Skip to main content
 
CFR

46 CFR 15.730 - Language requirements.

There is 1 rule appearing in the Federal Register for 46 CFR 15. Select the tab below to view, or View eCFR (GPOAccess)
prev | next
§ 15.730
Language requirements.
(a) The provisions of 46 U.S.C. 8702 relating to language apply generally to vessels of at least 100 gross tons except:
(1) Vessels operating on rivers and lakes (except the Great Lakes);
(2) A manned barge (except a seagoing barge or a barge to which chapter 37 of 46 U.S.C. applies);
(3) A fishing vessel, fish tender vessel, whaling vessel, or 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 which entered into service before January 1, 1988, and is not more than 1600 gross tons or which enters into service after December 31, 1987, and has not more than 16 individuals on board primarily employed in the preparation of fish or fish products; and,
(7) All fish processing vessels with respect to those personnel primarily employed in the preparation of fish or fish products or in a support position not related to navigation.
(b) 46 U.S.C. 8702(b) requires that on board vessels departing U.S. ports 75 percent of the crew in each department on board is able to understand any order spoken by the officers.
(c) The words able to understand any order spoken by the officers relates to any order to a member of the crew when directing the performance of that person's duties and orders relating to emergency situations such as used for response to a fire or in using lifesaving equipment. It is not expected that a member of the deck department understand terminology normally used only in the engineroom or vice versa.
(d) Whenever information is presented to the Coast Guard that a vessel fails to comply with the specified language requirements the Coast Guard investigates the allegation to determine its validity. In determining if an allegation is factual, the Coast Guard may require a demonstration by the officers and crew that appropriate orders are understood. The demonstration will require that orders be spoken to the individual members of the crew by the officers in the language ordinarily and customarily used by the officers. The orders must be spoken directly by the officer to the crew member and not through an interpreter. Signs, gestures, or signals may not be used in the test. The Coast Guard representative will specify the orders to be given and will include not only daily routine but orders involving emergencies, either of a departmental or of a general nature. This test will be conducted, if possible, at a time reasonably in advance of the vessel's departure, to avoid delays.
[CGD 81-059, 52 FR 38652, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11262, Mar. 16, 2009]

Title 46 published on 2012-10-01

The following are only the Rules published in the Federal Register after the published date of Title 46.

For a complete list of all Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices view the Rulemaking tab.

  • 2012-10-15; vol. 77 # 199 - Monday, October 15, 2012
    1. 77 FR 62434 - Policy Letters on the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978
      GPO FDSys XML | Text
      DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, Coast Guard
      Notice of availability.
      The three letters are available for viewing beginning October 15, 2012.
      33 CFR Part 104

This is a list of United States Code sections, Statutes at Large, Public Laws, and Presidential Documents, which provide rulemaking authority for this CFR Part.

This list is taken from the Parallel Table of Authorities and Rules provided by GPO [Government Printing Office].

It is not guaranteed to be accurate or up-to-date, though we do refresh the database weekly. More limitations on accuracy are described at the GPO site.

United States Code
USC : Title 46 - SHIPPING

§ 2101 - General definitions

§ 2103 - Superintendence of the merchant marine

§ 3306 - Regulations

§ 3703 - Regulations

§ 8101 - Complement of inspected vessels

§ 8102 - Watchmen

§ 8104 - Watches

§ 8105 - Fishing vessel exemption

§ 8301 - Minimum number of licensed individuals

§ 8304 - Implementing the Officers’ Competency Certificates Convention, 1936

§ 8502 - Federal pilots required

§ 8503 - Federal pilots authorized

§ 8701 - Merchant mariners’ documents required

§ 8702 - Certain crew requirements

§ 8901 - Freight vessels

§ 8902 - Small passenger vessels

§ 8903 - Self-propelled, uninspected passenger vessels

§ 8904 - Towing vessels

§ 8905 - Exemptions

§ 8906 - Penalty

§ 9102 - Standards for tank vessels of the United States

§ 70105 - Transportation security cards

Title 46 published on 2012-10-01

The following are ALL rules, proposed rules, and notices (chronologically) published in the Federal Register relating to 46 CFR 15 after this date.

  • 2012-10-15; vol. 77 # 199 - Monday, October 15, 2012
    1. 77 FR 62434 - Policy Letters on the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978
      GPO FDSys XML | Text
      DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, Coast Guard
      Notice of availability.
      The three letters are available for viewing beginning October 15, 2012.
      33 CFR Part 104