The purpose of this part is to set forth uniform minimum requirements for the manning of vessels. In general, they implement, interpret, or apply the specific statutory manning requirements in title 46, U.S.C., implement various international conventions which affect merchant marine personnel, and provide the means for establishing the complement necessary for safe operation of vessels.

[CGD 81-059, 52 FR 38652, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 78000, Dec. 24, 2013]

(a) This section lists the control numbers assigned by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paper Reduction Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-511) for the reporting and recordkeeping requirements in this part.

(b) The following control numbers have been assigned to the sections indicated:

(1) OMB 1625-0079—46 CFR 15.1107.

(2) [Reserved]

[CGD 95-62, 62 FR 34538, June 26, 1997, as amended by USCG-2004-18884, 69 FR 58343, Sept. 30, 2004]

(a) Certain material is incorporated by reference into this part with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All approved material is available for inspection at the Coast Guard, Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing (CG-MMC), U.S. Coast Guard, Stop 7509, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593-7509, 202-372-1492, and is available from the sources listed below. It is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030 or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

(b) International Maritime Organization (IMO), 4 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7SR England:

(1) The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, 2011 (STCW Convention), incorporation by reference approved for §§ 15.403, 15.404, 15.1103, 15.1105, and 15.1109.

(2) The Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code, as amended, 2011 (STCW Code), incorporation by reference approved for § 15.1109.

(3) The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), approved for incorporation by reference in §§ 15.818 and 15.1103.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 78000, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2016-0315, 81 FR 43955, July 6, 2016]

(a) The regulations in this part apply to all vessels that are subject to the manning requirements contained in the navigation and shipping laws of the United States, including uninspected vessels (46 U.S.C. 7101-9308).

(b) The navigation and shipping laws state that a vessel may not be operated unless certain manning requirements are met. In addition to establishing a minimum number of officers and rated crew to be carried onboard certain vessels, they establish minimum qualifications concerning licenses and MMC endorsements, citizenship, and conditions of employment. It is the responsibility of the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or person in charge or in command of the vessel to ensure that appropriate personnel are carried to meet the requirements of the applicable navigation and shipping laws and regulations.

(c) Inspected vessels are issued a Certificate of Inspection (COI) which indicates the minimum complement of officers and crew (including lifeboatmen) considered necessary for safe operation. The COI complements the statutory requirements but does not supersede them.

(d) Uninspected vessels operating on an international voyage may be issued a safe manning certificate indicating the minimum complement of qualified mariners necessary for safe operation.

(e) The regulations in subpart K of this part apply to seagoing vessels subject to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW).

(f) Persons serving on any of the following vessels, or any owner or operator of any of these vessels, do not need to meet the requirements of subpart K of this part, because the vessels are exempt from application of STCW:

(1) Fishing vessels as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(12).

(2) Fishing vessels used as fish-tender vessels as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(14).

(3) Barges as defined in 46 U.S.C. 102, including non-self-propelled mobile offshore drilling units.

(4) Vessels operating exclusively on the Great Lakes or on the inland waters of the U.S. in the Straits of Juan de Fuca or on the Inside Passage between Puget Sound and Cape Spencer.

(5) Pilot vessels engaged on pilotage duty.

(g) Owners and operators, and personnel serving on the following small vessels engaged exclusively on domestic, near-coastal voyages are in compliance with subpart K of this part and are, therefore, not subject to further requirements for the purposes of the STCW Convention:

(1) Small passenger vessels subject to subchapter T or K of 46 CFR chapter I.

(2) Vessels of less than 200 GRT, other than passenger vessels subject to subchapter H of 46 CFR chapter I.

(3) Uninspected passenger vessels (UPVs) as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(42)(B).

(h) Personnel serving on vessels identified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this section may be issued, without additional proof of qualification, an appropriate STCW endorsement on their license or MMC when the Coast Guard determines that such an endorsement is necessary to enable the vessel to engage on a single international voyage of a non-routine nature. The STCW endorsement will be expressly limited to service on the vessel or the class of vessels and will not establish qualification for any other purpose.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 78000, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended at USCG-2021-0348, 87 FR 3223, Jan. 21, 2022]