15.815—Radar observers.

(a) Each person in the required complement of deck officers, including the master, on inspected vessels of 300 gross tons or over which are radar equipped, shall hold an endorsement as radar observer.
(b) Each person who is employed or serves as pilot in accordance with Federal law on board vessels of 300 gross tons or over which are radar equipped, shall hold an endorsement as radar observer.
(c) Each person having to hold a license or MMC officer endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 8904(a) for employment or service as masteror mate on board an uninspected towing vessel of 8 meters (approximately 26 feet) or more in length must, if the vessel is equipped with radar, hold an endorsement as radar observer.
(d) Each person who is required to hold a radar endorsement must have their certificate of training readily available to demonstrate that the endorsement is still valid.
(e) For the purposes of this section, “readily available” means that the mariner must carry the original certificate of training or a notarized copy thereof onboard. Alternatively, the mariner must provide a copy of the certificate of training to the requesting entity within 48 hours. The requested material may be delivered either physically, electronically, or by facsimile.
[CGD 81-059, 52 FR 38652, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by CGD 94-041, 60 FR 8309, Feb. 14, 1995; CGD 95-028, 62 FR 51196, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2004-18884, 69 FR 58343, Sept. 30, 2004; USCG-2006-26202, 73 FR 52795, Sept. 11, 2008; USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11262, Mar. 16, 2009]