CFR > Title 46 - Shipping > CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER B—MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN (parts 10 to 16) > PART 15—MANNING REQUIREMENTS > SUBPART G—Computations (§15.801 to §15.860) > 15.810—Mates.

15.810—Mates.

(a) The OCMI determines the minimum number of mates required for the safe operation of inspected vessels.
(b) The minimum number of mariners holding a license or MMC officer endorsement as mate 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 mates (except when on a voyage of less than 400 miles from port of departure to port of final destination—two mates).
(2) MODUs of 1000 gross tons or more:
(i) Three mates when on a voyage of more than 72 hours.
(ii) Two mates when on a voyage of more than 16 but not more than 72 hours.
(iii) One 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 mates (except vessels of at least 100 but less than 200 gross tons on voyages which do not exceed 24 hours in duration—one mate).
(4) All offshore supply vessels of 100 gross tons or more—two mates (except when on a voyage of less than 600 miles—one 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 mate (except vessels on voyages not exceeding 12 hours in duration may, if the OCMI determines it to be safe, be operated without 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 or MMC 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 satisfy the requirements of § 15.805(a)(5) of this part or hold a license or MMC 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 or MMC, 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 or MMC with officer endorsement 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.
(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; USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11262, Mar. 16, 2009]