46 CFR 14.201: Voyages requiring shipping articles
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section says when shipping articles are required for voyages by vessels of the United States. The master or individual in charge must execute the articles before the voyage or before a mariner is engaged or replaced, and both the master or individual in charge and each mariner engaged or replaced must sign them. Paragraph (b) sets the voyage and GRT thresholds, except as provided by § 14.203 of this subpart.
Applies toMasters or individuals in charge of vessels or seagoing barges of the United States, and mariners engaged or replaced, on the voyages listed in paragraph (b).
What it says
Before the listed voyage, or before engaging or replacing a mariner for it, each master or individual in charge of a vessel or seagoing barge of the United States must execute shipping articles, prepared manually or electronically.
46 CFR 14.201(a)“each master or individual in charge of a vessel or seagoing barge of the United States must execute shipping articles however prepared, manually or electronically.”
The master or individual in charge and each mariner engaged or replaced must sign the articles.
46 CFR 14.201(a)“The master or individual in charge and each mariner engaged or replaced must sign the articles.”
Except as provided by § 14.203 of this subpart, articles are required upon each voyage by a vessel of the United States that falls under paragraph (b).
46 CFR 14.201(b)“Except as provided by § 14.203 of this subpart, articles are required upon each voyage by a vessel of the United States—”
Articles are required for a vessel of 100 GRT or more on a foreign voyage, which is a voyage from a port in the United States to any foreign port other than a port in Canada, Mexico, or the West Indies.
46 CFR 14.201(b)(1)“Of 100 GRT or more, on a foreign voyage, which is a voyage from a port in the United States to any foreign port other than a port in—”
Articles are required for a vessel of 75 GRT or more on a voyage between a port of the United States on the Atlantic Ocean and a port of the United States on the Pacific Coast.
46 CFR 14.201(b)(2)“Of 75 GRT or more on a voyage between a port of the United States on the Atlantic Ocean and a port of the United States on the Pacific Coast; or”
Articles are required for a vessel of 50 GRT or more on a voyage between a port in one State and a port in another State other than an adjoining State.
46 CFR 14.201(b)(3)“Of 50 GRT or more on a voyage between a port in one State and a port in another State other than an adjoining State.”
Common questions
Who must sign shipping articles?
The master or individual in charge must sign the articles. Each mariner engaged or replaced must also sign them.
“The master or individual in charge and each mariner engaged or replaced must sign the articles.”
Can shipping articles be prepared electronically?
Yes. The master or individual in charge must execute the articles however prepared, manually or electronically.
“must execute shipping articles however prepared, manually or electronically.”
Are shipping articles required for a foreign voyage to Canada or Mexico?
Under paragraph (b)(1), a foreign voyage means a voyage to any foreign port other than a port in Canada, Mexico, or the West Indies. So those ports are not covered by that paragraph.
“Of 100 GRT or more, on a foreign voyage, which is a voyage from a port in the United States to any foreign port other than a port in—”
Is there an exception to the shipping articles requirement?
Yes. The requirement in paragraph (b) applies except as provided by § 14.203 of this subpart.
“Except as provided by § 14.203 of this subpart, articles are required upon each voyage by a vessel of the United States—”
The text of 46 CFR 14.201
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Voyages upon which shipping articles are required
(a) Before proceeding either upon a foreign, intercoastal, or coastwise voyage (including a voyage on the Great Lakes) listed in paragraph (b) of this section or with the engagement or replacement of a merchant mariner for such a voyage, each master or individual in charge of a vessel or seagoing barge of the United States must execute shipping articles however prepared, manually or electronically. The master or individual in charge and each mariner engaged or replaced must sign the articles.
(b) Except as provided by § 14.203 of this subpart, articles are required upon each voyage by a vessel of the United States—
(1) Of 100 GRT or more, on a foreign voyage, which is a voyage from a port in the United States to any foreign port other than a port in—
(i) Canada;
(ii) Mexico; or
(iii) The West Indies.
(2) Of 75 GRT or more on a voyage between a port of the United States on the Atlantic Ocean and a port of the United States on the Pacific Coast; or
(3) Of 50 GRT or more on a voyage between a port in one State and a port in another State other than an adjoining State.
Sections it refers to
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.