46 CFR 11.803: Staff departments on U.S. flag vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section points to Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 for the requirements for staff departments on U.S. flag vessels. It also lists three kinds of vessels to which that statute does not apply.

Applies toU.S. flag vessels, except the vessels listed in paragraph (b).

What it says

  1. Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 contains the requirements for staff departments on U.S. flag vessels.

    46 CFR 11.803(a)“Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 contains the requirements for staff departments on U.S. flag vessels.”

  2. Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 does not apply to a fishing or whaling vessel or yacht.

    46 CFR 11.803(b)(1)“A fishing or whaling vessel or yacht;”

  3. Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 does not apply to a vessel operated only on bays, sounds, inland waters, and lakes, other than the Great Lakes.

    46 CFR 11.803(b)(2)“A vessel operated only on bays, sounds, inland waters, and lakes (other than the Great Lakes); and”

  4. Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 does not apply to a vessel ferrying passengers and cars on the Great Lakes.

    46 CFR 11.803(b)(3)“A vessel ferrying passengers and cars on the Great Lakes.”

Common questions

Where are the staff department requirements for U.S. flag vessels?

Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 contains the requirements for staff departments on U.S. flag vessels.

“Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 contains the requirements for staff departments on U.S. flag vessels.”

Does the staff department law apply to fishing vessels?

No. Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 does not apply to a fishing or whaling vessel or yacht.

“A fishing or whaling vessel or yacht;”

Does the staff department law apply to Great Lakes car ferries?

No. Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 does not apply to a vessel ferrying passengers and cars on the Great Lakes.

“A vessel ferrying passengers and cars on the Great Lakes.”

The text of 46 CFR 11.803

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Staff departments

(a) Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 contains the requirements for staff departments on U.S. flag vessels.

(b) Title 46 U.S.C. 8302 does not apply to—

(1) A fishing or whaling vessel or yacht;

(2) A vessel operated only on bays, sounds, inland waters, and lakes (other than the Great Lakes); and

(3) A vessel ferrying passengers and cars on the Great Lakes.

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.