requirements →
- Shore-side terminal staff. Terminal persons in charge are qualified by the facility, not through an MMC endorsement.
Requirements
For an original Tank Vessel-Assistant endorsement (DL or LG): 46 CFR 13.401
- At least 18 years old
- A Coast Guard medical certificate and drug-test compliance
- An approved firefighting course completed within the past 5 years
- Either an approved Tankship Familiarization course (DL or LG) completed within the past 5 years, or at least 90 days of deck service on tankships or self-propelled tank vessels certified for that cargo category, plus a passed professional exam
- Able to speak and understand, in English, the instructions needed to start, run and finish a cargo transfer
The course
Most new applicants take the Tankship Familiarization course (sometimes called Tankerman-Assistant) for their cargo category, plus an approved firefighting course. Expect cargo properties and hazards, transfer procedures, pollution prevention and emergency response. Many schools combine Tankship Familiarization with the STCW Basic Oil and Chemical Tanker course, which is a separate STCW endorsement. Check that the course is approved for exactly what you need. How to check a course → Find course dates →
What happens after
- Apply through Navita with your course certificates, medical certificate and drug-test record. Navita →
- Once the endorsement is on your MMC, start logging every cargo transfer you take part in: date, terminal, cargo, load or discharge, and whether you did the start or the finish. You'll need those details for PIC. Download the printable Cargo Transfer Log (PDF) →
- Renew every 5 years: at least 90 days of service on a tank vessel in the past 5 years, or an approved Tankship course for your category. 46 CFR 13.120
- Move up to Tank Vessel-PIC when you have the tankship service and the 10 transfers it requires. Tank Vessel-PIC: the quick guide →
Common mistakes
- Thinking Assistant lets you run a transfer. It doesn't. Only a PIC can.
- Getting DL when the job carries LG, or the reverse. They're separate categories.
- Confusing the national endorsement with STCW tanker endorsements. Deep-sea tankers may need both. National vs. STCW →
- Not keeping a transfer log from day one, then struggling to document 10 transfers for PIC.
- Letting course certificates go stale. The firefighting and familiarization courses must be within 5 years of your application.
As an assistant, every transfer is your classroom. Watch how the PIC runs the pre-transfer conference, the checks, the start and the finish, and write down every one you're part of. That notebook is your road to PIC.
Official sources
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