§8702 Certain Crew Requirements

Summary

Vessels of 100 gross tons or more (measured under the law or by an alternate measurement the Secretary sets) must meet certain crew rules. The rules do not apply to several kinds of vessels, including ones that only run on rivers and lakes (not the Great Lakes), most barges, fishing vessels (with some Aleutian-trade exceptions), yachts, sailing school vessels for instructors and students, oceanographic research vessels for scientific staff, some fish-processing vessels that entered service before January 1, 1988 and are not more than 1,600 gross tons or that entered service after December 31, 1987 with no more than 16 people preparing fish, and fish-processing vessels as to workers who mainly prepare fish or do non-navigation support jobs. A vessel may operate only if at least 75 percent of the crew in each department can understand any spoken order from the officers, and at least 65 percent of the deck crew (not counting licensed mariners) hold merchant mariner documents showing a rating of at least able seaman. That 65 percent may be lowered to 50 percent for vessels allowed a two-watch system or for fish tenders in the Aleutian trade. An able seaman is not required on towing vessels on bays and sounds directly connected to the sea. Anyone rated below able seaman may not steer in busy ports, in low visibility, bad weather, or other dangerous conditions. Owners, operators, agents, masters, or the person in charge who break these rules can be fined $10,000 by the United States.