Crew training upgrade for cruise ships with 13+ passengers
Published Date: 9/25/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting October 26, 2026, crew members on U.S.-flagged passenger ships carrying more than 12 passengers on international trips must complete new emergency and crowd management training. This rule helps keep everyone safer at sea by making sure the crew knows exactly what to do in emergencies. If you work on these ships, get ready for updated training that boosts safety without extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory emergency familiarization before assignment
If you serve on a U.S.-flagged passenger ship that carries more than 12 passengers on an international voyage, you must complete passenger ship emergency familiarization appropriate to your duties before being assigned to shipboard work. This familiarization does not require Coast Guard approval, and mariners or vessel operators must keep documentary evidence that personnel completed it. Port State Control officers or Coast Guard inspectors may ask to see that evidence.
Crowd management training expands to ratings
Crowd management training is now required not only for masters, officers, and muster-list personnel but also for ratings qualified under Chapters II, III, and VII of the STCW Convention on U.S.-flagged passenger ships carrying more than 12 passengers on international voyages. Crowd management courses must be Coast Guard approved or accepted.
Safety training for passenger-facing personnel
Personnel (including officers) who provide direct service to passengers must complete passenger ship safety training that covers communication with passengers, life‑saving appliances, demonstrating use of personal life-saving equipment, embarkation procedures, and attention to disabled persons. This training does not require Coast Guard approval and may be conducted on board or ashore; documentary evidence must be maintained.
Crisis management & human behavior training required
Personnel designated on muster lists with responsibility for passenger safety in emergencies must complete approved or accepted training in crisis management and human behavior in accordance with Coast Guard rules (46 CFR part 10, subpart D). Documentary evidence of completion must be held.
Ro‑ro passenger ship safety and cargo training
Personnel assigned immediate responsibility for embarking/disembarking passengers, loading/discharging/securing cargo, or closing hull openings on roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) passenger ships must complete approved or accepted training in passenger safety, cargo safety, and hull integrity. Required topics include carriage of dangerous goods, cargo-securing practices (CSS Code), stability and trim calculations, and procedures for opening/closing hull openings and monitoring ro-ro atmospheres.
Industry compliance cost estimates
The Coast Guard estimates operating companies of U.S.-flagged passenger ships will incur undiscounted average annual costs of about $379,253 (2023 dollars) for passenger ship emergency familiarization, and ratings will incur undiscounted average annual costs of $22,104 (2023 dollars) for crowd management training. The rule's total annualized costs are about $403,486, and total costs are $3,624,350 (discounted at 2% over a 10-year analysis), all in 2023 dollars.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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