republic-os/legal/us/code/title-46/chapter-81/section-8101.md

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LegalText	46 U.S.C. § 8101	Complement of inspected vessels	us	united_states_code	code_section	46	SHIPPING	81	GENERAL	8101	46 U.S.C. § 8101	current	119-100	2026-06-26	official	https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc46@119-100.zip	/us/usc/t46/s8101	data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml	a8ccda1c03116c4767bff91cc4a5f93c52d47281080bf8c55abb2b1027b50221	eb1331aa3c08ed87231a3606d86b30d1b5942cdf8542f6a3df8ac1d66e86057f	d09a11978b38528a95ddd2ca232a90232a9bbb0778ec66914ed3ca96eac0e809	2026-07-04	official	legal us-code

46 U.S.C. § 8101 - Complement of inspected vessels

Text

(a) The certificate of inspection issued to a vessel under part B of this subtitle shall state the complement of licensed individuals and crew (including lifeboatmen) considered by the Secretary to be necessary for safe operation. A manning requirement imposed on—

(1) a sailing school vessel shall consider the participation of sailing school instructors and sailing school students in the operation of that vessel;

(2) a mobile offshore drilling unit shall consider the specialized nature of the unit; and

(3) a tank vessel shall consider the navigation, cargo handling, and maintenance functions of that vessel for protection of life, property, and the environment.

(b) The Secretary may modify the complement, by endorsement on the certificate, for reasons of changed conditions or employment.

(c) A requirement made under this section by an authorized official may be appealed to the Secretary under prescribed regulations.

(d) A vessel to which this section applies may not be operated without having in its service the complement required in the certificate of inspection.

(e) When a vessel is deprived of the service of a member of its complement without the consent, fault, or collusion of the owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of the vessel, the master shall engage, if obtainable, a number of members equal to the number of those of whose services the master has been deprived. The replacements must be of the same or a higher grade or rating than those whose places they fill. If the master finds the vessel is sufficiently manned for the voyage, and replacements are not available to fill all the vacancies, the vessel may proceed on its voyage. Within 12 hours after the vessel arrives at its destination, the master shall report in writing to the Secretary the cause of each deficiency in the complement. A master failing to make the report is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of $1,000 for each deficiency.

(f) The owner, charterer, or managing operator of a vessel not manned as required by this section is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of $10,000.

(g) A person may not employ an individual as, and an individual may not serve as, a master, mate, engineer, radio officer, or pilot of a vessel to which this part applies or which is subject to inspection under chapter 33 of this title if the individual is not licensed by the Secretary. A person (including an individual) violating this subsection is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense.

(h) The owner, charterer, or managing operator of a freight vessel of less than 100 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title, a small passenger vessel, or a sailing school vessel not manned as required by this section is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of $1,000. The vessel also is liable in rem for the penalty.

(i) When the 2 next most senior licensed officers on a vessel reasonably believe that the master or individual in charge of the vessel is under the influence of alcohol or a dangerous drug and is incapable of commanding the vessel, the next most senior master, mate, or operator licensed under section 7101(c)(1) or (3) of this title shall—

(1) temporarily relieve the master or individual in charge;

(2) temporarily take command of the vessel;

(3) in the case of a vessel required to have a log under chapter 113 of this title, immediately enter the details of the incident in the log; and

(4) report those details to the Secretary—

(A) by the most expeditious means available; and

(B) in written form transmitted within 12 hours after the vessel arrives at its next port.

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 547; Pub. L. 98–557, § 29(b), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2873; Pub. L. 99–640, § 11(b), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3550; Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, §§ 4104, 4114(c), 4302(e), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 511, 517, 538; Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 725, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3939.)

Notes

Historical and Revision Notes Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 810146:22246:22446:446d Section 8101 provides for the required composition of the complement of licensed individuals and crew of an inspected vessel when being operated. Subsection (a) requires that the certificate of inspection for a vessel state the manning necessary for safe navigation. Manning means the complement of licensed officers and crew (including lifeboatmen). Any manning requirements for sailing school vessels shall take into account the participation of sailing school instructors and sailing school students in the operation of those vessels. Subsection (b) permits the Secretary to modify the manning requirements for reasons of changed conditions or employment. Subsection (c) permits an appeal to the Secretary of any manning requirements made by an authorized official. Subsection (d) prohibits the operation of a vessel without the manning required in the vessel’s certificate of inspection. When a vessel has a vacancy in the manning required by its certificate of inspection without the consent, fault, or collusion of anyone responsible for the management or operation of the vessel, subsection (e) requires that the master hire replacements, if possible, in the same or higher grade or rating. However, if the master finds the vessel sufficiently manned and replacements are not available, the vessel may proceed on its voyage. Within 12 hours of arrival at its destination, the master is required to file a written report with the Secretary stating the cause of each deficiency or be liable for a civil penalty. The report of deficiency should include both the reason for the vacancy in the first instance and the reason for the unavailability of a qualified replacement. Subsections (f), (g) and (h) prescribe civil penalties for noncompliance with manning requirements. Subsection (g) also prohibits the employment or service of an individual in a licensed capacity who is not licensed by the Secretary.

Editorial Notes

Amendments1996—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 104–324 inserted “as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title” after “100 gross tons”. 1990—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4114(c), added par. (3). Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4302(e)(1), substituted “$1,000” for “$50”. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4302(e)(2), substituted “$10,000” for “$100, or, for a deficiency of a licensed individual, a penalty of $500”. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4302(e)(3), substituted “$10,000” for “$500”. Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4104, added subsec. (i). 1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–640 amended subsec. (a) generally, inserting cl. (1) designation before “a sailing school” and adding cl. (2). 1984—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 98–557 substituted provisions relating to inspection under chapter 33 of this title, for provisions relating to applicability of part B of this subtitle.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L. 101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section 2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.