(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section every vessel must be fitted with a suitable magnetic compass designed for marine use, to be mounted at the primary operating station.

(b) The following vessels need not be fitted with a compass:

(1) A vessel on a rivers route;

(2) A non-self propelled vessel; and

(3) A vessel operating on short restricted routes on lakes, bays, and sounds.

(c) Except on a vessel limited to daytime operations, the compass must be illuminated.

(a) A vessel must be fitted with a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) type accepted general marine radar system for surface navigation with a radar screen mounted at the primary operating station if:

(1) The vessel is self-propelled;

(2) The vessel has an oceans, coastwise, limited coastwise, or Great Lakes route; and

(3) The vessel carries more than 49 passengers.

(b) A ferry that carries more than 49 passengers on a rivers route not within one mile of land must be fitted with a FCC Type Accepted general marine radar system for surface navigation with a radar screen mounted at the primary operating station.

(c) The radar and its installation must be suitable for the intended speed and route of the vessel.

(d) A vessel operated on a short restricted route need not be fitted with a radar if the cognizant OCMI determines that a radar is not necessary due to the vessel's route and local weather conditions.

A vessel on an oceans route must be equipped with an electronic position fixing device, capable of providing accurate fixes for the area in which the vessel operates, to the satisfaction of the cognizant OCMI.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1002, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51358, Sept. 30, 1997]

(a) As appropriate for the intended voyage, a vessel must carry adequate and up-to-date:

(1) Charts of large enough scale to make safe navigation possible;

(2) U.S. Coast Pilot or similar publication;

(3) Coast Guard Light List;

(4) Tide tables; and

(5) Current tables, or a river current publication issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or a river authority.

(b) Extracts from the publications listed above for the areas to be transited may be provided instead of the complete publication.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1002, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51358, Sept. 30, 1997]