1-1-1. MERCHANT MARINE SAFETY

Merchant marine safety includes those Coast Guard activities and functions which govern the commercial merchant marine and pleasure-boating groups and have the primary purpose of promoting safety of life and property on such vessels. With respect to its use in this Manual, the phrase "merchant marine safety" is limited to those Coast Guard functions and activities coming under the general superintendence of the office of merchant marine safety. For clarity in administration, certain instructions are included in this Manual which deal with subjects coming under subordinate or collateral cognizance of this Office.

1-1-5. JURISDICTION

The Coast Guard has general superintendence over the commercial merchant marine and pleasure-boating group. Because Congressional policy is to legislate only where found necessary, the extent and scope of jurisdiction are specified in the various laws. Since the laws vary in their application a complete and accurate description in general terms of Coast Guard's jurisdiction is not practicable. The extent of this jurisdiction has to be determined in accordance with the governing details in each situation. However, under existing Federal laws and regulations the safety of certain types of vessels is comprehensively regulated, while other vessels are free from such regulations. The operation of certain types of vessels is prohibited until after a thorough inspection of such vessels is first made by Coast Guard marine inspectors. On the basis of actual inspection the Coast Guard must determine that such vessels have been designed and constructed so

1-1-7A(4). Miscellaneous vessels subject to some of the inspection laws:

(a) Sailing vessels over 700 gross tons carrying passengers for hire. (b) Barges over 100 tons burden carrying passengers for hire.

(c) Barges less than 100 gross tons carrying passengers while in tow of steamers.

(d) Seagoing barges over 100 gross tons.

(e) Non-self-propelled tankers (subject to all inspection laws).

(f) Foreign passenger vessels carrying passengers from ports of the United States and belonging to countries which have reciprocal inspection treaties with the United States.

(g) Foreign steam freight vessels carrying less than 17 persons in addition to the crew.

1-1-7A(5). Vessels not subject to any inspection laws:

(a) Inland motor vessels not carrying passengers or freight for hire.

(b) Inland and seagoing motor vessels below 15 gross tons.

(c) Seagoing motor vessels below 300 gross tons not carrying freight or passengers for hire.

(d) Motor vessels engaged in fishing, oystering, clamming, crabbing, or other branch of the fish, kelp, or sponge industry.

(e) Steam vessels under 65 feet in length except tugboats and towboats.

(f) Sail vessels not carrying passengers for hire.

(g) Sail vessels less than 700 gross tons carrying passengers for hire.

(h) Inland barges not carrying passengers for hire.

(i) Barges of less than 100 gross tons. (j) All merchant-type public vessels of the United States.

1-1-7B. Vessels Requiring Licensed Personnel By Law

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(a) Sail vessels over 700 g carrying passengers for hire officers as required by cert inspection.

(b) Uninspected seagoing sa over 200 gross tons: masters in charge of watch must be lice 1-1-7B(3). Motor vessels:

(a) Seagoing motor vessels gross tons: licensed officers quired by certificate of inspect:

(b) Uninspected seagoing mc sels over 200 gross tons; mates, and engineers in cha watch must be licensed.

(c) Motor tankers: licensed as required by certificates of in. (d) Inland motor vessels les. gross tons carrying passengers licensed operator.

(e) Inland motor vessels a gross tons and less than 65 feet carrying passengers or freight licensed operator.

(f) Inland motor vessels al gross tons and above 65 feet in carrying passengers or freight f licensed officers as required by cate of inspection.

(g) Seagoing motor vessels a gross tons carrying passengers of for hire: licensed officers as r by certificate of inspection.

1-1-7C. Vessels Not Requiring Licensed Personnel; Exemptions

1-1-7C(1). Motor vessels:

(a) Inland motor vessels not carrying passengers or freight for hire.

(b) Seagoing motor vessels below 200 gross tons not carrying freight or passengers for hire.

(c) Seagoing motor vessels below 15 gross tons.

1-1-7C(2). Steam vessels:

(a) Steam vessels under 65 feet in length not carrying passengers for hire except tugboats and towboats.

(b) Seagoing steam vessels under 65 feet in length except tugboats and tow

boats.

1-1-7C(3). Sail vessels:

(a) Inland sail vessels under 700 gross tons.

(b) Inland sail vessels over 700 gross tons not carrying passengers for hire. (c) Seagoing sail vessels below 200 gross tons.

1-1-7C(4). Others:

(a) Non-self-propelled vessels except tankers.

(b) Merchant-type public vessels of the United States.

1-1-10. RESPONSIBILITY FOR

ADMINISTRATION

The responsibility initially for the actual performance or administration of the laws, conventions, treaties, rules, and regulations regarding regarding navigation and vessel inspection is upon the Coast Guard personnel assigned these delegated functions and activities. Every person performing merchant marine safety duties will be held responsible for his actions. In the case of an accident or casualty he

may be held accountable. This responsibility comes from the fact that the administration of these requirements is delegated in accordance with law and is commensurate with the duties assigned. Congress by law has placed responsibility for administration of Coast Guard navigation and vessel inspection requirements in the Secretary of the Treasury, who has delegated this responsibility to the Commandant, to be performed under the general supervision of the Undersecretary of the Treasury. The Commandant in turn, by regulations and instructions, has further delegated these duties. Therefore, the Coast Guard, under the Commandant, is directly responsible for the performance of specific duties relating to merchant marine safety, as well as the administration and enforcement of a large part of the laws relating to navigation and shipping.

1-1-15. RESPONSIBILITY OF A MARINE INSPECTOR

The marine inspector or inspector assigned to a marine inspection office has definite responsibilities in connection with performing assigned duties under the immediate direction and supervision of an officer in charge, marine inspection. The marine inspector must be capable of interpreting written standards (as contained in laws, rules, regulations and instructions), apply them to assigned problems, and then initially determine if the governing minimum requirements have been met. The marine inspector must initially pass on the sufficiency of certain types of vessels used in the merchant marine and determine if such vessels are suitable and safe for the purposes intended, as well as state certain minimum requirements pertaining to life-saving appliances, firefighting, manning, etc., in accordance with established standards. These duties affect one of the largest industries in the United States. The marine inspectors in the performance of these duties must