46 CFR 14.403: Exemptions for oceanographic research vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says certain requirements of Title 46, United States Code do not apply to the employment of merchant mariners on oceanographic research vessels. The exemptions come with terms that keep other statutory protections and require the master to address mariner complaints. The Commandant may grant exemptions from the listed sections of 46 U.S.C.

Applies toOceanographic research vessels, including those sailing with any mariner employed by any firm, association, corporation, or educational or governmental body or agency.

What it says

  1. Certain requirements of Title 46, United States Code do not apply to the employment of merchant mariners on oceanographic research vessels.

    46 CFR 14.403(a)“Certain requirements of Title 46, United States Code do not apply to the employment of merchant mariners on oceanographic research vessels.”

  2. The requirements that do not apply concern, among other things, the shipment and discharge of mariners, their pay and allotments, and the adequacy of their clothing.

    46 CFR 14.403(a)“These requirements are those concerned with, among other things, the shipment and discharge of mariners, their pay and allotments, and the adequacy of their clothing.”

  3. Using an exemption does not relieve the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge of the vessel of other statutory responsibilities for the protection of every mariner under their command.

    46 CFR 14.403(a)(1)“No use of any exemption relieves the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge of the vessel of other statutory responsibilities for the protection of every mariner under their command.”

  4. If it is provided at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner, the master or individual in charge must receive, consider, and appropriately address the legitimate complaint of any mariner.

    46 CFR 14.403(a)(2)“If it is provided at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner, the master or individual in charge must receive, consider, and appropriately address the legitimate complaint of any mariner.”

  5. For an oceanographic research vessel sailing with any mariner employed by any firm, association, corporation, or educational or governmental body or agency, the Commandant may grant exemptions from the listed sections of 46 U.S.C.

    46 CFR 14.403(b)“For any oceanographic research vessel sailing with any mariner employed by any firm, association, corporation, or educational or governmental body or agency, the Commandant may grant exemptions from—”

Common questions

Who may grant exemptions for oceanographic research vessels?

The Commandant may grant the exemptions listed in paragraph (b) for oceanographic research vessels sailing with mariners employed by the listed kinds of employers.

“For any oceanographic research vessel sailing with any mariner employed by any firm, association, corporation, or educational or governmental body or agency, the Commandant may grant exemptions from—”

Does an exemption remove the owner's or master's responsibility for mariner protection?

No. Using an exemption does not relieve the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge of other statutory responsibilities for protecting every mariner under their command.

“No use of any exemption relieves the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge of the vessel of other statutory responsibilities for the protection of every mariner under their command.”

What must a master do about a mariner's complaint on an exempt vessel?

If the complaint is provided at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner, the master or individual in charge must receive, consider, and appropriately address any legitimate complaint.

“If it is provided at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner, the master or individual in charge must receive, consider, and appropriately address the legitimate complaint of any mariner.”

The text of 46 CFR 14.403

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Exemptions

(a) Certain requirements of Title 46, United States Code do not apply to the employment of merchant mariners on oceanographic research vessels. These requirements are those concerned with, among other things, the shipment and discharge of mariners, their pay and allotments, and the adequacy of their clothing. 46 U.S.C. 2113(2) allows exemptions of oceanographic research vessels from certain requirements of parts B, C, F, or G of subtitle II of 46 U.S.C., upon such terms as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security deems suitable. The exemptions available under this subpart are subject to the following terms:

(1) No use of any exemption relieves the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge of the vessel of other statutory responsibilities for the protection of every mariner under their command.

(2) If it is provided at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner, the master or individual in charge must receive, consider, and appropriately address the legitimate complaint of any mariner.

(b) For any oceanographic research vessel sailing with any mariner employed by any firm, association, corporation, or educational or governmental body or agency, the Commandant may grant exemptions from—

(1) 46 U.S.C. 10301, Application;

(2) 46 U.S.C. 10302, Shipping articles (for foreign and intercoastal voyages);

(3) 46 U.S.C. 10307, Posting of articles;

(4) 46 U.S.C. 10308, Foreign engagements;

(5) 46 U.S.C. 10311, Certificates of discharge;

(6) 46 U.S.C. 10313 and 10504, Wages;

(7) 46 U.S.C. 10314 and 10505, Advances;

(8) 46 U.S.C. 10315, Allotments;

(9) 46 U.S.C. 10316 and 10506, Trusts;

(10) 46 U.S.C. 10321 and 10508, General penalties;

(11) 46 U.S.C. 10502, Shipping articles (for coastwise voyages); and

(12) 46 U.S.C. 10509, Penalty for failure to begin coastwise voyages.

Sections it refers to

  • 46 U.S.C. 2113(2)
  • 46 U.S.C. 10301
  • 46 U.S.C. 10302
  • 46 U.S.C. 10307
  • 46 U.S.C. 10308
  • 46 U.S.C. 10311
  • 46 U.S.C. 10313
  • 46 U.S.C. 10504
  • 46 U.S.C. 10314
  • 46 U.S.C. 10505
  • 46 U.S.C. 10315
  • 46 U.S.C. 10316

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 March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.