[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR10.101]

[Page 108-109]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 10_LICENSING OF MARITIME PERSONNEL--Table of Contents
 
                            Subpart A_General
 
Sec. 10.101  Purpose of regulations.


    (a) The purposes of the regulations in this part are to provide--
    (1) A comprehensive means of determining the qualifications an 
applicant must possess to be eligible for a license as a deck officer, 
engineer, pilot, radio officer, or radio operator on merchant vessels, 
or for a license to operate uninspected towing vessels or uninspected 
passenger vessels, or for a certificate of registry as a staff officer; 
and
    (2) A means of determining that an applicant is competent to serve 
as a master, chief mate, officer in charge of a navigational watch, 
chief engineer officer, second engineer officer (first assistant 
engineer), officer in charge of an engineering watch, designated duty 
engineer, or radio operator, in accordance with the provisions of the 
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and 
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 (STCW), and other 
laws, and to receive the appropriate certificate or endorsement as 
required by STCW.
    (b) With few exceptions, these regulations do not specify or 
restrict licenses to particular types of service such as tankships, 
freight vessels or passenger vessels. However, all licensed personnel 
shall become familiar with the relevant characteristics of each vessel 
prior to assuming their duties. As appropriate, these characteristics 
include but are not limited to: general arrangement of the vessel; 
maneuvering characteristics; proper operation of the installed 
navigation equipment; firefighting and lifesaving equipment; stability 
and loading characteristics; emergency duties; and main propulsion and 
auxiliary machinery, including steering gear systems and controls.
    (c) The regulations in subpart C of this part prescribe the 
requirements applicable to--
    (1) Each approved training course, if the training course is to be 
acceptable as a partial substitute for service or for a required 
examination, or as training required for a particular license or license 
endorsement; and

[[Page 109]]

    (2) All training and assessment associated with meeting the 
standards of competence established by STCW.

[CGD 81-059, 52 FR 38623, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by CGD 95-062, 62 FR 
34528, June 26, 1997]