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46 U.S.C. § 8702 — Certain crew requirements
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** This section applies to a vessel of at least 100 gross tons as measured under [section 14502 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14502&num=0&edition=prelim), or an alternate tonnage measured under [section 14302 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14302&num=0&edition=prelim) as prescribed by the Secretary under [section 14104 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14104&num=0&edition=prelim) except—
(1) a vessel operating only on rivers and lakes (except the Great Lakes);
(2) a barge (except a seagoing barge or a barge to which chapter 37 of this title applies);
(3) a fishing, fish tender, or whaling vessel (except a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade) or a yacht;
(4) a sailing school vessel with respect to sailing school instructors and sailing school students;
(5) an oceanographic research vessel with respect to scientific personnel;
(6) a fish processing vessel entered into service before January 1, 1988, and not more than 1,600 gross tons as measured under [section 14502 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14502&num=0&edition=prelim), or an alternate tonnage measured under [section 14302 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14302&num=0&edition=prelim) as prescribed by the Secretary under [section 14104 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14104&num=0&edition=prelim) or entered into service after December 31, 1987, and having not more than 16 individuals on board primarily employed in the preparation of fish or fish prod
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Stable record: federal_law:legal_authorities:record_usc_a612ce733feb7bb977c1cc72
Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-46/section-8702-certain-crew-requirements--5f528a4d08.md
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Source location: Title 46, Chapter 87, § 8702; chapter-087-unlicensed-personnel.md
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**(a)** This section applies to a vessel of at least 100 gross tons as measured under [section 14502 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14502&num=0&edition=prelim), or an alternate tonnage measured under [section 14302 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14302&num=0&edition=prelim) as prescribed by the Secretary under [section 14104 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14104&num=0&edition=prelim) except—
(1) a vessel operating only on rivers and lakes (except the Great Lakes);
(2) a barge (except a seagoing barge or a barge to which chapter 37 of this title applies);
(3) a fishing, fish tender, or whaling vessel (except a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade) or a yacht;
(4) a sailing school vessel with respect to sailing school instructors and sailing school students;
(5) an oceanographic research vessel with respect to scientific personnel;
(6) a fish processing vessel entered into service before January 1, 1988, and not more than 1,600 gross tons as measured under [section 14502 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14502&num=0&edition=prelim), or an alternate tonnage measured under [section 14302 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14302&num=0&edition=prelim) as prescribed by the Secretary under [section 14104 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14104&num=0&edition=prelim) or entered into service after December 31, 1987, and having not more than 16 individuals on board primarily employed in the preparation of fish or fish products; and
(7) a fish processing vessel (except a vessel to which clause (6) of this subsection applies) with respect to individuals on board primarily employed in the preparation of fish or fish products or in a support position not related to navigation.
**(b)** A vessel may operate only if at least—
(1) 75 percent of the crew in each department on board is able to understand any order spoken by the officers, and
(2) 65 percent of the deck crew (excluding licensed individuals) have merchant mariners’ documents endorsed for a rating of at least able seaman, except that this percentage may be reduced to 50 percent—
(i) on a vessel permitted under [section 8104 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section8104&num=0&edition=prelim) to maintain a 2-watch system; or
(ii) on a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade.
**(c)** An able seaman is not required on a towing vessel operating on bays and sounds connected directly with the seas.
**(d)** An individual having a rating of less than able seaman may not be permitted at the wheel in ports, harbors, and other waters subject to congested vessel traffic, or under conditions of reduced visibility, adverse weather, or other hazardous circumstances.
**(e)** The owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel operated in violation of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of $10,000.
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** A vessel is not excluded from one category only because the vessel is—
(1) included in another category of [section 3301 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section3301&num=0&edition=prelim); or
(2) excluded by this section from another category of [section 3301 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section3301&num=0&edition=prelim).
**(b)** Except as provided in subsection (c)(3) of this section, a fishing vessel, including a vessel chartered part-time as a fish tender vessel, is exempt from section 3301(1), (7), (11), and (12) of this title.
**(c)**
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a fish processing vessel of not more than 5,000 gross tons as measured under [section 14502 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14502&num=0&edition=prelim), or an alternate tonnage measured under [section 14302 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14302&num=0&edition=prelim) as prescribed by the Secretary under [section 14104 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14104&num=0&edition=prelim) is exempt from section 3301(1), (6), (7), (11), and (12) of this title.
(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, the following fish tender vessels are exempt from section 3301(1), (6), (7), (11), and (12) of this title:
(A) A vessel of not more than 500 gross tons as measured under [section 14502 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14502&num=0&edition=prelim) or an alternate tonnage measured under [section 14302 of this title](h
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 3302
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** The Secretary shall measure a vessel to which this chapter applies in the way provided by this chapter and the Convention.
**(b)** A vessel measured under this chapter may not be required to be measured under another law.
**(c)** Unless otherwise provided by law, the measurement of a vessel under this chapter applies to a law of the United States whose applicability depends on a vessel’s tonnage, if that law—
(1) becomes effective after July 18, 1994; or
(2) is in effect before July 19, 1994, is not enumerated in [section 14305 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14305&num=0&edition=prelim), and is identified by the Secretary by regulation as a law to which this chapter applies.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 14302
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
For the purposes of this Act, the term—
(1) “act of God” means an unanticipated grave natural disaster or other natural phenomenon of an exceptional, inevitable, and irresistible character the effects of which could not have been prevented or avoided by the exercise of due care or foresight;
(2) “barrel” means 42 United States gallons at 60 degrees fahrenheit;
(3) “claim” means a request, made in writing for a sum certain, for compensation for damages or removal costs resulting from an incident;
(4) “claimant” means any person or government who presents a claim for compensation under this subchapter;
(5) “damages” means damages specified in [section 2702(b) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title33-section2702/b&num=0&edition=prelim), and includes the cost of assessing these damages;
(6) “deepwater port” is a facility licensed under the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 ([33 U.S.C. 1501–152](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title33-section1501–152&num=0&edition=prelim)4);
(7) “discharge” means any emission (other than natural seepage), intentional or unintentional, and includes, but is not limited to, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping;
(8) “exclusive economic zone” means the zone established by Presidential Proclamation Numbered 5030, dated March 10, 1983, including the ocean waters of the areas referred to as “eastern special areas” in Article 3(1) of the Agreement between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Maritime Boundary, signed June 1, 1990;
(9) “facility” means any structure, group of structures, equipment, or device (other than a vessel) which is used for one or more of the following purposes: exploring for, drill
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 33 U.S.C. § 2701
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
The Secretary shall measure a vessel to which this chapter applies in the way provided by this chapter.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 14502
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** The Secretary shall prescribe regulations which require that each vessel to which this chapter applies shall be equipped with—
(1) readily accessible fire extinguishers capable of promptly and effectively extinguishing a flammable or combustible liquid fuel fire;
(2) at least one readily accessible life preserver or other lifesaving device for each individual on board;
(3) an efficient flame arrestor, backfire trap, or other similar device on the carburetors of each inboard engine which uses gasoline as fuel;
(4) the means to properly and efficiently ventilate enclosed spaces, including engine and fuel tank compartments, so as to remove explosive or flammable gases;
(5) visual distress signals;
(6) other equipment required to minimize the risk of injury to the crew during vessel operations, if the Secretary determines that a risk of serious injury exists that can be eliminated or mitigated by that equipment; and
(7) a placard as required by regulations prescribed under [section 10603(b) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section10603/b&num=0&edition=prelim).
**(b)**
(1) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations requiring the installation, maintenance, and use of the equipment in paragraph (2) of this subsection for vessels to which this chapter applies that—
(A) operate beyond 3 nautical miles from the baseline from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured or beyond 3 nautical miles from the coastline of the Great Lakes;
(B) operate with more than 16 individuals on board; or
(C) in the case of a fish tender vessel, engage in the Aleutian trade.
(2) The equipment to be required is as follows:
(A) alerting and
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 4502
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** When the application of a law of the United States to a vessel depends on the vessel’s tonnage, the vessel shall be measured under this part.
**(b)** If a statute allows for an alternate tonnage to be prescribed under this section, the Secretary may prescribe it by regulation. Any such regulation shall be considered to be an interpretive regulation for purposes of [section 553 of title 5](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section553&num=0&edition=prelim). Until an alternate tonnage is prescribed, the statutorily established tonnage shall apply to vessels measured under chapter 143 or chapter 145 of this title.
**(c)** The head of each Federal agency shall ensure that regulations issued by the agency that specify particular tonnages comply with the alternate tonnages implemented by the Secretary.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 14104
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** An owner, charterer, managing operator, master, individual in charge, or other person having authority may permit an officer to take charge of the deck watch on a vessel when leaving or immediately after leaving port only if the officer has been off duty for at least 6 hours within the 12 hours immediately before the time of leaving.
**(b)** On an oceangoing or coastwise vessel of not more than 100 gross tons as measured under [section 14502 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14502&num=0&edition=prelim), or an alternate tonnage measured under [section 14302 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14302&num=0&edition=prelim) as prescribed by the Secretary under [section 14104 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section14104&num=0&edition=prelim) (except a fishing, fish processing, or fish tender vessel), a licensed individual may not be required to work more than 9 of 24 hours when in port, including the date of arrival, or more than 12 of 24 hours at sea, except in an emergency when life or property are endangered.
**(c)** On a towing vessel (except a towing vessel operated only for fishing, fish processing, fish tender, or engaged in salvage operations) operating on the Great Lakes, harbors of the Great Lakes, and connecting or tributary waters between Gary, Indiana, Duluth, Minnesota, Niagara Falls, New York, and Ogdensburg, New York, an individual in the deck or engine department may not be required to work more than 8 hours in one day or permitted to work more than 15 hours in any 24-hour period, or more than 36 hours in any 72-hour period, except in an emergency when life or property are endangered.
**
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 8104
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Page 165
TITLE 46—SHIPPING
§ 8702
under this part, the document must authorize
service in the capacity for which the holder of
the document is engaged or employed.
(c) On a vessel to which section 10306 or 10503
of this title does not apply, an individual re-
quired by this section to hold a merchant mari-
ner’s document must exhibit it to the master of
the vessel before the individual may be em-
ployed.
(d) A person (including an individual) vio-
lating this section is liable to the United States
Government for a civil penalty of $500.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 554; Pub. L.
98–364, title IV, § 402(12)(A), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat.
449; Pub. L. 99–640, § 11(c), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat.
3550; Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 731, title XI,
§ 1104(e), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3940, 3967; Pub. L.
107–295, title III, § 324(b), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat.
2104.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
Source section (U.S. Code)
8701 ..............................................
46:444
46:643
46:643a
46:672
Section 8701 requires an individual to have a mer-
chant mariner’s document before that individual can be
engaged or employed on certain vessels.
Subsection (a) makes this documentation require-
ment applicable to United States merchant vessels of
at least 100 gross tons except for certain inland vessels
and barges, fishing or whaling vessels, yachts, and, in
certain circumstances, to sailing school vessels or
oceanographic research vessels.
Subsection (b) prohibits the engagement or employ-
ment of an individual required to have a document pre-
scribed under section 7302 if the individual does not
have one. Except for licensed or registered individuals,
the document must specify the capacity in which the
individual is engaged or em
Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 46 U.S.C. § 8702
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