[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of Octobery 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR15.810]

[Page 254-255]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 15_MANNING REQUIREMENTS--Table of Contents
 
                         Subpart G_Computations
 
Sec. 15.810  Mates.

    (a) The OCMI determines the minimum number of licensed mates 
required for the safe operation of inspected vessels.
    (b) The minimum number of licensed mates required to be carried on 
every inspected, self-propelled, seagoing and Great Lakes vessel, and 
every inspected, seagoing, passenger vessel must not be less than the 
following, except when reductions are authorized under paragraph (e) of 
this section:
    (1) Vessels of 1000 gross tons or more (except MODUs)--three 
licensed mates (except when on a voyage of less than 400 miles from port 
of departure to port of final destination--two licensed mates).
    (2) MODUs of 1000 gross tons or more:
    (i) Three licensed mates when on a voyage of more than 72 hours.
    (ii) Two licensed mates when on a voyage of more than 16 but not 
more than 72 hours.
    (iii) One licensed mate when on a voyage of not more than 16 hours.
    (3) Vessels of 100 or more gross tons but less than 1000 gross 
tons--two licensed mates (except vessels of at least 100 but less than 
200 gross tons on voyages which do not exceed 24 hours in duration--one 
licensed mate).
    (4) All offshore supply vessels of 100 gross tons or more--two 
licensed mates (except when on a voyage of less than 600 miles-one 
licensed mate). A voyage includes the accrued distance from port of 
departure to port of arrival and does not include stops at offshore 
points.
    (5) All vessels of less than 100 gross tons--one licensed mate 
(except vessels on voyages not exceeding 12 hours in duration may, if 
the OCMI determines it to be safe, be operated without licensed mates).
    (c) An individual in charge of the navigation or maneuvering of a 
self-propelled, uninspected, documented, seagoing vessel of 200 gross 
tons or over must hold an appropriate license authorizing service as 
mate.
    (d) Each person in charge of the navigation or maneuvering of a 
towing vessel of at least 8 meters (at least 26 feet) in length must 
hold a license authorizing service as either--
    (1) Mate (pilot) of towing vessels; or
    (2) Mate of inspected self-propelled vessels greater than 200 GRT 
within any other restrictions on the officer's license, holding either--
    (i) A completed Towing Officer's Assessment Record (TOAR) bearing 
the signature from a Designated Examiner and stating that the Examiner 
found the candidate proficient; or
    (ii) A license endorsed for towing vessels.
    (e) The OCMI may increase the minimum number of mates indicated in 
paragraph (b) of this section where he or she determines that the 
vessel's characteristics, route, or other operating conditions create 
special circumstances warranting an increase.

[[Page 255]]

    (f) The Commandant will consider reductions to the number of mates 
required by this section when special circumstances allowing a vessel to 
be safely operated can be demonstrated.

[CGD 81-059, 52 FR 38652, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by CGD 81-059, 54 FR 
149, Jan. 4, 1989; CGD 81-059a, 55 FR 14805, Apr. 18, 1990; USCG-1999-
6224, 64 FR 63235, Nov. 19, 1999; 66 FR 20944, Apr. 26, 2001]