46 CFR 14.405: Exemption procedures for oceanographic research vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets the procedure for exemptions of oceanographic research vessels from requirements of sections listed by § 14.403(b). A written request goes to the Coast Guard OCMI, who forwards it to the Commandant for decision. The vessel must keep any exemption letter aboard.

Applies toIt applies to oceanographic research vessels designated by 46 U.S.C. 2113(2) and to their owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge.

What it says

  1. The Commandant may grant an exemption to an oceanographic research vessel designated by 46 U.S.C. 2113(2) from any requirement of any section listed by § 14.403(b), upon a written request to the Coast Guard OCMI in whose zone the vessel is located.

    46 CFR 14.405(a)“the Commandant may grant an exemption of any oceanographic research vessel designated by 46 U.S.C. 2113(2) from any requirement of any section listed by § 14.403(b).”

  2. The request must state any requirement of any section listed in § 14.403(b) from which the applicant wishes an exemption.

    46 CFR 14.405(b)(1)“Any requirement of any section listed in § 14.403(b) from which the applicant wishes an exemption; and”

  3. The request must state what business practices would justify the exemption, including practices on shipment and discharge of merchant mariners, their pay and allotments, and the adequacy of their clothing.

    46 CFR 14.405(b)(2)“What business practices regarding, among other things, the shipment and discharge of merchant mariners, their pay and allotments, and the adequacy of their clothing would justify the exemption.”

  4. The Coast Guard OCMI will forward the request and their recommendation to the Commandant, who will determine whether to grant any exemption.

    46 CFR 14.405(c)“The Coast Guard OCMI will forward the request, along with their recommendation, to the Commandant, who will determine whether to grant any exemption of any vessel from any requirement.”

  5. The master or individual in charge of the vessel must keep the exemption letter aboard the vessel.

    46 CFR 14.405(c)“The master or individual in charge of the vessel must keep the letter aboard the vessel.”

  6. If operating conditions change, the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge must advise the Coast Guard OCMI in whose zone the vessel is located.

    46 CFR 14.405(d)“If operating conditions change, the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge of the vessel must so advise the Coast Guard OCMI in whose zone the vessel is located.”

  7. The Commandant determines whether an exemption should remain granted, based on information the OCMI forwards about the changed conditions and the OCMI's recommendation.

    46 CFR 14.405(d)“who will determine whether any exemption should remain granted.”

Common questions

Who decides on an oceanographic research vessel exemption request?

The Commandant determines whether to grant an exemption. The Coast Guard OCMI forwards the request with a recommendation.

“The Coast Guard OCMI will forward the request, along with their recommendation, to the Commandant, who will determine whether to grant any exemption of any vessel from any requirement.”

Where must the exemption letter be kept?

The master or individual in charge of the vessel must keep the letter aboard the vessel.

“The master or individual in charge of the vessel must keep the letter aboard the vessel.”

What must a request for an exemption state?

It must state the requirement from which the applicant wants an exemption. It must also state the business practices that would justify the exemption.

“The request must state—”

What happens if operating conditions change after an exemption is granted?

The owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge must advise the Coast Guard OCMI. The Commandant then determines whether the exemption should remain granted.

“If operating conditions change, the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge of the vessel must so advise the Coast Guard OCMI in whose zone the vessel is located.”

The text of 46 CFR 14.405

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

Procedures

(a) Upon written request for the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge of the vessel to the Coast Guard OCMI in whose zone the vessel is located, the Commandant may grant an exemption of any oceanographic research vessel designated by 46 U.S.C. 2113(2) from any requirement of any section listed by § 14.403(b).

(b) The request must state—

(1) Any requirement of any section listed in § 14.403(b) from which the applicant wishes an exemption; and

(2) What business practices regarding, among other things, the shipment and discharge of merchant mariners, their pay and allotments, and the adequacy of their clothing would justify the exemption.

(c) The Coast Guard OCMI will forward the request, along with their recommendation, to the Commandant, who will determine whether to grant any exemption of any vessel from any requirement. The Coast Guard will issue a letter indicating any exemption granted. The master or individual in charge of the vessel must keep the letter aboard the vessel.

(d) If operating conditions change, the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge of the vessel must so advise the Coast Guard OCMI in whose zone the vessel is located. The Coast Guard OCMI will forward pertinent information on how the conditions have changed, along with their recommendation, to the Commandant, who will determine whether any exemption should remain granted.

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.