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.

1996—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.

Amendment 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.