Watchkeeping

(a) Vessel control systems and other miscellaneous systems and equipment required by this part must be suitable for the purposes intended.

(b) The cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) may require navigation, control, or communications equipment, in excess of the equipment specifically required by this part, on a vessel that is of a novel design, operates at high speeds in restricted or high traffic areas, operates in a dynamically supported mode, or operates on extended routes or in remote locations.

(a) An existing vessel need not comply with §§ 184.402(c), 184.404, 184.410, and 184.602 unless the cognizant OCMI specifically requires compliance due to the route or service of the vessel.

(b) An existing vessel need not comply with the requirements of § 184.610 until March 11, 2001, or 10 years after its keel was laid or the vessel was at a similar stage of construction, whichever is later.

(c) An existing vessel need not comply with the requirements of § 184.710 until March 11, 1997.

Cooking and heating equipment must be suitable for marine use. Equipment designed and installed in accordance with American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) A-3, “Galley Stoves,” and A-7, “Boat Heating Systems,” or with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 302, “Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft,” complies with this requirement, except as restricted by § 184.202 of this part.

(a) The use of gasoline for cooking, heating, or lighting is prohibited on all vessels.

(b) Fireplaces or other space heating equipment with open flames are prohibited from being used on all vessels.

(c) Vessels permitted to use liquefied and non-liquefied gases as cooking fuels by 46 CFR part 147 must meet the requirements in § 184.240 of this part. The use of these fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting on ferry vessels is prohibited by part 147 in subchapter N of this chapter.

(a) Each heater must be so constructed and installed as to prevent contact with combustible materials such as towels and clothing.

(b) Each electric space heater must be provided with a thermal cutout to prevent overheating.

(c) Each heater element of an electric space heater must be of an enclosed type, and the element case or jacket must be made of a corrosion resistant material.

(a) Doors on a cooking appliance must be provided with hinges and locking devices to prevent accidental opening in heavy seas.

(b) A cooking appliance must be installed to prevent movement in heavy seas.

(c) For a grill or similar type of cooking appliance, means must be provided to collect grease or fat and to prevent its spillage on wiring or the deck.

(d) Grab rails must be installed on a cooking appliance when determined by the cognizant OCMI to be necessary for safety.

(e) Sea rails, with suitable barriers to prevent accidental movement of cooking pots, must be installed on a cooking range.

(f) Electric connections for a cooking appliance must be dripproof.

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

Cooking systems using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) must meet the following requirements:

(a) The design, installation and testing of each LPG system must meet ABYC A-1, “Marine Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Systems,” Chapter 6 of NFPA 302, or other standard specified by the Commandant.

(b) The design, installation and testing of each CNG system must meet ABYC A-22, “Marine Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Systems,” Chapter 6 of NFPA 302, or other standard specified by the Commandant.

(c) Cooking systems using Chapter 6 of NFPA 302 as the standard must meet the following additional requirements:

(1) The storage or use of CNG containers within the accommodation area, machinery spaces, bilges, or other enclosed spaces is prohibited;

(2) LPG or CNG must be odorized in accordance with ABYC A-1 appendix 4 or A-22 appendix 4, respectively;

(3) The marking and mounting of LPG cylinders must be in accordance with ABYC A-1 appendix 7; and

(4) LPG cylinders must be of the vapor withdrawal type as specified in ABYC A-1 section 1.7.

(d) Continuous pilot lights or automatic glow plugs are prohibited for an LGP or CNG installation using ABYC A-1 or A-22 as the standard.

(e) CNG installation using ABYC A-22 as the standard must meet the following additional requirements:

(1) The storage or use of CNG containers within the accommodation area, machinery spaces, bilges, or other enclosed spaces is prohibited;

(2) CNG cylinders, regulating equipment, and safety equipment must meet the installation, stowage, and testing requirements of paragraph 6-5.12 of NFPA 302.

(3) The use or stowage of stoves with attached CNG cylinders is prohibited as specified in paragraph 6-5.1 of NFPA 302.

(f) If the fuel supply line of an LPG or CNG system enters an enclosed space on the vessel, a remote shutoff valve must be installed that can be operated from a position adjacent to the appliance. The valve must be located between the fuel tank and the point where the fuel supply line enters the enclosed portion of the vessel. A power operated valve installed to meet this requirement must be of a type that will fail closed.

(g) The following variances from ABYC A-1 section 1.12 are allowed for CNG:

(1) The storage locker or housing access opening need not be in the top.

(2) The locker or housing need not be above the waterline.

(h) The following variances from NFPA 302 are allowed:

(1) The storage locker or housing for CNG tank installations need not be above the waterline as required by paragraph 6-5.12.1.1(a);

(2) Ignition protection need not be provided as required by paragraph 6-5.4.

Note to § 184.240:

The ABYC and NFPA standards referenced in this section require the posting of placards containing safety precautions for gas cooking systems.

Amendment history: [CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1002, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by USCG-2000-7790, 65 FR 58465, Sept. 29, 2000]

(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.

Amendment history: [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.

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

(a) A vessel must have two independent means of controlling each propulsion engine. Control must be provided for the engine speed, direction of shaft rotation, and engine shutdown.

(1) One of the means may be the ability to readily disconnect the remote engine control linkage to permit local operation.

(2) A multiple engine vessel with independent remote propulsion control for each engine need not have a second means of controlling each engine.

(b) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (a), a vessel must have a reliable means for shutting down a propulsion engine, at the main pilothouse control station, which is independent of the engine's speed control.

(c) A propulsion engine control system, including pilothouse control, must be designed so that a loss of power to the control system does not result in an increase in shaft speed or propeller pitch.

A vessel must carry either a first-aid kit that meets the requirements in 46 CFR 199.175(b)(10) or a kit with equivalent contents and instructions. For equivalent kits, the contents must be stowed in a suitable, watertight container that is marked “First-Aid Kit”. A first-aid kit must be easily visible and readily available to the crew.

Amendment history: [USCG-2020-0107, 87 FR 68308, Nov. 14, 2022]

A vessel must be operated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and in such a manner as to afford adequate precaution against hazards that might endanger the vessel and the persons being transported.

(a) An existing vessel need not comply with the hull marking requirements in § 185.602(c) until completion of a vessel's first drydock required by § 176.600 of this subchapter, which occurs after March 11, 1996.

(b) An existing vessel need not comply with the marking requirement in §§ 185.604 and 185.610, where the size and contents of the markings required by these sections vary from the size and contents of required markings on lifesaving equipment, watertight doors, and watertight hatches on the vessel prior to March 11, 1996, until the existing markings are no longer legible as determined by the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI).

(c) An existing vessel need not comply with the requirements of §§ 185.514, 185.516, and 185.604(i) until completion of the first inspection for certification that occurs after March 11, 1996.

(d) The regulations in this part have preemptive effect over State or local regulations in the same field.

Amendment history: [CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996; 61 FR 24465, May 15, 1996, as amended by USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33892, June 7, 2012]

(a) The movement of vessel shall be under the direction and control of the master or a licensed mate at all times. The master shall operate the vessel keeping the safety of the passengers and crew foremost in mind by directing the vessel in order to prevent a casualty. Special attention should be paid to:

(1) The current(s) velocity and direction of the transiting area;

(2) Tidal state;

(3) Prevailing and forecasted visibility and environmental conditions, including wind and waves;

(4) Density of marine traffic;

(5) Potential damage caused by own wake;

(6) The danger of each closing visual or radar contact;

(7) Vessel's handling characteristics; and

(8) Magnetic variation and deviation errors of the compass.

(b) Masters of vessels not greater than 65 ft (19.8 m) in length must have means available, satisfactory to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), to obtain or monitor the latest marine broadcast in order to comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.

Amendment history: [CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51359, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2007-0030, 75 FR 78092, Dec. 14, 2010]

(a) After loading and prior to departure and at all other times necessary to assure the safety of the vessel, the master shall determine that the vessel complies with all applicable stability requirements in the vessel's trim and stability book, stability letter, Certificate of Inspection, and Load Line Certificate, as the case may be. The vessel may not depart until it is in compliance with these requirements.

(b) In order to fulfill the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and avoid overloading the vessel, the master must take into account the total weight of passengers, crew, and variable loads.

Amendment history: [CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by USCG-2007-0030, 75 FR 78092, Dec. 14, 2010]

The master of a vessel shall have examined and tested the steering gear, signaling whistle, propulsion controls, and communication systems of the vessel prior to getting underway for a voyage, except that such examination and testing need not be conducted more than once in any 24 hour period.

(a) Except when operating on lakes, bays, and sounds, or rivers routes in calm weather, all hatches and openings in the hull, except loading doors, of a vessel must be kept tightly closed except when being used.

(b) All watertight doors in subdivision bulkheads must be kept tightly closed during the navigation of the vessel except when being used for transit between compartments.

(a) Except as allowed by paragraph (b) of this section, the master of a vessel fitted with loading doors shall assure that all loading doors are closed and secured during the entire voyage.

(b) Loading doors, other than bow visors, may be opened when operating in protected or partially protected waters, provided the master of the vessel determines that the safety of the vessel is not impaired.

(c) For the purpose of this section, “loading doors” include all weathertight ramps, bow visors, and openings used to load personnel, equipment, and stores, in the collision bulkhead, the side shell, and the boundaries of enclosed superstructures that are continuous with the shell of the vessel.

Amendment history: [CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51359, Sept. 30, 1997]

(a) Automobiles or other vehicles must be stowed in such a manner as to permit both passengers and crew to get out and away from the vehicles freely in the event of fire or other disaster. The decks, where necessary, must be distinctly marked with painted lines to indicate the vehicle runways and the aisle spaces.

(b) The master shall take any necessary precautions to see that automobiles or other vehicles have their motors turned off and their emergency brakes set when the vessel is underway, and that the motors are not started until the vessel is secured to the landing. In addition, a vehicle at each end of a line of vehicles or next to a loading ramp must have its wheels securely blocked, while the vessel is being navigated.

(c) The master shall have appropriate “NO SMOKING” signs posted and shall take all necessary precautions to prevent smoking or carrying of lighted or smoldering pipes, cigars, cigarettes, or similar items in the deck area assigned to automobiles or other vehicles.

(d) The master shall, prior to getting underway, ensure that vehicles are properly distributed consistent with the guidance in the vessel's stability letter and Certificate of Inspection, if applicable.

A vessel must not take on fuel having a flash point of 43.3 °C (110 °F) or lower when passengers are on board.

The mechanical exhaust for the ventilation of a gasoline machinery space, required by § 182.460(a)(1)(ii) of this chapter, must be operated prior to starting gasoline engines for the time sufficient to insure at least one complete change of air in the space served.

A vessel that transports a hazardous material, listed in 49 CFR 172.101, in commerce shall ensure the material is handled and transported in accordance with 49 CFR parts 171 and 176.

Amendment history: [CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51359, Sept. 30, 1997]

Whenever an automatic pilot is used the master shall ensure that:

(a) It is possible to immediately establish manual control of the vessel's steering;

(b) A competent person is ready at all times to take over steering control; and

(c) The changeover from automatic to manual steering and vice versa is made by, or under the supervision of, the master or the mate on watch.

On vessels described by 46 CFR 175.110(c), flammable items not otherwise covered by the regulations of this subchapter, such as rechargeable batteries, including lithium ion batteries utilized for commercial purposes, must be handled, stored, and operated in a way that mitigates the risk of hazardous conditions.

Amendment history: [USCG-2021-0306,86 FR 73172, Dec. 27, 2021]

Each officer employed on any vessel subject to this subchapter must have his or her license or merchant mariner credential onboard and available for examination at all times when the vessel is operating.

Amendment history: [USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11267, Mar. 16, 2009]

(a) The owner, charterer, master, or managing operator of a vessel carrying overnight passengers shall have a suitable number of watchmen patrol throughout the vessel during the nighttime, whether or not the vessel is underway, to guard against, and give alarm in case of, a fire, man overboard, or other dangerous situation.

(b) Vessels described by 46 CFR 175.110(d) must submit plans to the cognizant OCMI, in accordance with 46 CFR 176.700, for the installation and use of monitoring device to ensure the wakefulness of the watchmen required in paragraph (a) of this section. Vessels with a keel laid date after March 28, 2022, must include plans for the monitoring device(s) within the plan submissions required in 46 CFR 177.202. The Coast Guard will work with the vessel operators to determine a reasonable implementation schedule once the plans are accepted. The monitoring device(s) must:

(1) Ensure the wakefulness of the crew in the event that the watchman required in paragraph (a) of this section is unresponsive;

(2) Remain operable during the nighttime watch; and

(3) Be arranged to ensure proper coverage of the passenger accommodation spaces, common areas, and spaces with potential fire hazards.

Amendment history: [CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51359, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2021-0306, 86 FR 73172, Dec. 27, 2021]

(a) The owner, charterer, master or managing operator shall instruct each crew member, upon first being employed and prior to getting underway for the first time on a particular vessel and at least once every three months, as to the duties that the crew member is expected to perform in an emergency including, but not limited to, the emergency instructions listed on the emergency instruction placard required by § 185.510 of this part and, when applicable, the duties listed in the station bill required by § 185.514 of this part.

(b) For a vessel described by 46 CFR 175.110(c), the training program in paragraph (a) of this section must address firefighting proficiency and must include, but need not be limited to—

(1) Training in the use and location of firefighting equipment and general firefighting knowledge, including:

(i) Location of firefighting appliances and emergency escape routes;

(ii) Types and sources of ignition;

(iii) Flammable materials, fire hazards and spread of fire;

(iv) The need for constant vigilance;

(v) Actions to be taken on board;

(vi) Fire and smoke detection and automatic systems on board; and

(vii) Classification of fire and applicable extinguishing agents.

(2) The drills required by § 185.524, including fire location and fire type; and

(3) Emergency egress training for each member of the crew, to occur for all members of the crew—

(i) At least monthly while such members are employed on board the vessels; and

(ii) Each time a crew member joins the crew of such vessel.

(c) Training conducted on a sister vessel may be considered equivalent to the initial, monthly, and quarterly training requirements contained in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(d) Crew training shall be logged or otherwise documented for review by the Coast Guard upon request. The training entry shall include the following information.

(1) Date of the training; and

(2) General description of the training topics.

Amendment history: [CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51359, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2021-0306, 86 FR 73173, Dec. 27, 2021]

(a) The owner, charterer, managing operator, or master of the following vessels must keep a correct list of the names of all persons that embark on and disembark from the vessel:

(1) A vessel making a coastwise or oceans voyage where:

(i) Passengers embark or disembark from the vessel to another vessel or port other than at the port of origin; or

(ii) Passengers are carried overnight;

(2) A vessel making a voyage of more than 300 miles on the Great Lakes, except from a Canadian to a United States port; and

(3) A vessel arriving from a foreign port, except at a United States Great Lakes port from a Canadian Great Lakes port.

(b) The master of a vessel required to prepare a crew and passenger list by paragraph (a) of this section shall see that the list is prepared prior to departing on a voyage. The list must be communicated verbally or in writing ashore at the vessel's normal berthing location or with a representative of the owner or managing operator of the vessel. The crew and passenger list shall be available to the Coast Guard upon request.

(a) The master of the following vessels shall prepare a voyage plan:

(1) A vessel making an oceans or coastwise voyage;

(2) A vessel making a voyage of more than 300 miles on the Great Lakes, except from a Canadian to a United States port;

(3) A vessel, with overnight accommodations for passengers, making an overnight voyage; and

(4) A vessel arriving from a foreign port, except at a United States Great Lakes port from a Canadian Great Lakes port.

(b) The voyage plan required by paragraph (a) of this section must be prepared prior to departing on a voyage and communicated verbally or in writing, ashore at the vessel's normal berthing location or with a representative of the owner or managing operator of the vessel. The voyage plan shall be available to the Coast Guard upon request.

The master of a vessel, except a vessel listed in § 185.502(a) of this part, shall keep a correct, written count of all passengers that embark on and disembark from the vessel. Prior to departing on a voyage, the passenger count must be communicated verbally or in writing, and available ashore at the vessel's normal berthing location or with a representative of the owner or managing operator of the vessel. The passenger count shall be available to the Coast Guard upon request.

Nothing in the emergency instructions or a station bill required by this subpart exempts any licensed individual from the exercise of good judgment in an emergency situation.