46 U.S.C. § 7307Section
§ 7307. Able seamen—unlimited
The required service for the endorsement of able seaman—unlimited, qualified for unlimited service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 3 years' 1 service on deck on board vessels operating at sea or on the Great Lakes.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 543.)