97 STAT. 542 PUBLIC LAW 98-89 —AUG. 26, 1983 "Service on (1) "service on deck" means service in the deck department in deck." work related to the work usually performed on board vessels by able seamen and may include service on decked fishing vessels and on public vessels of the United States; (2) 360 days is equal to one year's service; and (3) a day is equal to 8 hours of labor or duty. (b) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to carry out this chapter. §7302. Issuing merchant mariners' documents and continuous discharge books (a) The Secretary shall issue a merchant mariner's document to an individual required to have that document under part F of this Post, p. 547. subtitle if the individual satisfies the requirements of this part. The document serves as a certificate of identification and as a certificate of service, specifying each rating in which the holder is qualified to serve on board vessels on which that document is required under part F. (b) The Secretary also may issue a continuous discharge book to an individual issued a merchant mariner's document if the individ- ual requests. §7303. Possession and description of merchant mariners' documents A merchant mariner's document shall be retained by the seaman to whom issued. The document shall contain the signature, nota- tions of nationality, age, and physical description, the photograph, the thumbprint, and the home address of the seaman. In addition, the document shall specify the rate or ratings in which the seaman ^ is qualified to serve. §7304. Citizenship notation on merchant mariners' documents An individual applying for a merchant mariner's document shall provide satisfactory proof that the individual is a citizen of the United States before that notation is made on the document. § 7305. Oaths for holders of merchant mariners' documents An applicant for a merchant mariner's document shall take, before issuahce of the document, an oath that the applicant will perform faithfully and honestly all the duties required by law, and will carry out the lawful orders of superior officers. § 7306. General requirements and classiHcations for able seamen (a) To qualify for an endorsement as able seaman authorized by this section, an applicant must provide satisfactory proof that the applicant— (1) is at least 18 years of age; (2) has the service required by the applicable section of this part; (3) is qualified professionally as demonstrated by an applica- ble examination or educational requirements; and (4) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical condition to perform the seaman's duties. (b) The classifications authorized for endorsement as able seaman are the following: (1) able seaman—unlimited. (2) able seaman—limited.
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