46 CFR 14.209: Preparing shipping articles at voyage start
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers how shipping articles are prepared when they are required. The master or individual in charge of a vessel must prepare an original and two copies. The original and one copy must be signed, and the second copy must not be signed.
Applies toEach master or individual in charge of a vessel when shipping articles are required.
What it says
Each master or individual in charge of a vessel must prepare an original and two copies of the articles when shipping articles are required.
“Each master or individual in charge of a vessel when shipping articles are required must prepare an original and two copies of the articles.”
The master or individual in charge and each merchant mariner must sign the original and one copy of the articles.
“The original and one copy must be signed by the master or individual in charge and by each merchant mariner;”
The second copy must not be signed by the master or individual in charge or by any merchant mariner.
“but the second copy must not be signed by any of them.”
Common questions
How many copies of shipping articles must be prepared?
The master or individual in charge must prepare an original and two copies of the articles when shipping articles are required.
“must prepare an original and two copies of the articles.”
Who signs the shipping articles?
The master or individual in charge and each merchant mariner must sign the original and one copy. The second copy must not be signed by any of them.
“The original and one copy must be signed by the master or individual in charge and by each merchant mariner;”
The text of 46 CFR 14.209
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Preparation of shipping articles at beginning of voyage
Each master or individual in charge of a vessel when shipping articles are required must prepare an original and two copies of the articles. The original and one copy must be signed by the master or individual in charge and by each merchant mariner; but the second copy must not be signed by any of them.
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.